Do you let your dog "go" on the grass? *UPDATE*

We recently moved and we have a huge yard with a lot of grass and plant bushes. Our previous yard was mainly concrete so we didn't have this issue. I just don't want the grass and plants to get destroyed.

Thanks!

*UPDATE*

So we've been at our new place for a little over two weeks...Max has a favorite place to go on the grass (near a beautiful rose bush) and guess what?! The grass is dying and we don't know what to do about it! Its not the poop bc that we pick up right away, its his acidic pi$$! On the other hand, we had DS's little basketball hoop on the grass for a couple of days and when we removed it from the grass, the area was dead...could it be the grass? I am so new to this stuff...I mean its great that he goes in one spot but it $ucks that the area is turning yellow...is there anything we can do?

Message edited 6/17/2009 4:11:35 PM.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

we tried to only have our dog go in one section.. but that didnt work out too well.. so she goes all over. it actually doesn't affect the lawn too much..suprisingly!

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

You can train your dog to go in just one section, but it will take time on your part.. You have to take your dog straight there to that spot every time and make a big fuss every he/she goes. Eventually they will associate that spot to going. Takes a while, but worth it in the long run.

I did it with my last dog and once he was trained, even in the middle of playing on the lawn, he'd stop and run to "his spot" to go.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

First we trained Kasey to go in the area of our backyard that was all dirt. Then we put sod down and didn't want her to go there anymore so we trained her to go where we have pebbles, and to stay off the lawn. She learned pretty quickly, like the PP said, just make a big deal about it when they do the right thing.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

Captaib Bob goes in the backyard, but we pick it up right away.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

Ali does #1 wherever, #2 she does only at the edges of the yard or behind the shed...that's her favorite spot. She likes to go in out of the way places...we try to pick up as much as possible, but she really doesn't like going in the middle of the yard anyway....

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

We trained Maverick to go in only one section.

Message edited 6/1/2009 9:55:42 PM.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

i KNOW plenty of people who train there dog to go in a specific area.. unfortunately I didnt and I regret it.. Although she dosen't RUIN anything its so annoying to walk all over the yard looking for the poop.. Also being pregnant I want to vomit doing it.. Dh is useless..

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass?

Ours go on the grass. It hasn't destroyed it yet. We're pretty good about picking up after them though.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass? *UPDATE*

Bump with an update about our grass issue.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass? *UPDATE*

The grass under the basketball hoop died because it didn't get any sun.

The grass from the dog is dying because the acidity kills it. But, if he is going in just one spot, I would let it go as you don't have to worry about burnt grass all over the yard.

Re: Do you let your dog "go" on the grass? *UPDATE*

I'm assuming there isn't another area of your yard you could pick without grass? My dog used to go behind the shed or in the ivy.

it would be a pain, but you could hose down the spot when your dog goes..