How to Keep Dogs From Turning a Lawn Brown
You value your nice green lawn. You spent a good deal of money planting and maintaining it. Then you bring a dog into your family, and in no time, your beautiful lawn has developed brown spots from the doggie doing his daily duty on it. It can be disheartening--and maddening! But don't blame the pooch: There are solutions and preventive measures you can take to ensure that your cherished greenery remains the way you want it. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sugar or sugary beverages
- Garden hose and water
- Leash
- Pheromone post (optional)
- Mouthwash
- Dish soap
- Hose sprayer
Instructions
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How to Keep Your Lawn Green When You Own a Dog
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1
When you first get a new dog, whether a puppy or an older dog, train him to relieve himself in designated areas. Walk him on a leash to the approved location and continue with this practice until he gets it.
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2
If you catch your pooch peeing in an unapproved place, immediately hose down the area with a stream from your garden hose.
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3
Sprinkle sugar or non-diet soda (or even fruit juice) on the spot. The sugar can help to neutralize the high nitrogen content of the urine.
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4
Commercially available plastic yard posts that contain a pheromone can be effective in attracting dogs to any area--specifically the place where you want your pet to "go." (See the link under Resources.)
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5
To neutralize the odor from pet eliminations, combine 2 cups of amber-colored mouthwash, 2 ounces of green dishwashing soap and 2 gallons of water. Put these ingredients in a hose sprayer and saturate the area. The mouthwash helps to destroy bacteria and the soap helps it to stick.
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6
To decrease the volume of your dog’s feces, feed him a raw or homemade diet.
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Tips & Warnings
Repeat the mouthwash/dish soap application every three to five days, and do it again if it rains.
Raw dog food is commercially available, but can be quite expensive.
Do not allow your dog to eat grass that has been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. Eating non-treated grass is all right, to a point. Just don’t allow the dog to eat too much of the green stuff.
