The Scoop
Pooper scooper tips, puppy raising, lawn care, and more from the Poo Patrol crew. Updated regularly.
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Fall Tick Season in Iowa: Why Your Dog Isn't in the Clear Yet
Tick season doesn't end when summer does. Why fall is peak tick activity for dogs in Iowa, and the yard habits that keep your dog and lawn safer through October.
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Weekly Pooper Scooper Service vs. DIY: A Real Cost and Time Breakdown
Weekly pooper scooper service vs DIY scooping compared honestly: real time cost, summer heat factor, and when hiring it out actually wins.
New From Poo Patrol: Yard Deodorizing Service
Scooping removes the piles. Our new yard deodorizing service removes the smell. Pet-safe odor treatment for lawns, patios, dog runs, and turf across Iowa.
Dog Poop and Kids: The Health Risks Every Parent Should Know
Kids play where dogs go. The real health risks dog poop poses to children, why summer is peak exposure season, and how to keep your backyard kid-safe.
The Backyard BBQ Prep Checklist for Dog Owners
Hosting a summer cookout with a dog in the house? A 30-minute yard prep checklist plus the grill-season foods your dog needs to stay away from.
Stop Mowing Over Dog Poop (Your Mower, Lawn, and Shoes Will Thank You)
Mowing over dog waste spreads bacteria across the lawn, gunks up your mower, and makes yard problems worse. Why scooping before mowing matters.
The New Puppy Backyard Survival Guide
Spring puppy season is here. How to set up your yard for potty training success, puppy-proof the fence line, and keep the lawn alive through the chaos.
Snowmelt Season: Why March Is the Most Important Month to Scoop
When Iowa snow melts, months of dog waste thaws with it. Parasites, runoff, and lawn damage peak in March. Here's why the first scoop of spring can't wait.
How Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs? An Iowa Winter Guide
Some dogs love a polar vortex, others shiver at 40 degrees. Temperature guidelines by breed and size, frostbite warning signs, and winter potty tips.
New Year, Cleaner Yard: Building a Dog Waste Routine That Sticks
Most yard resolutions die by February. How to build a dog waste routine that actually survives the year, whether you DIY or put it on autopilot.
The Holiday Hosting Yard Checklist for Dog Owners
Guests coming for the holidays? A quick checklist to get a dog household company-ready, from the backyard to the front walk, without December stress.
Winterizing Your Yard (and Your Dog Routine) Before the First Iowa Snow
A November checklist for Iowa dog owners: final lawn tasks, cold-weather gear checks, and setting up a scooping routine that survives the freeze.
Hiding in the Leaves: Why Missed Piles Multiply in October
Falling leaves hide dog poop better than snow does. Why October yards get away from Iowa dog owners and how to stay ahead of the leaf-covered backlog.
Fall Lawn Care for Dog Owners: Overseeding, Leaves, and the Last Mow
September is the best month to repair a dog-worn lawn in Iowa. An overseeding and cleanup plan built for yards with dogs in them.
Too Busy to Scoop? Surviving Back-to-School Season With Dogs
When school starts, the yard chores slip. How Eastern Iowa families keep the backyard clean and the dog happy through the busiest season of the year.
Why Your Backyard Smells Worse in July (and How to Fix It by the Weekend)
Summer heat turns missed dog poop into a backyard odor factory. Where the smell actually comes from and a weekend plan to fix it for good.
Summer Heat Safety for Dogs: An Eastern Iowa Guide
Iowa summers are no joke for dogs. How to spot overheating, when pavement is too hot for paws, and how to set up a backyard that stays safe in July heat.
How to Fix Dog Spots in Your Lawn (and Keep Them From Coming Back)
Brown circles, bare patches, and burned grass: a practical repair plan for dog-damaged lawns in Eastern Iowa, plus how to prevent new spots.
Mud Season: Protecting Paws, Floors, and Lawns During a Rainy Iowa Spring
April rain turns Iowa dog yards into mud pits. Practical ways to protect your grass, your dog's paws, and your floors until the lawn firms up.
The Spring Thaw Survival Guide for Iowa Dog Owners
Snow melting in Eastern Iowa? Here's a step-by-step plan for tackling a winter's worth of dog waste, matted grass, and muddy paws without losing your weekend.
Does Dog Poop Really Disappear in Winter? The Frozen Truth
Snow hides dog poop, but it doesn't make it go away. Here's what really happens to dog waste under an Iowa snowpack and why winter scooping matters.
The Spring Revival: Why Cleaning Up Dog Waste Post-Winter is Crucial for Your Lawn
Winter hides a season of dog waste. Why the first spring cleanup matters most for an Eastern Iowa lawn, and what happens if it waits.
The Ultimate Guide to Kitty Litter Swap Out Service
How the litter swap out service works: we take the old box away, set a fresh one up, and you never handle the litter yourself.
Training 101: Essential Commands Every Dog Should Know
The commands worth teaching first, in the order that makes each one easier: sit, stay, come, down, and leave it.
Announcing an Inspiring Partnership: Poo Patrol & Deafinitely Dogs Unite for Veterans
A portion of every Poo Patrol visit now goes to Deafinitely Dogs, the Cedar Rapids nonprofit that pairs trained service dogs with veterans.
Unleash the Power of Clean: The Pro Pet Hair Tool Kit from Lily Brush for Detailing Vehicles
Pet hair in a car does not vacuum out. The Lily Brush kit we use for detailing, and how to lift hair out of upholstery and carpet.
The Benefits of Doggy Daycare: Why It's Good for Your Dog
What doggy daycare does for a dog's exercise, socializing and boredom, and how to tell whether yours is a good fit for it.
What Your Dog’s Poop Can Tell You About Your Dog
Color, consistency and frequency all say something about a dog's health. A plain guide to what is normal and what is worth a vet call.
Understanding Soft Stool in Dogs: Why Is My Dog Pooping a Lot and It Is Soft?
Frequent soft stool in a dog can come from diet, stress, parasites or a change in food. What to watch for, and when to call the vet.
The Ultimate Guide to Preventing Dog Pee from Killing Your Grass
Why dog urine burns grass, which spots recover on their own, and the watering and lawn changes that stop new patches appearing.
The Comprehensive Guide to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop
Why dogs eat their own waste, what it can signal about diet or health, and the steps that actually break the habit.
Why Hiring a Dog Pooper Scooper Service is a Good Idea
The honest case for paying somebody to scoop: time back, a yard you can use, and the piles that get missed when you do it yourself.
Poo Patrol: A Lifeline for Seniors with Mobility Issues
For a dog owner with limited mobility, scooping the yard is the chore that gets away first. How weekly service keeps a yard usable again.
The Scoop on Dog Poop: Is Dog Waste Bad For Your Yard?
Dog waste does not fertilize a lawn. What it does to grass, soil and runoff, and how long a pile really takes to break down.
How To Train Your Puppy To Sit
Sit is the first command worth teaching, because everything else builds on it. A short method that works in a few sessions a day.
A Guide to Introducing Your Dog to Chickens
Introducing a dog to backyard chickens takes staged exposure, a secure run and a reliable recall. The steps that keep both animals safe.
Why You Should Hire Poo Patrol in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City
What you actually get from a weekly pooper scooper service in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, and when it is worth paying for.
Safeguarding Your Furry Friends: Essential Tips for Keeping Dogs Safe Around Backyard Pools
Pool season with a dog: teaching an exit route, fencing the water, rinsing after a swim, and the warning signs worth knowing.
The Scoop on Scooping: Why Picking Up Dog Waste Matters
The case for scooping every week: parasites, lawn damage, storm drains, and the neighbors who notice before they say anything.
How To Crate Train Your Puppy
Crate training a puppy without the crying: sizing the crate, building up the time, and the mistakes that make a puppy hate it.
Dogs Can Strengthen Your Kid's Immune System
Growing up around a dog is linked to fewer allergies and a stronger immune system in kids. What the research suggests, and the hygiene that still matters.
What About Bully Sticks?
Bully sticks are high-protein, single-ingredient chews. How long one lasts, how many calories it carries, and how to give one safely.
Healthy Dog, Healthy You
Owning a dog changes how much you walk, how often you are outside, and who you talk to. The health effects that come with the company.
Introducing Poo Patrol: Dog Waste Removal Service
Poo Patrol is open in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City: weekly dog waste removal, insured technicians, no contracts, and a yard you can use.
Enjoy Your Yard Again
Get a free quote in about a minute and we can have your yard spotless as soon as this week. No contracts, cancel anytime.