Hi all, I am just going to put it out here. DOG TURD. What do others do with it being on a lawn. Do you shovel it up, pick it up in a bag or mow around, or even over it?
I ask as I do not have a dog, therefore do not pick it up. Years ago I had clients where there was 20+ turds on the lawn every week & eventually I said I will not pick up or mow until it is all removed. Now one of my weekly clients has gone & gotten a Ridgeback pup. I had told them about my rule 'I don't pick it up, I will mow around it or not mow at all' The first few weeks was fine & now guess what- last week I mowed around two piles. This week at least four which have been kicked around, presumably by the dog, so spread out.as well, like a bloody minefield.
Client says he picked it all up, in the dark! Am I being unreasonable or are we all of the same mind?
Views: 718
Replies
Hi I find even with a conscientious owner they often miss picking up some lumps, especially if lawns are large, I had one garden where they went from owning 1 dog to a pack of 3, was one of the reasons I ended up "dropping" that one. I used to flick it in the bushes with a trowel, or if dry just mow over it, I have others where their relatives dog may come to stay briefly and those never seem to pick any of it up. Dog mess is bad but cats smell even worse, and some seem to do it on lawns, there's also some wild animals where the fragrance is off the scale
Mow around, if they can't be arsed to pick up don"t see why I should do their job for them
No way would I be picking up dog shit that the owner hasn't bothered to clear.
Years ago I worked for someone who got two cats that hated each other and were, in her words, 'trying to shit eachother out of existence'. It was absolutely everywhere, all over the lawn and the borders and probably in the house too. I didn't pick it up and stopped working there instead.
I used to listen to these podcasts which have since stopped, but I remembered this one on Additional Charges and poop. May find it worth a listen
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/jayrocks-green-industry-podca...
if its just a couple, I've just flicked them into the bushes with a hoe. If there's alot regularly, I'd just give the job a miss.
Have a polite word , if it persists then you have to make the decision, can you afford to drop them . I have a few jobs where they maybe miss picking up the odd one , i can forgive them that , I won't pick up , but will use my blower , and blow it into the border .
Thanks all, seems we are all of the same mind. I don't pick it up, I will mow around if only one or two. I do full garden maintantence so not good for me to blow or flick into the borders. I will keep my opions open as to whether to dump them or not. 4 hr's every week is a lot to replace & they are extremely good payers. I have worked their over 3 years & gotten the garden back from a weedy mess so not something I really want to walk from.
If this is the case they should respect all your hard work and efforts .
Often I have picked up jobs where it's become obvious early on why the previous gardeners left because of dog muck and I tend to follow suit .
I had one customer take exception after I politely pointed out that her relatives let their dog just run out and mess the lawn when they stay at the property she became defensive so I stopped going , personally I would have apologised if it was my dog .
I once worked at a house where they had a Ridgeback and although not aggressive it was very territorial in parts of the garden where it had buried things and would barge my legs to get me away
Customer would comment that I had not finished weeding the bed and I explained why but she still let the Ridgeback out every time I was working , I was always a bit nervous of it even though we have always had dogs .
yes no way would I take on a mowing job now where they have a dog, it's more difficult where they didn't have a dog then they suddenly introduce one. As it sounds like you hate their new best friend if you complain.... Got another even worse threat on one now, a BEE HIVE. Right next to a hedge that needs trimming. Told them I will do it December or January. Got stung once just mowing the lawn, not even near it
On my first visit I tell them it will have to be cleared before I mow. If it's the same the next time I mow around it they soon get the idea and problem is gone
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next