# Dog repellent to prevent dogs pooping on lawn? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 2, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317 "2026-02-02T19:03:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/21 "2026-02-03T14:58:40Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Somehow you’d think we could mesh these things where it would work for human and dog. 🤔 It’s real easy: have your dog shit on your lawn, not anyone else’s. The problem here is not the existence of dogs and poop. The problem is the existence of selfish shitty dog owners. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/22 "2026-02-03T15:10:17Z")
At the hardware store they have stuff called “critter ridder” which may help. I’ve used it to keep critters away from my cars. Although I wasn’t using it for dogs, my dogs didn’t seem to like the smell and would not get close to the car. You could try something like that for a while. Dogs develop habits of where they go. If you can keep them away from your lawn for a while, they may get in the habit of going somewhere else. If you also put up a pesticide sign like this at the same time: > **[Amazon.com : Caution Pesticide Application Keep Off Sign With Stand for Yard...](https://www.amazon.com/Caution-Pesticide-Application-Bend-Proof-Aluminum/dp/B0CM65J7D6)** > > Amazon.com : Caution Pesticide Application Keep Off Sign With Stand for Yard Lawn Stay Off Grass for Fence 28" Bend-Proof Stake Metal Kit 10" x 7" Aluminum : Patio, Lawn & Garden People would think the smell was from the pesticide application and naturally keep their distance. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/23 "2026-02-03T17:45:33Z")
I mean, seriously I wouldn’t go Wiley Coyote, building elaborate devices and putting up signs. I think if this was happening to me I’d spend my energy just picking up the offensive poopies. There are gonna be bad owners. Cannot control that. There are gonna be dogs and other animals free running who, omg, just poop when nature calls, wherever they happen to be. Again, you have no control over it. Well, short of sitting out there in a lawn chair with bear spray. Curb your dog. Whatever that means exactly, I don’t know? But I thought it meant don’t let your dog poop where people walk. Yeah, buy a supply of dog poop baggies and plastic gloves. I know it’s gross, what else you gonna do? ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/24 "2026-02-03T17:50:14Z")
You could throw some soapy sponges around the front yard. My dog takes off like a shot whenever she sees one. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2026, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/25 "2026-02-03T17:52:09Z")
At the very least, get a Ring doorbell camera (assuming the lawn in in the field of view) to identify which pet owners are letting their dogs do this. Once you’ve done this, you can decide how to respond, including perhaps by returning the deposits to their front door. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/26 "2026-02-04T01:09:06Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > You could throw some soapy sponges around the front yard. My dog takes off like a shot whenever she sees one Put a few vaccuum cleaners along the edge of the grass. No more problems! ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/27 "2026-02-04T01:26:49Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > Put a few vaccuum cleaners along the edge of the grass. No more problems! I was thinking setting a Roomba on patrol might work but probably not cost effective (and since it can only run an hour or two probably not effective at all). ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/28 "2026-02-04T01:45:42Z")
[Mr Burns voice] Smithers! Release the jaguars! [/Mr Burns voice] ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/29 "2026-02-04T02:22:20Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > There are gonna be dogs and other animals free running who, omg, just poop when nature calls, wherever they happen to be. I guess if you live out in the middle of nowhere there may be dogs running free but that is such a bizarre idea. I’ve never lived in a place that just had dogs running around like it was something normal. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/30 "2026-02-04T02:49:52Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I mean, seriously I wouldn’t go Wiley Coyote, building elaborate devices and putting up signs. > > I think if this was happening to me I’d spend my energy just picking up the offensive poopies. > > There are gonna be bad owners. Cannot control that. There are gonna be dogs and other animals free running who, omg, just poop when nature calls, wherever they happen to be. Again, you have no control over it. Good points, i agree. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Once you’ve done this, you can decide how to respond, including perhaps by returning the deposits to their front door. That could well be illegal. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I guess if you live out in the middle of nowhere there may be dogs running free but that is such a bizarre idea I live in suburbia, and yep, there are stray dogs around, fairly often. The Pound is full of them. I dont always agree with Beck, but here they have a solid point. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/31 "2026-02-04T02:51:41Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Once you’ve done this, you can decide how to respond, including perhaps by returning the deposits to their front door. > > That could well be illegal. And letting your dog shit on someone else’s lawn is legal? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/32 "2026-02-04T02:55:40Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And letting your dog shit on someone else’s lawn is legal? A local ordinance in CA, with local fines of up to $500. Malicious mischief OTOH is a Misdemeanor, with up to a year in jail and $5000 in penalties. So, dont do it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/33 "2026-02-04T02:57:22Z")
I was simply suggesting returning the discarded item to them. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/34 "2026-02-04T02:58:59Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I was simply suggesting returning the discarded item to them. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Malicious mischief OTOH is a Misdemeanor, with up to a year in jail and $5000 in penalties. Very likely illegal. Dont do it. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/35 "2026-02-04T03:00:34Z")
Thank you for the advice, counselor. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/36 "2026-02-04T04:10:56Z")
Dogs get out. Dogs get lost. Coyotes roam suburbia. Raccoons roam neighborhoods. I suspect out it rural areas if your dog runs loose you may never see it again. Various reasons. The only dogs we have roaming free around here are dumped here by people from towns and suburbs. I’ve spent loads of time and money catching befriending, cleaning, feeding and vetting these animals. And then tryna find homes for them. So yeah. I’m amazed the amount of loose pet animals I see in town. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/37 "2026-02-04T04:45:35Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve spent loads of time and money catching befriending, cleaning, feeding and vetting these animals. And then tryna find homes for them. So yeah. That’s really awesome. Truly a wonderful thing you are doing, I hope some of them were able to find homes! Oh I know sometimes pets may get out and strays exist, my parents dog is actually a rescue who was found in Brooklyn, but I think I can only remember twice actually seeing a loose dog and it was _definitely_ not a usual thing. Long Island suburbs and NYC. Dog poop on a suburban lawn would always make me think an owner walking their dog rather than a stray. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/38 "2026-02-04T04:47:45Z")
I agree..and I think this is what the OP is dealing with. Sounds like a neighbor dispute. Just my take. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/39 "2026-02-04T05:00:42Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Coyotes roam suburbia. Raccoons roam neighborhoods. Yeah, there was poop in my backyard, and i had to tell my gardener it was racoon poop, not cat poop (we dont let our cats out). > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ve spent loads of time and money catching befriending, cleaning, feeding and vetting these animals. And then tryna find homes for them. So yeah. Good on you. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317/40 "2026-02-04T05:10:46Z")
Well, I did my bit. Not so active anymore. I did help get a countywide shelter in place around here. So when we get hobo animals(not all dogs) my Son takes them to the shelter now. And I still donate regularly. I would foster still but we are dominated by kids and pets. So it’s better I sponsor some animals from a distance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dog-repellent-to-prevent-dogs-pooping-on-lawn/1027317.md?page=3)