California Gardening: Dog deterrent, 1 by Twincol

Twincol wrote:
Good, Weegy, you're doing all the right stuff. And as you've got a puppy, it will likely have a longlasting training effect. That, of course, doesn't help with the damage occurring today. My 70lb poodle drinks so much water that his urine is so dilute as to not damage the grass as other males have in the past. Besides, we live with bermuda in our Fresno backyard, which may be more tolerant of such "heat."

The only other thing I might suggest is what I ultimately did. I live in a 60+YO neighborhood on a corner lot. I was actually more concerned about making the doggies invisible to those who might walk by and upon being challenged by these guys might want to take one or more of them home with them. Not to mention fence-jumping, which I've also lived with in the past.

So, I took the 9-ft-wide space between the house and fence on the inner side of the house and built a kennel with a doggie door into the garage for them. I placed an end-cap (1X4" every 4 inches) and covered the top (2X2"X60'), planting star jasmine, 1/2 concrete, 1/2 pee, errr pea, gravel. The dogs are not tempted to jump fences, confront walk-by's, destroy rose bush beds while I am away from home. The space was otherwise invisible and barren without a door to the area driving foot traffic. It was a perfect solution and use of the space for me and may not be so for others.

You're struggling with a common canine problem for which I am grateful not to be dealing with just now. My 55lb poodle girl, however, is 13 years old and I may again face a "leave my yard alone" battle, which I remember well and dread! My very best wishes for a solution which works for you and your grass.

My apologies if I sounded like I have all the answers, because I sure don't. I just wanted to pass along the wisdom I've gained and has worked for me over 40 years as an adult dog owner, hoping some of it might generate some ideas which will work for you.

Warmly,
Linda

Here's a pic of my "kids'" kennel from the yard