How to Repair Doggy Damage to the Lawn

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!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

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

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

[k9lover]

on 9/27/2008 That is a lot of work. Who has lime on hand? I have been using K9 Yard Patch. It is mixed with seed and gypsum. www.k9yardpatch.com

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.

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.

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

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.