When it comes to knowing how to pick the right dog pooper scooper, there is probably a bit more to it than you realize. There are hundreds of options available on the market, but they don't all offer the same features. Knowing how to choose the right dog pooper scooper depends on your dog's size, where he normally goes to the bathroom and you physical condition.
If you're thinking that you may not even need to invest in a dog pooper scooper, think again! This is a necessary tool that every dog owner should have. Picking up and cleaning up after your dog is important for ethical and environmenal reasons, so if you don't own a pet poop scooper, you'll end up having to pick up after your dog with your hands.
I have a large yard where our dogs can run, play and do their business. Our dogs have been trained to go out into the forest that surrounds our property when they need to use the bathroom. However, there are times when our dogs aren't feeling well or the weather is severe and they don't want to go all the way to the woods to use the bathroom.
Likewise, everyone has to travel with their dogs now and then. When we go to the vet, take our dogs for a ride while running errands or visit family and friends, I bring along a pooper scooper to clean up after them.
Leaving dog poop in a public area is not only disgusting and disrespectful to everyone else that uses the land, it's also bad for the environment.
According to Live Science, the 83 million dogs living in the U.S. produce more than 10 tons of poop every year! This waste may contain bacteria, parasites or viruses. Once these things leach into the ground, they could contaminate the water supply in the area.
This is why it is important that every pet owner cleans up after their dog. Without the right equipment, you'll have to pick up the waste with your hands. Eww! But, if you know how to pick the right dog pooper scooper, you can find one that will be able to pick up the poo on every surface – leaving your hands free and clean!
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How to Pick the Right Dog Pooper Scooper
When you're learning how to pick the right dog pooper scooper, you need to think about finding a product that is going to be easy for you to use and capable of cleaning up after your pet. First, you'll want a scooper that is easy to use and allows you to pick up poop completely hands-free. Isn't that the point of having a dog pooper scooper anyway?
Try the pet poop scooper before you buy it. Use it in the store to make sure that it is easy to open. This is especially important for any dog owner that has weak hands or wrists, because most scoopers require you to squeeze the handle to open the scoop.
Consider the height of the scooper. As you can see in my video guide, I have a dog poop scooper that allows me to pick up my dog's waste without having to bend over. This is especially important if you have trouble with your back or legs. Pooper scoopers can be a life saver for pet owners who are recovering from an injury or have arthritis.
You'll also want to find a pet poop scooper that is lightweight and compact. Chances are, you're going to be using your pooper scooper while walking a dog in public areas or visiting with friends. The product you choose needs to be light enough to carry comfortably.
I've tested many dog poop scoopers for my previous reviews and comparisons, but for those wondering, in the video I'm using the Advance Pooper Scooper from Quality Pet Products.
As you can see, it conveniently folds in half for easy transport. This is ideal for dog owners like me who carry a doggy pooper scooper in their vehicle. A lot of poop scooper models can be compacted, so look for this feature if it's something you think you'll benefit from.
When learning how to choose and buy the right dog pooper scooper for your daily doggy walks, you also have to consider the size of the scoop. If you have a large dog, you're going to need a larger scoop. We've all seen our dog poop before, so choose a scoop that you know will have the capacity to hold your dog's poo.
Put simply, you're going to need a much bigger doggy pooper scooper for a Newfoundland than you will for a Chihuahua. If you have a multi-dog household, base the size of the scooper you need on your largest dog.
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In the photo above you can see the ‘teeth' of my pooper scooper. This allows the scoop to comb through the grass and easily remove waste. When you're learning how to pick the right dog pooper scooper, you need to choose one that will work on any surface.
Some dog pooper scoopers are made specifically for grass while others work best on hard surfaces. The best scoopers will work well on both. Before making your choice, do some research online to see what other buyers thought of the scooper. Did it work well on grass and hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete?
Hopefully by this time you've narrowed down your options. All that's left is to find a dog pooper scooper that is well-made and fits into your budget and then grab some cheap and biodegradable dog poop bags. The cheapest pooper scoopers for dogs sell for less than $10, while you can also purchase some models for more than $40.
Cheaper scoopers will have cheaper mechanisms. They may also be made with thinner plastic that will break easily. Again, the best thing you can do is read reviews from other buyers to see how long the scoopers last.
The best scoopers should last throughout the life of your pet. I've had mine for 2 generations of family pets, and it's still going strong. While it may have been more expensive than other models, I've saved money in the long run by not having to replace it.
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