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It’s no secret that dogs can wreak havoc on a lawn and turn what could potentially be a perfect patch into an expanse of grass dotted with urine spots and unsightly holes.
And while dogs will do what dogs do, it would be unfair to keep them off your lawn and curtail their chance to exercise and expend energy.
To help you repair your lawn after dog damage and to find preventative measures to lessen the destruction, I’ve called on lawn care pros to reveal their secrets. And it appears that even if you are a dog owner, you can have a lawn to be proud of.
Dog urine is the worst offender
The first thing your dog is likely to do when it runs out onto your lawn is to have a wee. And as they are creatures of habit, that are likely to have a favorite spot. So, if you're lucky, they won’t decimate your whole expanse of grass. But wherever they urinate, they leave a mark, and it's what's in the urine that damages the lawn.
“Dog urine is high in nitrogen, which can scorch grass. The nitrogen content isn’t too dissimilar from bleach or ammonia and it leaves behind a lighter patch as if the lawn has been burned,” explains Jonathan Davis, grass expert at Lawnsmith. “And similarly with bleach, it’s the concentration of your dog’s wee that causes the issue.”
You may be wondering why the nitrogen in dogs’ urine damages grass when nitrogen is used as a lawn fertilizer. The problem lies when it is sprayed in a concentrated area. In this scenario, Davis says it can kill off your grass in days.
This concentration of nitrogen results in another problem, too. “It can also cause grass around it to grow faster, so you end up with uneven growth,” he adds.
The damage caused by dog urine is known as ‘dog spot’, but Jason McCauslan, national technical coordinator at Weed Man, says it can be confused with other damage often caused by road salt or fertilizer spills, and says, “you can identify a dog spot by the margin of dark green, rapidly growing grass surrounding a bright yellow patch of dying grass.”
The size of the spots will also vary depending on whether your dog is male or female. Iryna Smyrnova, vet at Meowoff, says, “Due to the nature of how females and males urinate, female dogs and dogs that consistently urinate in one location will likely produce a larger circular ‘dead zone’.”
How to treat urine burn
To reduce the damage to your lawn, you have to act fast to prevent urine burn. Dilution is key. “Always water the area that your dog has urinated on straight away. This will dilute the nitrogen and salts, preventing fertilizer-burn-like damage to your lawn,” recommends Angelika Zaber, lawncare specialist and gardening expert at Online Turf.
Having a full watering can ready to go, or a hose close at hand, are cheap and quick tactics that can help reduce the problem.
If this is difficult to do, or you never get there in time, she recommends training your dog to urinate elsewhere in your yard where there isn’t any grass.
Hilary Thompson, horticultural and communications director at Super-Sod & Soil, has personal experience of this issue. She trained her new dog to urinate in a mulched area by leading her there and praising her when she peed on the leaves. You might also want to try a gravel bed, or, if this method doesn’t work for you, install a barrier, such as a fence.
Dilute and then reseed
Once you’ve diluted the nitrogen in your grass, you may also need to reseed your lawn to help it become thick and healthy once more. Gene Caballero, cofounder at GreenPal, then says that before scattering the lawn seed, you’ll need to rake out the dead grass and loosen the soil, then water it deeply and apply the seed, before covering it with topsoil.
Diving in to dog holes
Aside from your pet using your lawn as a toilet, your four-legged friend is highly likely to get the zoomies from time to time. The result? A calmer dog, after it’s spun around in circles, chasing its tail, but a distressed lawn, and one that’s likely to include holes.
Why do dogs dig holes in lawns? According to Zaber, most of the time it’s because they are bored or anxious. However, this is not necessarily the case, as Smyyrnova adds it can also be due to the breed, especially if it was originally bred for hunting or digging.
To help prevent your dog from digging up your lawn, Zaber says, “Make sure that they receive a lot of stimulation. This can include long walks, interactive toys, and mental stimulation toys, such as puzzles.”
Aside from keeping your dog active, she also recommends teaching your dog to only dig in one spot, so that they leave the rest of your lawn alone. And she adds, “If these methods do not work, you can always install a chicken wire just below the soil, as it will feel uncomfortable on their paws.”
How to fix holes in your lawn
This method is similar to when reseeding spots where your dog has urinated, but this time you’ll need to fill in the hole before adding the seed.
Begin to fill the hole in your lawn with topsoil, and ensure it is level with the ground. Zaber suggests giving it some water to allow it to settle, then adding more topsoil if needed.
Once you are happy with the ground level, add your grass seed and cover it with a thin layer of topsoil. “This will reduce the chances of them being blown away or eaten by birds,” says Zaber.
McCauslan also advises sectioning off this area of your lawn for a few weeks while the seeds germinate, and to prevent your dog from digging fresh holes.
For instant results, you may prefer to lay new turf, but do fill in the hole before laying it to ensure it stays level.
The best type of grass for pet owners
Even though your dog may be your best friend, it’s hard not to get annoyed when it causes chaos to your lawn, and this problem is intensified if there are two or more partners in crime.
Although you can step in to undo some of the damage or train your dog to urinate or dig holes elsewhere in your yard, there is another way to reduce the distress. The type of grass you choose will make a difference.
Not all lawns are built the same. Starting with a grass seed that is more durable will help it withstand the challenges your furry friend presents
Jonathan Davis, Lawnsmith
“Not all lawns are built the same. Starting with a grass seed that is more durable will help it withstand the challenges your furry friend presents,” says Davis.
He also adds that varieties that are strong and quick to establish suit heavily used gardens that often have children and pets playing in them.
So what does he suggest if you own a dog? "Perennial ryegrass and fescue are a great combination. Ryegrass is durable and will grow quickly, while fescue produces a finer-leaved grass that will provide a lush, green lawn.”
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