Lawn is a mess!!!

I posted on the landscaping site too,
My dogs have destroyed a large area of grass from around the deck. Its all eroded dirt from traffic and burnt holes from urine. Please help I spend so much time trying to fix it and it only gets worse!!!

Im hoping to fix the yard rather than retrain the dogs or give supplements.

Dear Greta-Greta,
.
I have heard that if you have dogs that run free in your garden, you have to sacrifice the garden/LAWN. IT IS ONE OR THE OTHER! They cannot co-exist! Dog urine will burn grass. You can try some lime and a lot of leaching with water, but it is VERY detrimental to grass!

I have also heard that dogs will not "do their business" if you have Ammonia around. Try small containers of it around the most used areas and see what happens. However, they may just move to a different area. Good luck!

Gitagal. ( Gita ) (I have been called Greta quite often!)

A while back there was a similiar type of thread on the Pets forum I think. Does somebody remember it? I think it dealt with how to train your dogs to just use one place for a potty spot. As I recall there was mention of a sandy area that was for the dogs potty place and treats and praise were given every time they went in the right place, no treat and maybe a verbal repremand if they went in the wrong place. I know I read this somewhere.

Thanks, yeah... I found those sights. I was hoping for an easy plant solution rather than dealing with the pets........ I have another thread about this going on landscaping...... Just wish someone made a grass mix for animal Ph. Seems like an entrepenureal goldmine!!!!
Greta

yes, I have heard that in order to have both, you need a kennel/dog run for your dogs. Everyone I know that have dogs that have "free rein" in their yard, do not have grass. My neighbor has dogs, and while at work, she keeps them in a kennel. They play with her in the yard after she gets home. Her yard is nice - because she's there the whole time with them, keeping them in line.

They are in a dog yard... cept we share that fenced area with our kitchen deck...and 2 young kids.
I know... good planning. oops
Thats country livin.

I know a friend that has used these items with success:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=820&Ne=2000&R=25260&Ntt=yard&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallany&Np=1&N=2001

and

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=12&pCatId=7581

That worked well with the burnt grass. As for the dirt patches, my dogs seem to dig everywhere that dirt is present....grassy areas they never touch. Consider lava rock as a walkway, which will also encourage dirt to leave their paws before making their way to the common area. Also, pavers are a great idea, as they are easier on human feet.

Strange, with two dogs of my own, I've never seen urine stains. Maybe its the choice of grass as well? We just feed them Iams, so nothing special there. But, we do have St Augustine which is definitely hardy grass....has never ever ever shown any sign of urine burn.

Are your dogs male? Its the females that burn.

one male and one female for me...i spoke to my boyfriend as well. he has always had females and he has said that he has never seen a single solitary burn mark on st augustine grass, and he's had this type of grass for 10+ years....its obviously very tolerant to all types of abuse. not the most cushy grass of course, but extremely hardy.

Thanks, wonder if itll grow up here,my guess is not but Ill definitly check it out. I appreciate your effort.