Dog care blog

How to get rid of dog poop smell in your yard.

NOVEMBER 7, 2026 · 3 MINUTE READ

Yard smell comes from what is left behind: old piles, pee soaked into the ground or turf, and flies breeding in waste. Get rid of the source first, then deodorize.

Step 1: Pick up every pile.

Walk the yard in rows so you cover every foot of it. Check along walls, under shrubs, behind the AC unit and in corners. In rock yards, look closely for small dry piles that blend in.

Flies lay eggs in fresh poop. UC pest experts say house flies can go from egg to adult in as little as 7 days in summer, and they say removing dog poop at least once a week cuts down on flies.

Step 2: Rinse the pee spots.

Pee causes most of the smell that lingers. Find the spots your dog uses most and soak them with a hose. Water dilutes what is left in the dirt or turf. Do it weekly, and more often in summer.

Artificial turf.

Turf is everywhere in the West Valley, and it holds smell. Pee runs through the blades into the backing and the infill underneath, then the sun heats it up.

• Rinse turf often, at least weekly in summer.
• Use an enzyme cleaner made for pet turf on the spots dogs use most.
• Brush the turf so water and cleaner reach the infill.
• When it is time to refill, ask your turf company about infill made for pets.

We offer a turf odor treatment as an extra. See our prices.

Rock and gravel yards.

Desert landscaping hides poop well. Dry piles look like rocks, and pee drains down into the dirt below. Scoop with a rake so you get the whole pile, and rinse the spots your dog uses.

Grass.

Grass hides piles in the shade and gets burned where poop sits. Pick up often, water the spots dogs use and reseed burned patches. See why in is dog poop good fertilizer.

Step 3: Deodorize.

Once the waste is gone, spray an outdoor yard deodorizer on the spots dogs use most. Follow the label and keep dogs off until it dries. Deodorizer works best on a clean yard, so do steps 1 and 2 first.

We spray deodorizer at every visit for free.

Smell that comes inside.

Paws and shoes carry yard smell into the house. Keep a towel by the back door and wipe paws after your dog has been in the yard, more so after rain. Leave yard shoes by the door.

Neighbors and HOAs notice.

Smell drifts over block walls fast in the heat. A yard that smells can lead to a complaint from a neighbor or a letter from the HOA. Regular pickup is the simplest way to keep the peace.

Keep flies away.

• Pick up poop at least once a week, twice in summer.
• Tie poop bags shut and keep trash can lids closed.
• Do not leave dog food sitting outside.
• Rinse pee spots so the ground stays fresh.

How often to scoop in Arizona.

For one dog, once a week keeps most yards in good shape. With two or more dogs, or from May through September, twice a week works better. In Goodyear, city code says droppings must be removed from yards at least twice a week.

We scoop yards in Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Citrus Park on a set day, spray deodorizer and send a photo of your latched gate. See how it works or find your town on our service areas page.

Sources.

• UC Statewide IPM: Flies
• City of Goodyear: Trash and recycling guide

Questions.

Why does my yard smell like dog poop even after I pick it up?

Pee soaked into turf or dirt, small missed piles and flies can all leave a smell. Rinse the pee spots and use an outdoor deodorizer.

How do I get dog pee smell out of artificial turf?

Rinse the turf often, use an enzyme cleaner made for turf and keep the infill clean. In summer, rinse more often.

How often should I pick up dog poop?

At least once a week. In summer, or with two or more dogs, twice a week keeps smell and flies down.