The Grass Doctor

how to maintain a heavy-traffic lawn?

my dogs spend a lot of time out in my fenced-in backyard and it's really doing a number on the grass. Actually it's destroyed the grass. What I'd like to do next spring is try to re-grow the grass out back and try to rotate the dogs between the front and back yards every 2-5 days, haven't figured out exactly how many days would be the best for this or if it's even a good idea at all. Are there any lawn care tips that can help me to keep my grass while letting the dogs use the yard too?

Public Comments

1. lawns and dogs do not work together. The constant compaction of their trails kills the grass. The pee and poo kills the grass. The digging, etc.......sigh. Most people with dogs (me) have larger lawns and a tough grass......tall fescue. In cities, I build dog yards with fences, shade and bark chips or gravel for the base. Humans had their space and dogs' theirs. And yes, often the dogs had more. They were allowed on the human lawn when we were outside with them but never for more than a few hours each day. That way any pee spots could be immediately rinsed down to avoid spotting. If you cannot dedicate dog yards, then yes, rotation is good, but also plan on regular aerating to reduce compaction and near continual reseeding...maybe to a tougher grass. Remember they get destructive with boredom. Keep them confined and then when you are home, exercise their and your legs off with long, long walks, runs and visits to the dog park. Mental exercise such as obedience and agility training will also keep them fit and mentally working .........so they pass out at home.