The Psychology Of Making People Pick-Up After Their Dogs

Dad, the ball just went into the dog doody again! Isntmake the dog walker who may be dog-duty
this ridiculous? Ridiculous that we have to worry aboutdelinquent feel? How they feel, will no doubt impact
a domesticated animal that is owned by aupon their actions or lack thereof.
human-being crapping on our property and not having itThe lawn sign must not be insulting or disparaging, or it
picked up!quite possibly can have opposite of the intended
We all know about pooper scooper laws- and howeffect. A sign that may strike a chord psychologically
the majority of dog owners abide by them. However,with the dog walker is what will be most effective.
we also know that the fines are small, and how theFor example;
law is often inadequately enforced. For instance, inWhat if the signs text was tied to children- and the
New York City in 2004 there were only 471 ticketedinnocence of youth? Most dog walkers either have, or
dog-waste violations! (Source: The N.Y. Times- 10/2have had kids, so certainly this may resonate well with
05)them. Thus the sign may read Kids @ Play, Please
When dog waste remains on our streets or sidewalks,Keep Poop Away.
rain water picks up harmful pathogens from the wasteOr how about a sign containing a subtle dig, conveying
and delivers them into our waterways. This waterthat your lawn is important to you?- One that gently
pollution leads to risk of infection and viruses, unsafelets the potential culprit know that you take care of
drinking water, beach closings and unhealthy boatingyour lawn and that you care about your property, such
and fishing. (Source: Hemp- stead Harbor Protectionas Thanks, But Weve Already Fertilized.
Committee). DNA sampling of all licensed dogs hasWho doesnt remember the slogan Keep America
been proposed in Austria (Source: MSNBC.com- 5/23Beautiful? In these patriotic times, a sign that reads
05). But we all know that this problem will likely continueKeep America Beautiful, Please Curb Your Dog! is
to persist worldwide.certainly sure to make most offenders think twice
The answer for people who have had enough? Thebefore committing an irresponsible and inconsiderate
only reasonable solution is the posting of a lawn signact.
that will deter dog walkers from letting their poochesFor those that the only deterrent may be the fear of
defecate on your property, or at a minimum, at leastgetting caught in the act, the sign Area Patrolled By
guilt them into picking up after their dog.CrapCam plants a seed of doubt that maybe
The key however is what kind of lawn sign. What willsomeone is watching them.
the sign say, and how psychologically these words will