Plant Doctor Archive

'Doggy' patches on lawn

Dog urine is destroying the lawn. Is there anything I can do about it?

You don't say if it is your dog or someone else's! If it is someone else's dog, the logical answer is to keep the dog off your property with appropriate fencing. However, if that is not possible, or if it is your dog, there are a few things you can try.

Some people swear by commercial dog repellents — I can't say that these have worked for me, but you might have more luck. Other people like to position plastic bottles all over their lawns. I think the jury is out on whether that is effective, but it does give the neighbours something to laugh at! You could get rid of the lawn altogether and pave the area (an expensive option), but the most sensible suggestion, I feel, is that you replant your lawn with a tougher grass species — choose one of the selections from the garden centre that is described as being harder wearing. If you know where the dog is urinating, you might try hosing the area down to dilute it. Good luck.

Advice by Dr Dan Blanchon from Unitec's Diploma in Sustainable Horticulture and Bachelor of Resource Management.

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