Picking up dog poop is an unpleasant but necessary task for all dog owners. However, for blind and visually impaired people who rely on guide dogs, it presents some unique challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the various methods and tools blind people use to successfully pick up after their dogs.
Why is picking up dog poop important?
First, it’s important to understand why blind people need to pick up their dogs’ waste, just like any other dog owner. Leaving dog poop on the ground is unsanitary, spreads bacteria and disease, and makes paths slippery and hazardous. Dog waste also gives off an unpleasant odor and can attract insects. Cities and towns often have strict laws requiring owners to clean up after their pets in public areas. So blind people have a personal and civic responsibility to pick up after their dogs, despite not being able to see the waste.
Using the dog’s cues
For blind dog owners, the process often starts with paying close attention to the dog’s own cues and behaviors. Guide dogs are trained to poop on command with a verbal cue from their owner like “Get busy.” When the dog is relieving itself, the blind owner will hear where the dog is and pinpoint its location. Sometimes the dog may give an indication, like a change in pace or a specific movement, when it needs to poop during a walk. The owner learns their own dog’s signals so they know when to expect waste.
Tools for locating and picking up waste
Once the dog has finished pooping, blind owners rely on different tools and techniques to find and clean it up:
- Guide ropes – A guide rope can be dropped on the ground near where the dog pooped. The owner uses the rope to estimate the location of the feces and slowly sweep the area in a spiral pattern until making contact.
- Pooper scoopers – Long handled scoopers help blind owners pick up waste without having to bend down and find it by hand. The flat scooper head makes it easier to feel and scoop.
- Disposable gloves – Wearing gloves allows blind people to use their hands to find and pick up waste while minimizing contact and risk of contamination.
- Ziplock bags – Carrying a supply of plastic bags makes it easy to scoop up and contain the poop for disposal.
- GPS apps – Some blind dog owners use detailed voice GPS navigation to mark the location of poop and find their way back to it later if they can’t clean it up immediately.
Using a sighted guide
In some cases, such as late at night or in very rural areas, blind people may have a sighted companion to assist with poop duty. The sighted guide first verbally directs the blind owner to where the dog pooped. The blind person then uses their tools and techniques, following the sighted guide’s instructions, to locate and clean it up. Having occasional sighted assistance can make the process faster and easier when needed.
Training dogs to poop in specific areas
In addition to the cleanup process, some blind dog owners train their dogs to only poop in certain designated areas. For example, teaching them to only poop along the sidewalk edge or roadside curb. This training takes patience but helps concentrate the waste in predictable areas that are easier to find. Some also teach their dogs to poop on command when they reach a suitable location.
Dealing with guide dog distractions
Cleaning up after guide dogs also requires dealing with the realistic risk of distraction or misbehavior. When their owner is preoccupied scooping poop, dogs may wander or try to play. Strategies for handling distractions include:
- Putting the dog in a sit-stay or down-stay first
- Asking the dog to wait and reinforcing training
- Having the dog tethered and in harness during clean up
- Giving verbal corrections and praise for good behavior
With patience and practice, guide dogs learn to be calm and obedient during the scooping process.
Choosing dog waste areas carefully
To make the cleanup job a bit simpler, blind people often train their dogs to poop in locations that are easier to manage. Grass or dirt areas are preferable to concrete or asphalt. Owners find suitable patches of ground off the main path where they can detect and contain the waste. Locations with no foot traffic and that won’t contaminate waterways or public parks are ideal.
Cleanup on walks and in home areas
The cleanup process is different when walking a guide dog in public areas compared to home turfs. On neighborhood or city walks, the owner packs supplies like bags and a scooper and looks for ground the dog prefers. At home, some dogs are trained to poop in a designated side yard or backyard corner. This contained area simplifies the cleanup chore, especially in bad weather when following a dog out isn’t convenient.
Making cleanup part of a dog walking routine
With practice, many blind owners are able to make dog poop pickup a standard part of the walk routine. The dog is relieved at expected locations, and the owner takes their time to carefully but efficiently clean it up. Having an established process and rhythm reduces frustration and guesswork.
Community awareness about guide dog cleanup
An important part of supporting blind residents is community awareness around guide dog cleanup. If members of the public notice uncollected dog poop from a guide dog team, the appropriate response is patience and consideration rather than judgment. Kindly checking if the blind owner needs assistance gives them a chance to take care of it.
Working as a team with their dog
At the end of the day, successfully picking up dog poop requires blind owners and their dogs to work together as a team. The dog’s cues help identify when and where they poop. And smart handling by the blind person completes the cleanup. With repeated practice, the duo learns to communicate effectively and turn an unpleasant chore into a manageable task.
Conclusion
Though unable to see dog waste on the ground, blind people are very capable of picking up after their indispensable guide dogs. Using clever tools, handling techniques, training, and teamwork with their animal, blind dog owners are responsible pet parents. Picking up poop keeps communities clean and demonstrates that vision loss doesn’t have to be an obstacle when you have patience, routine and the right resources.