8 Poop Scooper Mods That Make the Job Way Easier
Running a dog poop scooping business is all about efficiency. The faster, safer, and more professional you can work, the better your customer experience—and the easier your days become.
In this post, I’m breaking down eight practical life hacks I personally use in my poop scooping business to save time, reduce frustration, and work more efficiently in the field.
These are simple, real-world tips that any scooper—new or experienced—can start using right away.
1. Dog Treat Bags With Business Cards
One of the easiest ways to stand out as a poop scooping business is by leaving something behind after each visit.
What I do is:
Put a dog treat inside a dog poop bag
Add my business card
Tie it off and leave it in the client’s mailbox or by the door
When I was starting out, I used Milk-Bones because they’re inexpensive and come in value packs. As I grew, I started making my own dog treats, which is surprisingly easy and better for dogs with allergies. I even had my logo 3D printed onto the treats.
This small gesture gives clients something to look forward to every visit and keeps your business top of mind.
2. Use a Backpack Sprayer Instead of a Manual Hand Pump
Many new scoopers start with a manual pump sprayer for odor control. I did too—and I don’t recommend it.
Manual pumps:
Require constant bending
Are tiring, especially if you’re tall
Slow you down over multiple yards
An electric backpack sprayer is a game changer. I use a Vivore backpack sprayer:
Load it with enzyme cleaner
Strap it on
Spray quickly and evenly
It’s faster, easier on your body, and far more efficient.
3. Carry Cat Litter for Runny Poop
Every scooper runs into it eventually: diarrhea.
My solution is simple:
Carry a dog treat pouch filled with cat litter
Sprinkle it over runny piles
Let it absorb the moisture
Scoop normally
The cat litter solidifies the mess and makes cleanup much easier and cleaner. This hack alone can save a ton of frustration.
4. Use Markers (Hacky Sack, Golf Ball, or Yard Objects)
Have you ever had to go back to the truck mid-yard and then forget where you left off?
That’s where markers come in.
I use:
A hacky sack (easy to carry)
Or a brightly colored golf ball
When I need to leave the yard temporarily, I drop the marker where I stopped scooping. That way, I know exactly where to resume.
If you don’t want to carry anything extra, you can also use:
A dog toy
A stick
A leaf
Just remember to put it back when you’re done.
5. Add an Easy Handle to Your Tools
This is a small upgrade with big benefits.
An easy handle can be attached to:
A dustpan
A rake
Almost any tool
It improves grip, makes heavy loads easier to carry, and reduces strain on your hands and wrists. Simple, cheap, and very effective.
🇨🇦 / 🇺🇸 https://www.scoopdog.ca/shop/p/scoop-dog-ergoscoop-handle
6. Cut a Hole in the Back of Your Dust Bin
This is one of the first modifications I recommend.
Here’s how it works:
Cut a small hole in the back of your scoop bucket
When lining it with a garbage bag, reach through the hole
Pull out excess bag slack
This keeps the bag tight and prevents wind from blowing it around while you scoop. It makes the whole process smoother and less annoying.
7. Pre-Line a 5-Gallon Bucket for Spring Cleanups
Spring cleanups mean a lot more poop than normal visits.
Before heading into the yard:
Pre-line a 5-gallon bucket with 5–6 garbage bags
Place it in the middle of the yard
When your dustpan bucket fills up:
Dump it into the 5-gallon bucket
When a bag is full, pull it out
Another bag is already waiting underneath
This saves trips to the truck and keeps you moving efficiently.
8. Carry Dog Spray on a Keychain (Safety First)
Safety matters in this industry.
If an owner accidentally lets their dog out and the dog is aggressive, you need protection. I carry dog spray on a keychain attached to my vest so it’s always accessible.
This is strictly a last resort. I never want to use it, but it’s there in case of an emergency. Being prepared is part of being professional.
Final Thoughts
These life hacks may seem small, but together they:
Save time
Reduce physical strain
Improve safety
Make your business feel more professional
If even one of these tips helps you work faster or easier, it’s worth it.
If you have a life hack of your own, drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for new ways to make the job more efficient.
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