The Psychology Of Making People Pick-Up After Their Dogs
What about having a sign containing a subtle dig, conveying that your lawn is important to you?- One that gently let’s the potential culprit know that you take care of your lawn and that you care about your property, such as “Thanks, But We’ve Already Fertilized”.
We all know about “pooper scooper” laws- and how the majority of dog owners abide by them. When dog waste remains on our sidewalks or streets, rain water picks up harmful pathogens from the waste and delivers them into our waterways. DNA sampling of all licensed dogs has been proposed in Austria (Source: MSNBC.com- 5/23/05). What will the sign say, and how psychologically these words will make the dog walker who may be dog-duty delinquent feel? Most dog walkers either have, or have had kids, so certainly this may resonate well with them.
“Dad, the ball just went into the dog doody again!” Isn’t this ridiculous? Ridiculous that we have to worry about a domesticated animal that is owned by a human-being crapping on our property and not having it picked up!
– What if the signs’ text was tied to children- and the innocence of youth? Most dog walkers either have, or have had kids, so certainly this may resonate well with them. Thus the sign may read “Kids @ Play, Please Keep Poop Away”.
– For those that the only deterrent may be the fear of getting caught in the act, the sign “Area Patrolled By CrapCam” plants a seed of doubt that maybe someone is watching them.
– Who doesn’t remember the slogan “Keep America Beautiful”? In these patriotic times, a sign that reads “Keep America Beautiful, Please Curb Your Dog!” is certainly sure to make most offenders think twice before committing an inconsiderate and irresponsible act.
The key however is what kind of lawn sign. What will the sign say, and how psychologically these words will make the dog walker who may be dog-duty delinquent feel? How they feel, will no doubt impact upon their actions or lack thereof.
We all know about “pooper scooper” laws- and how the majority of dog owners abide by them. We also know that the fines are small, and how the law is often inadequately enforced.
The answer for people who have had enough? The only reasonable solution is the posting of a lawn sign that will deter dog walkers from letting their pooches defecate on your property, or at a minimum, at least guilt them into picking up after their dog.
The lawn sign must not be insulting or disparaging, or it quite possibly can have opposite of the intended effect. A sign that may strike a chord psychologically with the dog walker is what will be most effective.