Dogs and a nice lawn....possible? (1 Viewer)

[comfortably numb]

I have 2 young vizslas and while my lawn was never award it was respectable and...actually had grass.

Now after a solid year between pee spots and them digging up holes and just generally running on the lawn my yard looks like it has aids.

When it rains it's just a muddy mess with all the patches.

Is it a losing battle I'm dealing with here?

 

[Buttonhook]

If you want a nice lawn and pets you should have bought sheep.

 

[Soulfly3]

my lawn is phenomenal w a female dog.

apparently if they're fixed, you dont get piss stains on the lawn. not sure how true, but mine is fixed and it's as green as baby's diarrhea.

 

[NutterButter]

To key is to have at least an acre so it all spreads out. Also, find a way to physically redirect when they first go outside to an area where the pee can be centralized and that you don't mind turning bad. For me, on the deck, I've gated off the entrances down to the grass and i have a separate entrance just for them through the railing that goes down a small ramp to the side area of the lawn that's out of view. Since dogs pee pretty quickly, they almost always go in that area.

 

[James Daulton]

Unpossible.

 

[Mors Venit]

Fence off an area for them to use exclusively.

 

[mrip541]

Not possible.

 

[bigmarc27]

I think it's doable. I had two Weims (now 1) and the backyard stays in good shape. The pic I'm attaching was from last Fall and the grass was dying, but I've got good coverage and it's lush and green in the spring and summer. The front is easier and in better shape, but i think it's possible.

http://s18.postimg.org/uc8ypie95/image.jpg

 

[Vanilla Guerrilla]

Never had an issue with vizslas digging. Have only had one at a time though. Maybe train them not to dig?

 

[Buckfast 1]

my lawn is phenomenal w a female dog.

apparently if they're fixed, you dont get piss stains on the lawn. not sure how true, but mine is fixed and it's as green as baby's diarrhea.

It sounds like that free lawn care from your father-in-law has been paying off.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I think it's doable. I had two Weims (now 1) and the backyard stays in good shape. The pic I'm attaching was from last Fall and the grass was dying, but I've got good coverage and it's lush and green in the spring and summer. The front is easier and in better shape, but i think it's possible.

http://s18.postimg.org/uc8ypie95/image.jpg

Sorry about your loss, Marc. Weimaraners are just awesome dogs.

 

[bigmarc27]

I think it's doable. I had two Weims (now 1) and the backyard stays in good shape. The pic I'm attaching was from last Fall and the grass was dying, but I've got good coverage and it's lush and green in the spring and summer. The front is easier and in better shape, but i think it's possible.http://s18.postimg.org/uc8ypie95/image.jpg

Sorry about your loss, Marc. Weimaraners are just awesome dogs.

Thanks, yeah she was my girl (one on the left in the pic).

I telecommute so I tell everyone they're my co-workers. Our boy is still as goofy as ever, but I miss having them both. It's been hard on the wife too since she doesn't have her walking buddy anymore. We'd each take one and the boy is too strong for her if a rabbit or something came into sight.

 

[sports_fan]

Can you train them to pee in your neighbors yard?

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

I think it's doable. I had two Weims (now 1) and the backyard stays in good shape. The pic I'm attaching was from last Fall and the grass was dying, but I've got good coverage and it's lush and green in the spring and summer. The front is easier and in better shape, but i think it's possible.http://s18.postimg.org/uc8ypie95/image.jpg

Sorry about your loss, Marc. Weimaraners are just awesome dogs.

Thanks, yeah she was my girl (one on the left in the pic). I telecommute so I tell everyone they're my co-workers. Our boy is still as goofy as ever, but I miss having them both. It's been hard on the wife too since she doesn't have her walking buddy anymore. We'd each take one and the boy is too strong for her if a rabbit or something came into sight.

Putting dogs down is horrible. So bad that I'm not sure I want another after this one goes. My wife doesn't deal and I'm the one who has to do everything. I'm talking the decision on when, the put down, the burying, all of it. It's BRUTAL. Right now I have a Presa Canario named Stella who is pretty awesome. I've mostly had labs and a lab/pit mix but Stella is a lot more responsibility. She's great with the kids, listens to me (only), and is probably just as effective as a shotgun when it comes to home protection. She isn't mean but let's you know this is her house and you bet not mess round.

 

[grateful zed]

no, but airports can.

 

[IC FBGCav]

I have 2 young vizslas and while my lawn was never award it was respectable and...actually had grass.

Now after a solid year between pee spots and them digging up holes and just generally running on the lawn my yard looks like it has aids.

When it rains it's just a muddy mess with all the patches.

Is it a losing battle I'm dealing with here?

Never been a problem after 15 years and now with a new puppy. Got about an acre.

 

[gianmarco]

For the pee stains, the only solution is to dilute it. I have a hose hooked up near where they go. When done, I water the spot generously (10-15 seconds). This may not be practical for you but it's the only thing aside from suggestions above to go only in one area and letting it go.

The main issue is cold weather because I can't keep the hose hooked up during freezing temps. You can just bring a large bottle of water out and dump where they pee. With two dogs, it's a pain in the ### but really the only solution.

Females typically worse because they concentrate it all in one spot. Boys can be better if they lift and spray but my boxer doesn't and he's definitely the worst culprit because of the amount of urine he puts out.

BTW, it's the nitrogen in the urine that does it. Same as fertilizer, and why the grass around the pee spot actually looks very green. Much like fertilizer, too much will damage the grass. The only solution is to dilute it, unfortunately.

 

[IC FBGCav]

One thing this board should know and HEAR. I am 45 and voted for every president that took office on the winning side since I was 18. This is not something to be proud of, I just voted for who I thought was best for the time. I have come to realize that all those votes didnt matter. Bernie going without superpaks matters.

 

[avoiding injuries]

One thing this board should know and HEAR. I am 45 and voted for every president that took office on the winning side since I was 18. This is not something to be proud of, I just voted for who I thought was best for the time. I have come to realize that all those votes didnt matter. Bernie going without superpaks matters.

Does he dig in the yard?

 

[IC FBGCav]

One thing this board should know and HEAR. I am 45 and voted for every president that took office on the winning side since I was 18. This is not something to be proud of, I just voted for who I thought was best for the time. I have come to realize that all those votes didnt matter. Bernie going without superpaks matters.

Does he dig in the yard?

No but puppy likes too. I just redirect with treats.

 

[gianmarco]

One thing this board should know and HEAR. I am 45 and voted for every president that took office on the winning side since I was 18. This is not something to be proud of, I just voted for who I thought was best for the time. I have come to realize that all those votes didnt matter. Bernie going without superpaks matters.

Does he dig in the yard?

Per the thread title, he is the lead dog.

 

[IC FBGCav]

If all they can do is dig, they will. But my dogs are house dogs.

 

[comfortably numb]

The dogs don't always dig and I actually think they may be over digging to be honest.

It might just be an occasional thing now or if they sense something is underneath they may want to start digging.

My yard is small as well so they may add to the problem.

Gonna say maybe something like 5000 sqft? and maybe 1/4 of that is covered in pavers for my driveway and patio area.

(for some reason they have never went on the pavers, always on the grass)

I suppose I could try to teach them to go to one specific area of the yard but I think i may be too lazy for that.

Is it worth trying to grow grass in the areas that are just dirt now or will that be a forever losing battle?

I was thinking of blocking off an area growing grass for X amount of time and then do the same with a different area.

 

[comfortably numb]

For the pee stains, the only solution is to dilute it. I have a hose hooked up near where they go. When done, I water the spot generously (10-15 seconds). This may not be practical for you but it's the only thing aside from suggestions above to go only in one area and letting it go.

The main issue is cold weather because I can't keep the hose hooked up during freezing temps. You can just bring a large bottle of water out and dump where they pee. With two dogs, it's a pain in the ### but really the only solution.

Females typically worse because they concentrate it all in one spot. Boys can be better if they lift and spray but my boxer doesn't and he's definitely the worst culprit because of the amount of urine he puts out.

BTW, it's the nitrogen in the urine that does it. Same as fertilizer, and why the grass around the pee spot actually looks very green. Much like fertilizer, too much will damage the grass. The only solution is to dilute it, unfortunately.

Early on I tried to do the diluting but just wasn't consistent with it.

My wife is with them most of the time and she didn't care to bother with doing that.

Neither of them are fixed yet but will be this year.

So you think if i magically got good grass, say through sodding the whole yard. I would still have to chase them around diluting the pee to salvage the new grass?

 

[gianmarco]

For the pee stains, the only solution is to dilute it. I have a hose hooked up near where they go. When done, I water the spot generously (10-15 seconds). This may not be practical for you but it's the only thing aside from suggestions above to go only in one area and letting it go.

The main issue is cold weather because I can't keep the hose hooked up during freezing temps. You can just bring a large bottle of water out and dump where they pee. With two dogs, it's a pain in the ### but really the only solution.

Females typically worse because they concentrate it all in one spot. Boys can be better if they lift and spray but my boxer doesn't and he's definitely the worst culprit because of the amount of urine he puts out.

BTW, it's the nitrogen in the urine that does it. Same as fertilizer, and why the grass around the pee spot actually looks very green. Much like fertilizer, too much will damage the grass. The only solution is to dilute it, unfortunately.

Early on I tried to do the diluting but just wasn't consistent with it.

My wife is with them most of the time and she didn't care to bother with doing that.

Neither of them are fixed yet but will be this year.

So you think if i magically got good grass, say through sodding the whole yard. I would still have to chase them around diluting the pee to salvage the new grass?

You have a small yard. Keep a hose hooked up and on with a nozzle near where you go out. When they do their thing, just spray the area with the hose. Most nozzles can reach 15-20 feet so you should be able to do this without having to "chase them around". But it has to be done every. single. time.

Fixing them does nothing.

 

[comfortably numb]

For the pee stains, the only solution is to dilute it. I have a hose hooked up near where they go. When done, I water the spot generously (10-15 seconds). This may not be practical for you but it's the only thing aside from suggestions above to go only in one area and letting it go.

The main issue is cold weather because I can't keep the hose hooked up during freezing temps. You can just bring a large bottle of water out and dump where they pee. With two dogs, it's a pain in the ### but really the only solution.

Females typically worse because they concentrate it all in one spot. Boys can be better if they lift and spray but my boxer doesn't and he's definitely the worst culprit because of the amount of urine he puts out.

BTW, it's the nitrogen in the urine that does it. Same as fertilizer, and why the grass around the pee spot actually looks very green. Much like fertilizer, too much will damage the grass. The only solution is to dilute it, unfortunately.

Early on I tried to do the diluting but just wasn't consistent with it.

My wife is with them most of the time and she didn't care to bother with doing that.

Neither of them are fixed yet but will be this year.

So you think if i magically got good grass, say through sodding the whole yard. I would still have to chase them around diluting the pee to salvage the new grass?

You have a small yard. Keep a hose hooked up and on with a nozzle near where you go out. When they do their thing, just spray the area with the hose. Most nozzles can reach 15-20 feet so you should be able to do this without having to "chase them around". But it has to be done every. single. time.

Fixing them does nothing.

Perfect. Thanks.

They win.

We won't be doing this....lol

 

[Ned]

Size matters, son. You need to give them enough area to spread it around. In your smaller back yard, they're going to be repeating a lot on the same spot.

Have the wife train them to use this instead. http://www.porchpotty.com/

 

[avoiding injuries]

When I lived in a townhome I had the same problem. Somewhere I learned that if you mixed tomato sauce or tomato juice in with their food it wood neutralize the urine and not burn the grass. I think it helped, but I got lazy and didn't stick with it.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

About every other night I water the pee spots before they get too bad. Instead of dead spots I have extra green spots from the nitrogen in the pee. Concentrated it kills, diluted it fertilizes.

 

[comfortably numb]

Size matters, son. You need to give them enough area to spread it around. In your smaller back yard, they're going to be repeating a lot on the same spot.

Have the wife train them to use this instead. http://www.porchpotty.com/

My dogs are bigger than that potty thing!

 

[matttyl]

This time of year it's extremely difficult as the lawn isn't growing / repairing itself. I currently have 5 dogs at my house during the week (including my MIL's two goldens). With all the snow and then rain we've had the last 2 weeks, it's a horrible disaster back there and they are bringing mud into the house every time they come in. The lawn will bounce back this Spring, though. I also have about a full acre fenced out, which I realize many can't do.

 

[comfortably numb]

This time of year it's extremely difficult as the lawn isn't growing / repairing itself. I currently have 5 dogs at my house during the week (including my MIL's two goldens). With all the snow and then rain we've had the last 2 weeks, it's a horrible disaster back there and they are bringing mud into the house every time they come in. The lawn will bounce back this Spring, though. I also have about a full acre fenced out, which I realize many can't do.

Yea, this is what I am dealing with but there are current areas that I know will not grow back in the spring.

I'm leaning to blocking off an area throwing gallons of seed, letting it grow and then move onto another area...just something to get me back to a decent level.

I don't need a great lawn and am just trying to avoid muddy areas.

 

[matttyl]

This time of year it's extremely difficult as the lawn isn't growing / repairing itself. I currently have 5 dogs at my house during the week (including my MIL's two goldens). With all the snow and then rain we've had the last 2 weeks, it's a horrible disaster back there and they are bringing mud into the house every time they come in. The lawn will bounce back this Spring, though. I also have about a full acre fenced out, which I realize many can't do.

Yea, this is what I am dealing with but there are current areas that I know will not grow back in the spring.

I'm leaning to blocking off an area throwing gallons of seed, letting it grow and then move onto another area...just something to get me back to a decent level.

I don't need a great lawn and am just trying to avoid muddy areas.

Seeding in the fall would be best. Also, aerate 1-2x a year, and dethatch every other year or so if possible.

 

[gianmarco]

When I lived in a townhome I had the same problem. Somewhere I learned that if you mixed tomato sauce or tomato juice in with their food it wood neutralize the urine and not burn the grass. I think it helped, but I got lazy and didn't stick with it.

So the tomato juice or sauce thing doesn't neutralize the urine. What it does is it causes your dog to drink a lot more than usual thus diluting the urine. It's not recommended at all.

 

[glock]

On a related note: I thatched last spring but didn't Weed & Feed because I had a new pup. Because I hesitated and then didn't get fertilizer down soon enough, ornamental grasses that were planted in surrounding beds invaded and ####ed up my lawn.

I crawled around pulling that crap all last summer. Anyone know how to eradicate that ####?

And would that Weed & Feed mess with a dog??

 

[shuke]

Our biggest problem is just the areas where he likes to hang out when he is out there, which is near the back corner of the houses on each side, he likes to see what is going on out in front. Those areas are getting to the point where there is little grass. I have no idea what to do.

 

[glock]

Our biggest problem is just the areas where he likes to hang out when he is out there, which is near the back corner of the houses on each side, he likes to see what is going on out in front. Those areas are getting to the point where there is little grass. I have no idea what to do.

Pay extra attention to those areas with water and fertilizer.

Please see mine.