You love your dog, but that doesn't mean you love what he or she leaves behind — especially if it takes place in your yard. If you’re a busy executive, a single parent or a senior citizen, consider hiring someone to clean up the mess, keeping your lawn a fun, clean, safe place year round.

Dog waste management services, or pooper scoopers, offer a variety of options. Most offer options that let you, the customer, choose from weekly, bi-weekly, once-a-month, seasonally and one-time dog waste cleanups. Some companies also offer additional related services, such as cleaning, disinfecting and deodorizing your deck or patio.

How companies dispose of your dog's leavings varies: Some collect it and place it in the customer’s trash can, others dispose of it at their place of business or transport it directly to a landfill.

Rates for waste removal services can vary widely, depending on the area of the country and whether the operations are sole proprietorships or large enough to have employees. Their pricing structures can be hourly, starting at minimum wage; weekly, starting at about $15; or based on the number of dogs. If placed on a regular schedule, some charge the services directly to the customer’s credit or debit card after the service is completed.

In some cases, you may have to make advance arrangements to arrange for your pet to be inside before services are rendered. This is for the safety and welfare of the technician.

If you're interested in hiring a pooper scooper to pick up your pet's waste, don't forget to check reviews on Angie's List, get multiple estimates, and ask about a company's insurance and/or bonding.