It never fails. Every time I present a topic on lawns, I am always asked, “How do you prevent lawn damage if you have dogs?” Being a dog owner for as long as I can remember, I have had my fair share of ragged lawns and muddy pawprints. Let’s start by examining the why and the how in which our lovable pooches are so efficient at destroying our turf.
First is the foot traffic — or should I say paw traffic? A typical suburban backyard is no substitute for what your dog’s range would be in the wild. Often, backyard dogs will wear down paths in the lawn from circling or pacing. Not only is this hard on the lawn itself, but it also leads to compacted soil, making reestablishing turf in these locations more difficult.
Then you have the No. 1 issue when it comes to lawns and dogs. Dog urine is high in nitrogen. While nitrogen is your lawn’s favorite nutrient, what your dog delivers is much too high and burns the turf, much like an over-application of lawn fertilizer.
Often, dead spots in turf caused by dog urine are bordered by dark green, healthy grass. This is because these peripheral grasses don’t get hit by the high nitrogen but enjoy a good boost as it leaches over in the soil.
So, what is a dog owner to do? Here are my suggestions based upon sound turf practices and experience with my own dogs and lawn.
Train your dog where to do its business. This follows a basic reward training system. Take your dog out on a leash to a designated spot in your backyard. Reward with a treat when they go. This is a training exercise of conditioning their mind, so it requires persistence.
Create a non-turf area. Create a spot covered in wood mulch, gravel or leaves with no other landscape plants. Placing some type of vertical element like a wood post or birdbath pedestal can aid in encouraging male dogs to mark their territory on those items rather than your prized rose.
Clean up their mess. Use baggies to remove dog waste or a rake to break up piles of excrement. Canine waste (or feline for that matter) should NOT be added to compost piles or used as any type of soil amendment.
Dilute potty spots. Yes, this means having a watering can on hand and following your dog around and watering where they voided their bladder. It does work to reduce the burning of vegetation, but you will still get darker green patches in these areas from the extra nitrogen.
Rotate. Just as a rancher rotates their livestock to different pastures, so too can you rotate your pet around your yard to allow for lawn recovery. While this doesn’t necessarily prevent damage, it does help keep portions of your lawn healthy.
Supply your pet with plenty of water. A dehydrated pup’s urine has a higher concentration of nitrogen; therefore, let your dog drink water as they need it. Supplements marketed to “neutralize dog urine” are generally ineffective and not recommended.
Go on walks. Grab your leash and your dog and stroll around the neighborhood. Be a good neighbor and don’t just transfer your lawn problems to someone else. Pick appropriate spots for your dog to do its business and clean up after them. Plus, walking with your dog is great exercise and a wonderful bonding experience.
Most of these are simply suggestions, as there is no magic bullet when it comes to our four-legged friends and damaged lawns, save not having a dog. For me, that’s not an option.
