I take my dog, Sugar, for long walks at several parks. We have a routine of visiting different parks on particular days. On our walks, it’s hard not to notice and smell of unpleasant un-scooped poop on the ground. Why would a dog owner leave un-scooped poop on the ground? Dealing with poop is an inescapable part of owning a dog. Every dog owner needs to be educated on the importance of scooping their dog’s poop, as well as an understanding of the effects of dog poop on their community and to the environment.

Every responsible dog owner should pick up after their dog. It’s a MUST. No matter where or when it occurs, there’s no excuse for not scooping your dog’s poop.

What would you do if you encountered un-scooped poop on the ground? Would you pick up other dog’s poop? As a responsible dog owner, and one who practices good dog etiquette, I would pick it up. I am not letting irresponsible owners ruin a park that my dog and I love to visit. But it’s really unpleasant to have to pick up after someone else, so let’s be accountable for our dogs and pick up after them. After all, it’s irresponsible dog owners who make dogs unwelcomed guests at certain establishments. If we want more places to allow dogs, we have to prove that they won’t regret it.

So, if you want to pave the way for dogs to gain access to more places so we no longer have to suffer prejudice, be a Scooper Hero. It’s not that hard!

To be a Scooper Hero, just remember these three points whenever you take your dog out:

1. Always carry extra poop bags on your walks! You may bump into a dog owner who has forgotten a bag or has run out.
2. Be a role model. Always scoop your dog’s poop. Cleaning up after your dog shows respect and courtesy for others and your community. Leaving dog poop is the No. 1 reason for negative public sentiment about dogs.
3. Make a statement and practice good dog-ownership behavior. It is crucial to keep dog waste off the ground. If you see un-scooped poop, pick it up. You are sending a message to others and hopefully your actions will encourage people to do the same.

It is up to each of us to do our part as a responsible dog owner, so Scoop That Poop! Today is the second monthly blog hop of the Scoop That Poop campaign. I invite everyone to check out all the hop participants and assist us in spreading the importance of picking up after your dog. Use #ScoopThatPoop on social media to help spread awareness, and share the infographic included in this post. We’re all in this together.

About Rosalyn Acero: Rosalyn is the creator of the blog Golden Woofs. She shares the life and adventures of her Golden Retriever dog, Sugar. Rosalyn is the author of Sugar’s Furry Friend, a children’s book based on Sugar’s friendship with a chipmunk.

Read more on dog poop:

• Why Is This Little Girl Eating Dog Poop on This Billboard?
• 5 Things You Didn’t Know About Dog Poop
• I Scoop Dog Poop for a Living
• Now Here’s an Idea: A Spanish Town Mails Dog Poop Back to People
• Spain’s Hilarious Plan to Keep Dog Poop Out of Parks
• Dog-Poop DNA Tests That Catch Scofflaws
• A Japanese Town Considering a Dog Poop Tax