Keeping your grass green, healthy, and weed-free is hard enough under the best of conditions. If you have a dog, however, it is even more challenging. Dogs are notoriously hard on lawns, often causing damage and dead spots. Fortunately, there are some steps that pet owners can take to keep their grass healthy and strong. Check out these tips for effective lawn maintenance with a dog to help your lawn start looking better today.
Dealing With Waste
When dogs urinate on your lawn, it can cause dead patches to appear. This is the result of the high nitrogen content of their urine. There are a couple of different ways that you can deal with this. One option is to try to dilute the urine by watering the area where they urinate as soon as possible after the fact. Obviously, this isn’t always possible since you may not always be there when your dog does his business.
Another option is to train your dog to use a designated potty area in your yard. Try putting in a small section of gravel near the back of your lawn. Train your dog to use that area for urinating. You can make it look like a landscape feature rather than a bathroom. Once they learn to go there to do their business, you usually will experience far fewer dead patches in your lawn.
It is also important to clean up solid waste regularly. Don’t allow it to accumulate on your lawn. Instead, try to scoop up any messes on a daily basis. This will help ensure that your lawn stays as healthy as possible.
Getting A Handle On Digging
Most dogs love to dig in the dirt. Some breeds like terriers and dachshunds, in particular, were specifically bred to hunt burrowing animals, which means that they have a strong instinct to dig. This can be bad news for your lawn.
Again, there are a couple of different approaches that you can take to deal with this problem. First and foremost, you should make sure that your dog is getting enough exercise. Dogs that are bored or that aren’t burning off enough energy are more likely to look for ways to entertain themselves. Unfortunately, that often means digging. Spend time playing with your dog every day and make sure they have plenty of toys available to keep them entertained.
Another option is to create an area where your dog is allowed to dig. Putting in a small sandbox specifically for your dog is a good option. Just remember that you will need to spend time training them to only dig in the sandbox and not to dig elsewhere.
Using The Right Lawn Care Products
If you are going to apply any chemicals to your lawn, make sure that they are safe for pets. Follow the instructions closely to keep from accidentally poisoning your dog.
Lawn maintenance with a dog is all about preventing damage and using the right products. By learning to deal with dog waste effectively, giving your dog a dedicated place to dig, and using pet-friendly lawn care products, you can help keep your lawn in great shape.