How to Repair Doggy Damage to the Lawn

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

If naughty neighborhood dogs have left yellow spots in your lawn, there is a simple treatment that will fix the problem. Now, all you have to do is figure out how to keep the dogs from coming back!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Garden Hoses And Attachments
  • Garden Trowels
  • Lawn Seed
  • Potting Soil
  • Limes
  • Gallon Milk Jugs

Step1
Soak the yellow area of the lawn with water as soon as you see evidence of damage. This may mean taking immediate action if you happen to see the dog while she is in the process of urinating. Allow the hose to run directly on the spot for 5 or more minutes.
Step2
Cover the damaged area with horticultural lime. Lime neutralizes the acid in the urine and will prevent the area from turning color, if caught in time.
Step3
Reseed severely damaged areas. Remove the patch of turf to a depth of 2", place fresh new potting soil in the area, then sprinkle with lawn seed. Keep the newly seeded area moist until the seed germinates.

Tips & Warnings

  • A tried-and-true folk remedy is to place plastic one-gallon milk jugs filled with water around the perimeter of your property, to prevent dogs from entering.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Fill a two-litre, clear-plastic bottle with tap water - an old cold drink bottle should do. After closing it, lay it down on the lawn, preferably somewhere central. This should keep those pesky critters from fouling up your lawn.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I have been giving my two female dogs (both spayed) tomato juice (about 1/4 cup) mixed with their food. It has been very effective.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/6/2007 Has anyone heard of applying dishwashing detergent mixed with vinegar to the brown spots?

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 It is a hormone found in female dogs pee that kills the grass. There are pills they sell to give to your dog.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 This only works for male dogs- neutered or not. Give the male dog 1-2 tbsp. of tomato juice daily. The acidity in the tomato juice acts with the urine to neutralize. Due to the different chemical make-up of female urine, the tomato juice isn't effective.

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eHow Article:  How to Repair Doggy Damage to the Lawn

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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