Keeping a Lush, Green Lawn When You Have a Dog
For dog owners, a pristine lawn can feel more like fantasy than a possibility.
After all, our canine companions view a lush, green yard as an enticing blank canvas for their artistic masterpieces – whether expressed through digging randomly intersecting tunnels or using their urine as a vibrant, yellow spray paint.
But before you resign yourself to the neighborhood lawn pariah, know this: with the right techniques and dedication, you can absolutely have both – an amazing lawn that makes your lawn-obsessed neighbor jealous, and a happy pup that still has the run of the backyard.
Here are our top tips for keeping your grass green while giving your dog the yard time they need (without compromising your natural lawn in the process).
Tip #1: Choose a Resilient Grass Type
Not all grass is created equal when it comes to standing up to dog traffic and bathroom behaviors. Some varieties are simply more durable and resistant than others. When installing a new lawn or overseeding, opt for a tough, dog-friendly species like:
Bermuda Grass – This warm weather grass has deep roots and spreads quickly via runners to fill in bare spots. Its dense, wear-resistant growth pattern holds up well to active dogs.
Fescue – With its clump-forming growth habit and deep root system, fescue handles dog traffic and drought nicely. The thick blades form a lush carpet that masks some discoloration.
Ryegrass – As one of the fastest establishing grasses, ryegrass can bounce back rapidly after wear and tear. The fine blades create a lush, bright green lawn that repairs itself quickly.
Switching to a dog-proof seed blend will give your lawn a much better fighting chance against Fido from the start.
Tip #2: Create a Bathroom Spot
One of the biggest culprits of lawn damage from dogs is the concentrated nitrogen in their urine. When your pup constantly goes in the same areas, it can lead to unsightly burn spots that seem impossible to recover from. Your best defense? Designating a specific bathroom zone.
Pick an out-of-the-way corner of the yard and train your dog to do their business there using reward-based methods. Line the area with sod or pea gravel to prevent any grass damage. You can even install a canine rock area or surface it with mulch or decomposed granite to absorb the urine.
Enforce this habit diligently, and any lawn staining issues will be neatly confined to one sacrificial location that’s much easier to manage.
Tip #3: Neutralize Pet Spot Treatment
If burn spots have already cropped up around your lawn from your dog’s bathroom behaviors, there are specialized pet spot treatment products that can help neutralize those areas. These granular treatments work in a few different ways:
- Neutralizing the nitrogen salts and other compounds in urine to stop further damage
- Adding nutrients back into the soil to encourage new grass growth
- Absorbing existing odors that attract repeat incidents in that spot
For existing damage, gently rake the area to roughen up the soil, apply the treatment as directed, water thoroughly, and keep your dog away until new growth emerges. With a few treatments, those unsightly yellow and brown spots should be a thing of the past.
Tip #4: Build a Dog Run
Some dogs simply have too much energy to appropriately share the entire yard. In these cases, you may want to consider sectioning off a dedicated dog run or play area. This prevents your lawn from turning into a dirt track while still giving your pup ample room to roam and play.
Using a semi-permeable border material like decorative fencing or landscape timbers, section off a reasonable space and cover it with a sturdy ground cover like gravel or pea gravel. You can even pour a dog-safe mulch in the area if you prefer.
Encourage your dog to do their high-impact running, digging, and playing in this zone so your lawn stays intact. Plant some hardy ground cover plants around the perimeter for added texture.
Tip #5: Stay on Schedule
Maintaining a lush, healthy lawn as a dog owner really boils down to diligent care and keeping on a routine maintenance schedule. Be sure to:
- Mow regularly at the appropriate height (3-4 inches for most grasses)
- Fertilize 2-3 times per year with a slow-release, nitrogen-rich formula
- Aerate compacted areas annually to allow greater air flow to the roots
- Overseed bare or thinning patches each spring and fall
- Provide about 1 inch of water weekly through irrigation or rain
The more you stick to optimal lawncare practices, the better your grass will look and withstand your dog’s antics.
With these tips, you absolutely can enjoy a lush, carpet-like lawn worthy of the neighborhood’s envy – even while sharing your outdoor space with a four-legged companion.