Dog urine can quickly cause unsightly stains if it is constantly applied to the same areas of the lawn. This is particularly quick in open front gardens, to which many dogs have access.

damage picture

In principle, urine and faeces are to be regarded as fertilisers. However, if the nutrients are directly influenced, they are concentrated in one place and burn the lawn. It is even more problematic if the dogs always use the same spot to relieve themselves. After the grass initially grows stronger and faster in this area, it quickly turns yellow. The stems look dried up and the roots are dying.

Rescue for the green space

Countermeasures can be taken as long as areas frequently frequented by dogs stand out due to their strong green color, longer stalks and rapid growth. Water the area thoroughly and deeply. If you know approximately when the dogs in question will be passing your property, you can water the lawn at that time. With any luck, the dog will refrain from urinating again if its paws get wet. The water dilutes the dog's urine, making it less aggressive. Nutrients are distributed and flushed into deeper layers of the earth.

Note: If your lawn is frequently visited by dogs, avoid fertilizing it additionally.

Remove yellow spots in green areas

As soon as the spots in the lawn turn yellow, it is too late to save the grass at this point. The roots and thus the stalks die off. Now only a preparation and reseeding of the affected areas helps.
Manual:

  1. Remove all yellow, brown and dead plants.
  2. Remove the top layer of soil and put it in the household waste or on the compost in the garden.
  3. Water the area thoroughly and liberally.
  4. After the spots have dried a little, loosen the soil with a rake. Put new soil that is as nutrient-poor as possible on the spot and mix it with the existing soil.
  5. Level the soil and evenly distribute new lawn seed. Press it down well and water the area.
  6. Keep your lawn evenly moist for at least 4 weeks so as not to endanger the germination of the seeds.
  7. Take appropriate measures to prevent new stains from forming.

prevention

Dog urine is not only a nuisance in lawns, it can also affect other plants in the garden. For example hedge plants or perennials. The easiest way to prevent this is with your own dog. He can learn where to relieve himself and where not. However, educational measures require a lot of patience and perseverance. After that, however, you can be relatively sure that your dog's urine is not responsible for stains in the lawn.

enclosures

If it is a piece of garden that is heavily frequented by other dogs, an enclosure is the best way to help. Although hedges look nicer than fences, they can also be affected by urine, especially young plants. A solid fence is then more suitable. If the fencing is only temporary, you can try an electric fence. Don't forget to mark it appropriately so that dog owners can protect their dog.

dog repellent

There are various methods of keeping dogs away from the property, including products from specialist shops that are diluted with water and poured or sprayed onto the affected areas. Various plants are also said to have a deterrent effect on dogs. In most cases, all measures are aimed at the dog's sense of smell. You can only try whether they really help. It may work for some dogs, others don't care.

Note: Diluting dog urine with water, i.e. watering the garden, still works best. This is another reason why dogs smell their predecessors worse and do not all use the same spot.

stones in the water bowl

If your own dog is the culprit and training measures do not help, you can try so-called dog rocks. These are stones that you place in your dog's water bowl that help neutralize the dog's urine. Nitrates in particular are broken down as a result. The stones are completely harmless for your dog. An adapted diet can also be helpful, avoid feeding your dog too many proteins. When broken down in the digestive tract, a lot of nitrate is produced. If necessary, seek advice from your veterinarian.

Category:

Animals in the garden