Let's talk poop, apartment dwellers!

[Kristen Eric Lacey and Paisley]

Ok so I know this is gross and slightly ridiculous. Lacey comes home next weekend, and I'm driving myself pretty crazy thinking of last minute details. 

We live an apartment that does not have a balcony so fake grass isn't an option. I will have to be carrying her outside to go to the bathroom. I am well aware of the risks of Parvo and I promise her pretty paws will not be roaming on the grass until she has all her shots. 

I already have a bunch of poop bags to take care of picking it up, but my question is, where do you put it? Our apartment building has no garbage bins outside and the only public garbage our building has is in the garage, on the opposite side of the building. With how many times puppies go to the bathroom - I think it just might be a little crazy to keep running around the building while carrying her around. 

Has anyone had a similar issue to this while living in an apartment? What did you end up doing? I really want to avoid bringing it indoors to our apartment but I'm out of ideas - my brain is on overload.

Thanks in advance for all your help! 

[Jennifer & Truffle]

Would something like a diaper genie (for babies' dirty diapers) work? You could conceivably store the poop bags in here until you're ready to take out your trash...

Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Diaper-Genie-Essentials-Disposal-Pail/dp/B00B...

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Why don't you just empty the poop out of the bag and drop it into the toilet. One flush, and voila - it's gone. Then, toss the used bag into the trash.  Easy peasy!

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Brilliant...

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I don't like being the one to throw a wrench in the works, but so often than not, puppies have 'pudding poos'. The idea of trying to empty one of those into the toilet, is, well, disgusting. Something I used for a while were the flushable poop bags. DH didn't like the idea of the possibility of plugging up the pipes (which I've never heard of happening, btw) so we didn't stick with that solution. It may be a viable solution for you, Kristin, however. One trick I learned via the internet, was to let the bag sit in the toilet water for a while before flushing to help decompose the bag material so it all flushes down well. You can find them all over the internet, 'flushable poop bags'.

[Kristen Eric Lacey and Paisley]

Wow these are great ideas. I've been so scatter-brained these past few days getting everything ready for her that I totally didn't think of any of that. Any way that we can save time in the mornings would greatly help us. 

Jennifer - I've never owned a diaper genie. Do you know if they work well for controlling odor? 

[Brittney & Cally]

I am a nanny and have dealt with many diaper genies and in general they all work very well unless you over stuff them.

[Jennifer & Truffle]

I've never owned one (even though I have two daughters).  However, they've been around forever and it's one of those contraptions that all new parents seem to have.  I bet it'd work well - although Laurie's suggestion is great and simple!

[Kristen Eric Lacey and Paisley]

I'm so grateful to finally have some options to choose from. Thank you everyone for your suggestions! 

[Ginny Nightingale]

There is a kitty litter genie too and it works well in my daughters apt--she puts the bags with the litter waste into it and no odor--and I just visited and slept in that room! I do think there are systems with the grass and tray that are meant to be used inside--you don't need a balcony--and when the pup is young you might want to use puppy pads for a while to protect her from germs--then transition her to outside by bringing the puppy pad outdoors to give her the idea.  Parvo is on the rise--and she should be fully vaccinated by 16 weeks--not that long from now.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I agree with Ginny and was just going to say that when I read her post. Considering how frequently you need to take a puppy outside for the first few months, I would certainly use the puppy pads! I took mine out just about every 20-30 minutes for weeks. And then they are up during the night as well. You going to carry her outside in your PJ's a few times a night? Im sure apartment dwellers have other answers, so I hope they chime in. But that would be my suggestion. But then again, you are talking to someone who barely can get out of bed to stumble to the bathroom in the middle of the night, let alone leave my house, carrying a puppy. And yes, I'd be flushing it down the toilet too!

[Rose Coward]

Kristen note to self:  Buy new stylish PJ's   :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

:)