should i get a dog?

Question
I really want a dog.  The only thing stopping me is the thought of having to clear up it's mess (if you not what i mean).  I know you can get pooper-scoopers now, but I don't whether this would help as I will still have too look at it, smell it etc.  Can you give me some advice, pls.

Answer
Hi Kayla,

You didn't say what part of having a pet dog appealed to you, if you ever owned a pet (of any kind), or if you had other concerns regarding training a dog, veterinarian expenses, how that dog would fit into your life or work schedule, or even what kind of dog to get. Those are the issues that people seem to dwell upon when considering whether or not to get a dog.

Although I've picked up a fair amount of dog poop in my time, in actuality, it's not as bad as having to change a baby's diapers. Both are acts of love and responsibility, but a dog's excrement is less messy.

I've never used a pooper scooper. My technique is to swiftly place newspaper under my dog as he starts to squat. The newspaper gets rolled up and deposited in a garbage can. Of course, you can buy pooper scoopers, some of which are elaborate and even save you from bending over. Maybe it's just a matter of choosing the right style pooper scooper. Here's two that seems to limit the dog owner's contact with the offending poo:

http://www.pixitup.com/
http://scoopandsackit.com/Products.htm

Depending on where you live, there are dog waste removal services you can hire that will go around and pick up dog waste from your yard.

Nobody likes the smell of it, and you certainly don't need to look at it, but it is a fact of dog ownership that is mandated by law in many communities.

If it's a really big issue to you that over shadows all the positive aspects of dog ownership, then it simply may be that owning a dog isn't for you. We all have our "line in the sand" after all.

I'd advise you to consider getting a small dog (15-20lbs), since they don't have the output that larger dogs have. What you feed a dog has a huge influence on the size and volume, texture and smell of it's waste. Super premium dog foods are more expensive, but sound like the way you should go (no pun intended). The by-products of a really good quality dog food are fewer, firmer stools that are nearly odor free.

Perhaps if you look at the poop picking up situation this this way:
Be proud to be seen picking up dog poop! It may seem silly at first, but people who see you do this will know any mess left behind is NOT from your dog.  Picking up shows pride in your community, in yourself, and in your dog. You set a great example for others, and you help create a brighter future for dogs and their people.

I hope I've been a help.

Best of luck,
Patti