What is a good alternative for grass?

Plant hostas in the shady sections, and creeping phlox or some other ground cover in the sunny parts. I would think about putting a pallet with a cushion out there for the dog or keeping a small patch of grass there for him to lay out in the sun. Hope this helps.

Pea Gravel...hostas around the perimeter. A one time investment.. Rake smooth when needed. Easy Peasy.

I have dogs too..makes poop patrol SO much easier than grass...and...NO MUD OR DIRT being tracked in.

Pea gravel sounds like a great idea. Especially if it makes poop patrol easier . Thanks for the suggestion.

Love the ideas, I have a small yard as well and two dogs, I was looking for some ideas creeping plox never thought of planting along the privacy fence I will be planting several rose bushes as well.

If you mow your yard on the highest level, the grass will grow and choke out weeds. use weed and feed and sow some burmuda grass and that my friend will choke out weeds. OR do the pea gravel or mulch . You baby does need a raised pillow bed to sun on. big dogs like that tend to have sore hips. take them to the pet co and let your baby pick out the pillow or even better sam's club has some huge pillow beds.

Plant fast growing shade tree or bush for natural shade for her. Don't go with pine tree variety as they leak sap all over. I have scored big at nurseries by taking "ugly" bushes and giving them a good trim when they are ready.

She loves the feel of earth and grass if she is anything like mine. I agree with Shaley about mowing grass at highest level. There is rubber mulch from recycled tires that is great. A little pricey but worth it for a small area.

I have looked at rubber mulch but was wondering about the odor from the fur-baby when she pees on it. Can you just hose it down?

Sounds great. patio furniture cushions make a great pillow for a pallet, or recycle using foam and a sheet.

How about planting some plants that are native to your area? You could put pea gravel paths and areas to encourage the dog to use those areas. Also makes a nice little patio for you!

Make sure you add lime before a rain it will help. A pallet is a great idea, especially finding one that is smaller and already painted and just needs a good cushion to protect her hips.

Wooly Thyme is a really nice ground cover, is soft under the feet and smells lovely. It's pretty tough - we planted it on a path that got foot traffic daily. I bet your dog would love laying on it.

NO Hosta please! "when a dog eats a Hostaplant vomiting, diarrhea and depression can take hold." If you have a small yard, check into the new Astro-turf, aka fake grass. The new versions look & feel like real grass. No mowing, easy maintenance (scoop poo, then rinse) & different types & height are available. And that gorgeous pup will be able to sun without danger of ingesting toxic plants.

Costco carried rolls of the grass for around a $100 or so last year. Shop around, and see what you can find.

Cedar mulch is good for animals fleas and ticks hate it.....how about a piece of fake lawn for the dog

2-4-D from Atwoods will get rid of the weeds and leave the grass. Read instructions for pet until it is dry.

Thank you

Cute pup!! The cedar mulch or pea gravel are good ideas. I would have a problem with the rubber mulch as I think it would get hotter. And make animal odors smell worse. We use pea gravel in one part of our yard and the dogs are trained to use that area for their "business". We also keep a small covered container where we have a bucket, child size take and a fireplace shovel for regular cleanup.

Everyone has given great ideas - why not a combo? Pea gravel for the majority of the yard, synthethic (fake) grass for a section, and mulch another section where you can plant some ground cover that can be walked on/layed on without a problem.

Lol, I totally agree everyone has great ideas. I am going to do a combo. Pea gravel for the majority of the yard with some large stepping stones for interest. A nice bed for her to sunbathe and some ground cover nearby

Consider a paver patio with small flower beds around it that are easier to maintain. No more mowing or weeding.

One of my fur babies looks like yours, but ears were cropped when he came to live with me. I use NO pesticides or plants that could make them sick. I would also not use pea gravel since it can be picked up in between paw pads and cause soreness. If you want no grass, Home Depot and Lowes have ground covers that stay short, But due diligence is in order.....research what is acceptable for dogs before you take anything home and plant it where your dog can chew on it. Also, there is a mulch available, Cedar, I think, which does not splinter and hurt the dogs paws. It is a little more expensive, but seems to work well. Also, there are composters designed to be buried to put dog waste in and it will break down...sort of like a mini septic tank. Good luck with your project. PS.....I sewed two beach towels together on one short and both long sides, put Velcro closure on the 2nd short end and stuffed it full of bed pillows. My dog loves it and I can take it apart and wash all pillows and towel cover. Easy care and plenty soft. I used 5 pillows. I purchased the towels at Costco, used my old bed pillows and purchased new pillows for my bed. Worked great and both dogs love it.

We opted for "doggie astroturf". I'm sure it has an official (and better sounding) name, but that's what we call it. There's a layer of gravel and sand underneath and pee just runs right through it. We're pretty diligent about picking up the poop, so we never let that get to be a problem. Our dog loves it!

Thank you for the suggestion

something that you can hose down easy ro keep clean and keep the fleas at bay with a comfortable out door big pilow

All great ideas and suggestions here for minimum maintenance and how to separate the potty area from the rest area. I really think you should save her a grassy spot for her lounging. The ground/grass is both cool and comfy for dogs and the scent is real rather than synthetic. Whichever you choose, I hope you'll update us what you do and give us pics.

Get some WHITE CLOVER seeds. Clover is so much cooler when touched. I'd have a whole yard of clover than grass any day. I'm a barefoot person and clover is so much cooler to the feet. My dogs (also black and will lay in the sun in the summer heat) lay in the clover over the grass. Yes, there will still be some mowing but not anywhere near as often as grass and the mower moves thru it much easier. The clover I have planted in my front yard is starting to take over the grass. (Yay!) White clover grows in sun or shade.

Clover may not be maintenance free, but it is the coolest to touch option I have found with much less maintenance than grass. Gravel does get as hot as sidewalks in the sun. If it's too hot for your feet, it's too hot for your dog's feet. Also easier on the feet and ankles for both humans and dogs.

Also... plant Day Lilies along fences. They will choke out the grass (because the bushiness of the plants doesn't allow light under it so no grass, or weeds) to the point no weed wacking is needed.

Good Luck!