Potty Pit

[F, Calla & Luca]

Recently, a picture was posted of a "potty pit". I thought it was a great idea. Anybody else have a designated area for the dogs to pee and poop? If you've built something , pictures, info. on what material you've used, and suggestions on how to get the dogs to use it , would all be appreciated.
http://www.doodlekisses.com/photo/helping-daddy-in-my-potty-pit

[Adina P]

I've never SEEN pea gravel in person. Is it cushy or hard? Does pee splash when dogs pee on it? I'm just wondering because when dogs pee in grass it gets absorbed into the lawn pretty quickly...but when Rosco pees on dry dirt, pebbles or concrete (rare) his pee splashes more. The more splashing the more pee on doodle fur.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Interesting. It might be an issue. Pea gravel is really small size gravel so splashing is a distinct possibility, especially for the leg lifters. Calla squats so the ground I don't know what would happen.

[shelly]

We have an area off the side of our house... it's mostly grassy dirt... we use hardy grass for that area b/c the pee kills most of it... I keep trying to figure out what would be best to put down, but.... wanted artificial grass, but didn't think it would clean well enough.. and as far as the pea gravel... how would you pick up the poop without picking up some pebbles... we dispose of the poop in a lined bucket - rocks would probably make it heavier than the frozen poop we gathered after the winter... I want to cover her 'area' with an awning or tarp-like cover to keep her from getting rained on and the mud from puddling, my DH thinks I'm nuts... but we'll see - I'm still pushing for that... I truly think this dog is just a bit spoiled!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I did do the tarp thing but the doodles had no interest, or maybe understanding. but I may try again. there are always more plans than time or energy but that's certainly better than being bore, I guess.

[shelly]

I like that "green bin" wish we had that... we too have woods, and times we do that too.... "F" ~ yup agreed.. my body can't always keep up with all of the ideas I come up with. DH asks - when do I think of 'all this stuff' - while I'm trying to sleep I tell him... it's the only time nothing else is 'knocking at my door' LOL It's when I do my BEST thinking!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, I so agree. The shower and riding the lawn mower!

[shelly]

And... washing dishes/pots after dinner when everyone else seems to "disappear" and it's just me and Tori in the kitchen.. loading the dishwasher!

[Robin, dalai, and Parker]

Since we live in PA, my doodle is trained to go on grass. The area that we are putting in around the concrete pool area will be sodded and plan on only using for inclement weather. We leash Dalai, and walk her around to the other side of the walled pool area to do her business. She will be 2 yrs. old next week and hope this change in pottying(?) does not confuse her. I'm hoping the sod takes before "the dogs days of summer" begin.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm thinking the enclosure, if there is one at all is not really important. We need to think of a good base. I'm wondering if that rubber like mulch would work. Any one have any experience?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I just found this "out tere" on the web. For what it's worth:
I'm a horticulturist and owner of 3 dogs- 1 male, 2 females. Forget any thoughts you might have of plants for this area! There is nothing that can take the traffic and the urine, and poop is a drag to clean out of plants.

Gravel, 2-3" thick, preferably packed with a heavy hand tamper, is perfect. Dogs like to 'go' on gravel. My dogs naturally go to my gravel driveway for most of their business, but still like to do some in the garden (dealing with that is a whole other story of tricks and tactics).

Use a 3/4" gravel, which is unlikely to get stuck to feet and tracked inside as a smaller gravel can. Choose an ornamental one (there are many) if it's where you see it, or if it's an out-of-sight area, you can use something cheap like drain rock. Cecelia

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

River Pebbles might be good for a potty pit. To put something together quickly you could use those raised garden bed kits sold at home improvement stores, Then fill with river pebbles and tamp down.

This rock is approximately 3/4" to 1.5" in size. River pebbles make a great ground cover in your planting beds and are also good for pathways. Kind of a bigger version of pea gravel.

[F, Calla & Luca]

This is an attractive solution. Where do you get them?