Yard help

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

We had a great yard last year. It isnt tobad now, but lots of dead grass where Schulz goes to the bathroom. We got the digging under control for the most part but is there something that we can do to keep the grass green and not so patchy or is this just part of haveing a dog?? Not a overly huge deal just wondering if there was something that we could do? Or is there a way to train them to only go to the bathroom in one area?? 

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

Scot I have seen stuff you can buy at the pet store that you can supplement their diet with to have their urine not burn the grass. Can't remember what it is or does. Also if you hose down the area soon after they pee it dilutes the urine and helps with it not killing the grass. Lot of work though to keep track of where they pee. I guess we have just learned to live with it and give up the perfect lawn idea. As for holes and digging. The poop really helped solve digging with Murphy, but Bella treats poop as a snack so that didn't work. Big rocks in the hole that she consistently went to did help finally and lots of " leave it" training.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I do not think changing the pH of your dog's urine, which is what this stuff does, is a good idea just to avoid burning the lawn.

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

Not sure if it harms anything because I haven't researched it. Possibly can make them prone to UTI's I'd guess.

[Kami Allen]

Put a capful of Apple Cider Vinegar in the water bowl - no more burn spots or yellow spots!  Works like magic and it's good for them too!

[F, Calla & Luca]

There is no evidence that Apple Cider Vinegar is good for dogs or anyone. And just how does it prevent burn spots? It is a very bad idea to alter your dog's urine pH but I don't think ACV in water will change this. This is a good article from Purdue U. on dog damage to lawns, which grass varieties are less likely to be damaged etc.

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/turf/dog_lawn_p...

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

LOL - I once had a beautiful sodded lawn but it was short lived.  When I had small dog in the summer I would just hose down the area where she just peed.  She was old and blind so she did not move around too much.  Once she passed and I got Sasha, I did the same and kept up with it which was not too bad.  Then Oliver came a long - now I just have given up to the fact that I love my dogs more than my lawn and also get WAY more enjoyment out of the dogs than lawn.  I am always chasing a bare spot around, filling in, seeding etc.  Sasha is about 50 lbs and some how digs up the sod when she runs, Oliver is about 80 lbs and does not damage the lawn like Sasha does - I guess because of the size difference.  Anyway.... get use to the burn spots or hose down the area they just peeded and only use organic fertilizer and products.  Once I had my doodles I would not use any chemicals on the lawn what so ever execpt if it was organic, animal friendly, eventhough the major fertilizer companies say its ok I just don't trust them.!!!

[Mike Gruenke]

A lawn ... with green grass? HHHMMMM ... oh, I have some of that, a few patches here and there.  

We have always had dogs. I gave up on that perfectly manicured lawn at least in the backyard. I live in Wisconsin and kind of out in no-man's land, so it really doesn't matter, no close neighbors to complain. I fenced  it so that the dogs can't get to the front yard and turned that into a rock garden complete with prickly pear cactus. The cactus really makes people around here wonder. As for the digging, I'm trying to stop Porsche from digging. For the most part just from my wife's and my constant telling her "no" and "leave it", she seems to have stopped for now.

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

We have created a “potty” spot, DH even planted a tree near it so Snickers could lift his leg over something (by the way he doesn’t), we also put bricks down when he goes #2 which gives him a pretty good indication of where the potty spot is.  He still goes in the middle of the yard sometimes but not enough to cause brown spots.  DH also treats the area of the potty spot with Garden Lime he will do this when we are expecting a huge rain so that it soaks in then we send Snickers up front to do his business for a few days afterwards.  Seems to work pretty well.  Also, our vet said under no circumstances would he recommend giving a pill to a dog to change the Ph content of the urine, said it is not studied and not worth the risk.

[Pat and Traveler]

Move to Oregon or Washington.  There's enough rain to keep the grass washed.  Or if you would prefer, Rochester or Buffalo, NY which get even more days per year of rain/snow.  LOL  Of course, there's Kauai's Mt. Waialeale, which gets over 38 feet of rain annually.  Yes, you read that right--38 feet!  I guess urine burned grass is NO problem there! 

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I guess if you look up at the sky drowning might be a risk : )

[Pat and Traveler]

So true!  The doodles would probably be growing moss and ferns in their wet, wet fur.