Dogs and the Lawn!!!
Dogs and the Lawn!!!
I have an English Pointer that is almost a year old and a Jack Russell Terrier that is a little over 2. The terrier was fine on my lawn...she only weighs about 10 lbs. Having a large dog had done a number on the grass! We have a nice back yard. Nothing huge, but room for a patio, swingset, and the dogs to run. Problem is there are matted down dirt trails now. I'm not a fanatic about the lawn, but I would like grass! Is there any sort of grass that will stand up to this high traffic?!?! (I'm in SE Minnesota) Any help would be great!!!
I have "traveling lawn furniture"
As I see a path being beaten down, I move a nice little cluster of lawn chairs or a park bench in the way, which changes the traffic pattern. I do this weekly as I'm mowing the lawn, sometimes throwing down some extra seed as I go, and I've managed to maintain my lawn fairly well with anywhere from 2-5 Brittanys trampling all over it for the last 8 years. It's a challenge, and you have to catch the paths just as they're being formed, but it does work.
As I see a path being beaten down, I move a nice little cluster of lawn chairs or a park bench in the way, which changes the traffic pattern. I do this weekly as I'm mowing the lawn, sometimes throwing down some extra seed as I go, and I've managed to maintain my lawn fairly well with anywhere from 2-5 Brittanys trampling all over it for the last 8 years. It's a challenge, and you have to catch the paths just as they're being formed, but it does work.
Move out to the country and fence in oh say 4 or5 acres
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"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go
where they went."
Will Rogers, 1897-1935
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=5210
"If there are no dogs in Heaven,
then when I die I want to go
where they went."
Will Rogers, 1897-1935
same problem here!
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Who ever said you cant buy happyness forgot about puppies.
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Who ever said you cant buy happyness forgot about puppies.
Fescues are more heat and traffic tolerant than blue grass. And if you are in the south Bermuda is excellent.
Ezzy
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
-
- Rank: Master Hunter
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I think fescu is the toughest. I fenced in a 200 ft by 75ft area with the house at the corner. I still have the race track going around the out side edges and a track from the patio down to the kennel but thats it. I have 7 dogs and sometimes up to 2 more for training. Thinking of puttining concrete from kennel to patio. That trail around the outside up next to the fence is kind of nice, no weed eating to do there, and no weeds growing up into the chainlink.
"GET THE POINT" http://www.phillipsgundogs.com Family and Shorthairs, it don't get any better than that!
Phillips' Tiptoe'n Tucker MH
Phillips' Lucy in Diguise SH
Phillips' Tiptoe'n Tucker MH
Phillips' Lucy in Diguise SH
-
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3 joes, I think thats what I planted when we built our house and it seems to hold up well. It does not take very much water either. I think I might have had some red fescu mixed in there also.
Chad
Chad
"GET THE POINT" http://www.phillipsgundogs.com Family and Shorthairs, it don't get any better than that!
Phillips' Tiptoe'n Tucker MH
Phillips' Lucy in Diguise SH
Phillips' Tiptoe'n Tucker MH
Phillips' Lucy in Diguise SH
- zodiakgsps
- Rank: Master Hunter
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- Joined: Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:47 pm
- Location: Erie PA
I gave up on grass with the dogs running about, then ended up fencing off a good portion of the yard & put down cement & gravel, now I have grass & a nice garden again in the remaining portion & no muddy paws. (although a few escaped last year into the yard since someone didn't latch the gate - they ate half my garden, dang goats!! Ate cantalopes rind & all, peppers-even hot ones! & maters too. )
- gunner
- Rank: 4X Champion
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I think you're on the right track with the fescue.
The old KY31 is tough but it's a clump grass and lives up to it's name as being coarse.
My suggestion would be to buy a blend of the modern dwarf cultivars. This would probably be known as a 3 or more blend of the modern cultivars of turf-type tall fescue with 5-10 percentage of bluegrass to help the fill-in.
The old KY31 is tough but it's a clump grass and lives up to it's name as being coarse.
My suggestion would be to buy a blend of the modern dwarf cultivars. This would probably be known as a 3 or more blend of the modern cultivars of turf-type tall fescue with 5-10 percentage of bluegrass to help the fill-in.
Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue is the toughest. It's used on ball fields and other high traffic areas where a thick tough cover is desired. However, it's not got it's limitations too.
It's popularity has been blamed for the demise of the bobwhite quail population in this country also. Really thick at the base.
It's popularity has been blamed for the demise of the bobwhite quail population in this country also. Really thick at the base.
I was at a fair last fall and this guy was selling man-made truf that was specially designed for dog kennels. It is made of a material that will not mold, is tear resistant and feels like grass. I know it was pretty expensive, but i'd have to think really long and hard about it.... You put it over concrete or cushion it with a layer of sand/gravel/shredded rubber. I can't remember what it was called.....
We have done something with nothing for so long we are now qualified to do everything with anything....
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http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=275
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While we're on the grass subject, is there any help for the yellow spot left by continual urination in one spot?
Seems my girl likes to pee in one area and I suspect the acidity is killing the grass there.
Can I use some sort of fertilizer or lyme to counter act the acid if thats what the problem is?
Thank you
Gary
Seems my girl likes to pee in one area and I suspect the acidity is killing the grass there.
Can I use some sort of fertilizer or lyme to counter act the acid if thats what the problem is?
Thank you
Gary
GL--I've never used this product and wouldn't know where to purchase it. I just so happened to watch The Today Show this morning, and the had a segment on lawn care including this product. Sprays on green for an immediate color fix, and then suppose to fix problem and be safe for dog. Don't know if it will work if dog pees in same spot every time. My dog keeps nailing an evergreen bush, and I'm wondering what it's going to look like in the spring. Below is paste up from Today show's site. Denise
Simple Solution Lawn Spot Away
Price: $10.99 32 oz., $19.99 64 oz.
When preparing for outdoor entertaining, it's always embarrassing to have patchy grass and burn marks on your lawn. Simple Solution Lawn Spot Away instantly repairs lawn blemishes and promotes regrowth. The natural green color dries quickly and blends with a variety of grass types. Instantly repairs pet-urine burn marks on lawns with a natural green color. Works continuously to break down pet urine with bacteria and enzymes. Safe for use around pets.
Simple Solution Lawn Spot Away
Price: $10.99 32 oz., $19.99 64 oz.
When preparing for outdoor entertaining, it's always embarrassing to have patchy grass and burn marks on your lawn. Simple Solution Lawn Spot Away instantly repairs lawn blemishes and promotes regrowth. The natural green color dries quickly and blends with a variety of grass types. Instantly repairs pet-urine burn marks on lawns with a natural green color. Works continuously to break down pet urine with bacteria and enzymes. Safe for use around pets.
I would spray the areas with the hose during the summer. The yellow color comes from the burning of the grass from the urine. Wash it off and you will be ok. Hard to do in the winter but will work in the summer.
Ezzy
Ezzy
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=144
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=207
It's not how many breaths you have taken but how many times it has been taken away!
Has anyone noticed common sense isn't very common anymore.
Thanks Wems! I've seen this advertised also and I guess I am a bit of a skeptic when a product is advertised on TV.
If Billy Mays sells it I already know I can get twice as much of something that won't work for $19.99 plus $29.99 in shipping and handeling with a life time guaranty & all I have to pay is the shipping every time! LOL
I was hoping one of our lawn care members might offer up some good advice but I do have a big yard and can get by with a yellow patch where she prefers to pee. I've been known to join her myself which might even be part of the problem!
Gary
If Billy Mays sells it I already know I can get twice as much of something that won't work for $19.99 plus $29.99 in shipping and handeling with a life time guaranty & all I have to pay is the shipping every time! LOL
I was hoping one of our lawn care members might offer up some good advice but I do have a big yard and can get by with a yellow patch where she prefers to pee. I've been known to join her myself which might even be part of the problem!
Gary
- gunner
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The stuff won't work.
Here's the lowdown from Purdue University...
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/dog_l ... blems.html
Here's the lowdown from Purdue University...
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/dog_l ... blems.html