Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home for you to scoop the yard?
Not at all! Most of our clients are at work or running errands during their scheduled service day. As long as we have secure access to the backyard, our team will complete the grid-search sweep, haul away the waste, and secure your gate behind us.
What if my gate is locked or broken?
Security is our top priority. If you keep your gate locked, you can provide us with a combination code to keep on file. Furthermore, we operate with a strict Locked-Gate Guarantee. When we finish your service, we take a photo of your secured gate to give you absolute peace of mind that your property is safe and your pets won’t escape.
Can my dogs be left in the yard while you work?
We love dogs! If your dogs are friendly and comfortable with strangers in their territory, we are more than happy to have them in the yard with us while we clean. However, if your dog is protective, anxious, or aggressive, we respectfully ask that they be kept indoors on your scheduled service day for the safety of our technicians.
Do you clean dog poop out of rocks, mulch, or ivy?
Yes, we do! However, please note that waste removal in dense ivy, tall weeds, loose river rock, or thick mulch is significantly more difficult than on standard grass. We will do our absolute best to remove all visible waste, but we cannot guarantee a 100% spotless clean in areas where the waste blends in or breaks apart into the landscaping.
What happens if you can't see the waste (tall grass, leaves, etc.)?
Our rule of thumb is: If we can’t see it, we can’t scoop it. During peak autumn leaf drops or if the lawn is severely overgrown, dog waste becomes perfectly camouflaged. We will thoroughly walk our standard grid-search, but we rely on the homeowner to maintain reasonable lawn care so we can effectively do our job.
How do you ensure you don't spread diseases from other yards?
This is what separates professionals from the neighborhood kid with a shovel. We adhere strictly to aPaws (Association of Professional Animal Waste Specialists) standards. All of our equipment and footwear are treated with clinical-grade, pet-safe sanitizers between every single yard. We never bring Parvovirus, Giardia, or E. Coli from someone else’s property onto yours.
Do you still scoop if it’s raining?
Yes! A little rain doesn’t stop us. We will complete our standard routes in light to moderate rain. We only pause operations if the weather becomes dangerous for our technicians or if the yard is excessively flooded.
What happens in the case of severe weather (lightning, flooding, freezing)?
Safety is our priority. In the event of severe weather like lightning, high winds, or heavy flooding, we will pause service. Because we utilize automated text alerts, we will notify you immediately if your route is delayed. Depending on the schedule, we will either push your service to the next available clear day or pick up the double accumulation on your next regularly scheduled visit.
Do you provide service on major holidays?
We observe major federal holidays so our hardworking team can spend time with their families. If your scheduled service day falls on a holiday (like Thanksgiving or Christmas), we will notify you in advance and reschedule your cleaning for the days immediately before or after the holiday.
What happens if I need to skip a scoop day or go on vacation?
No problem at all! If your dogs are traveling with you and the yard won’t be used, simply let us know at least 48 hours in advance. We will pause your service for that week and you will not be billed for the skipped visit.
How does billing work and what payment methods do you accept?
We make billing completely frictionless. We require a credit or debit card to be kept securely on file. Your card will be automatically charged at the start of the month or prorated if service begins mid month. You never have to worry about leaving cash under the mat or remembering to pay an invoice!
Do you require any long-term contracts?
Absolutely not. We believe in earning your business with every single visit. Trusty Tail operates on a 100% contract-free basis. You can start, pause, or cancel your residential service at any time without any hidden cancellation fees.
When is my payment due?
We operate on a simple, flat-rate monthly pre-payment schedule. Your regular billing cycle will automatically process on the 1st of every month for that month’s upcoming scheduled visits.
For new clients: Your very first cleanup is always on the house! If you choose to sign on as a regular customer in the middle of a month, you simply enter your card information to securely hold your route. We will then charge you a prorated amount only for the remaining weeks left in that current month. After that, you will seamlessly roll into our standard 1st-of-the-month billing cycle!
What is your cancellation policy?
You are free to cancel your service at any time. We just ask that you provide us with at least 48 hours’ notice before your next scheduled route so we can adjust our technicians’ schedules accordingly.
Is dog waste really that bad for my lawn?
Yes, it is highly damaging. A common misconception is that dog poop acts as a natural fertilizer like cow manure. This is completely false. Because dogs consume a high-protein diet, their waste is incredibly acidic and contains excess nitrogen. If left on the grass, it will quickly burn your lawn, creating those stubborn yellow and brown dead spots.
Can dog poop contaminate local groundwater?
Absolutely. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) actually classifies pet waste as a dangerous non-point source pollutant—in the same category as toxic chemicals and motor oil. When it rains, the bacteria from dog waste washes directly into storm drains, eventually contaminating local rivers, lakes, and the groundwater system.
What diseases can be transmitted through dog waste?
Dog waste is a breeding ground for dangerous pathogens. A single gram of dog poop can contain over 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. Left unchecked, it can harbor and transmit diseases and parasites including Parvovirus, Giardia, Salmonella, E. Coli, and Roundworms. These parasites can survive in your soil for years, posing a serious health risk to other pets and children playing in the yard