Wha can I use for a ground covering for an outside "john" for my dogs

The are are numerous options depending on budget and skill level

1. put down weed barrier and then decomposed granite (from a "gravel" supplier) looks like dirt but packs well when "tamped" sprinkled and does not get as muddy as dirt...and doggie duty is easier to clean up

small scale gravel would also work... but it is harder to pooper scoop on.

2. use artificial turf (get the one for pets..better drainage and anti-bacterial properties).. you may want to spend extra to get it professionally put down.. or find a handy man to do it.

3. Divide the yard and use both artificial turf and gravel or decomposed granite.. with pavers or stepping stones.

The sky is the limit

Indoor/outdoor carpet. Put in a 2" layer of sand before putting it down.

There are some great artificial turfs that work well with dogs, some of my neighbors have gone to it. One of the easiest things to use is quarter minus rock that is packed down. It is easy to walk in and the urine drains right through.

Vinca periwinkle is a good ground cover. It has tiny purple blooms and spreads like crazy. It doesn't get very tall. Make sure you get the ground cover and not the vinca flower. Other than that, have you considered some type of rubber mulch. You could just spray it off once in a while.

Gravel. Bricks are porous and will absorb the urine. You need something that you can wash off.

Home Depot, Walmart and Lowes sell it. It is a little pricey, but you never have to replace it. You can also buy rubber (recycled tires) pavers and put those down. Not sure if your fur babies would go on them, but you never know. Good luck to you.

I have found almost new artificial turf on craigslist. And quarter minus when people over purchase it.

Good luck, once you decide there are often affordable options.

we always put down saw dust an a few wood chips sourced from the lumber yard. ask about shoveling up your own ....it may be in a shed

my sister in law used hay she would cover their area heavily with it then when time for new she would rake and shovel it into a leaf garbage bags then put out for garbagethen refresh with new hay hope this helps

Rubber mulch, rocks, pebbles, etc get too hot in summer and may burn the paws of your fur babies. Unfortunately, you removed the best thing for the dogs. If you insist on being "grass free" mulch, wood chips and straw would suffice and it can be easily shoveled out when a dog has a "Doo" You must be careful of mice and other small rodents who also like to burrow in the wood chips and mulch. And don't forget to spray for fleas. in the end, you can always re-seed it with grass if need be.

Any kind of pebbles or concrete would work well. Don't use sand at all. Sand will soak up urine and you will not tolerate the stink. I also would not use carpet for the same reason.