Asked on Jun 08, 2015
Doggie yard digger issues
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What can I do to my yard where my dog plays and digs all the grass? I've thought about putting decorative pavers in but he might dig them up too. He ruins the grass by playing with his ball back and forth between his legs, not digging actual holes. HELP with ideas please!
End of driveway to the shed at back of house. Long thin side yard.
9 answers
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What size is your dog? - how much space does he actually have to run around in - is he an inside dog - is this where he also uses area for 'personal doggie business' - cheers, Rose
Rose Chapman
on Jun 08, 2015
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Take him to a dog park to play BIG time with his ball, depending on his age of course. Walk him every day and then do a smaller play area for him. If you are using his playing with a ball as a reason not to walk him every day then you need to change your routine to fit his exercise requirements and then you can have a yard without damage.
Diana Robertson
on Jun 09, 2015
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Try getting a small hard plastic baby pool. We are in the south Florida and were taught that dogs dig to get cool in the summer heat. Good luck.
Repurpose Diva
on Jun 09, 2015
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If this is the only place for your dog to play at home, then surrender this space for him. Dogs will be dogs outside digging and playing, and he needs the stimulation and enrichment for his own health benefit. Mulch the area with a pet friendly mulch to make the area look better and add pots of plants along the area, grouping to add landscape plants and flowers up and out of his way and gives you something to enjoy while outside.
Judith Miller
on Jun 09, 2015
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I have an Italian prune tree that dogs seem to really enjoy playing under. My German Shepherd and my daughter's yellow Lab seem to think that's the best place to wrestle when daughter visits. My son and grandson each have a Dachshund, and they love to dig in this area. My granddaughters each have a chihuahua and they love to lay in the holes the Dachshunds have dug further preventing grass from filling in that area. Grass is impossible to grow with all that doggy activity. I seed there frequently, with handfuls of seed tossed around the area and keep it watered. Some of the seed does take hold, so over the summer I usually get most of it back to grass...but by Spring it's just dirt. I have finally just come to accept that the dogs have chosen THIS area as theirs and don't mess up the rest of the yard. That's my suggestion!
OhSally
on Jun 11, 2015
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You just can't have dogs and nice grass in the same yard unless you divide the yard into a doggy yard and a people yard with a fence. Give him a long run from front to back so he can play with his ball. Use the other side for family activities which he can be invited to if he doesn't bring his ball.
Lindcurt
on Jun 12, 2015
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WHy don't you buy a pet safe dog cage and put him in there for a few hours each day. Pet safe is the brand you look up on the net to see them. I think its an aus company but have a look at them and maybe get an idea
Chez Cook
on Jun 14, 2015
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I have 2 dogs and 3 cats that go in and out. Over the years I have had to change my attitude and thinking when it comes to gardening. I see an opportunity in this picture to make a play are for you dog. You could make it a mulched area so the dog can play or look into gravel dust or even gravel to make a wide path all the way back to the shed. Line the dirt area first with some sort of edging to hold in you materials or if you can find a free source for Liriope (monkey grass) -because liriope works great holding mulch in plus it is green and dog indestructible. Unless you can keep the dog off the area for about 3 months, sod is a great option. My dogs dig for critters and chase squirrels so a perfect lawn in the back yard is not going to happen. your dog needs a play space and since he has made claim to this, I would not worry about putting too much fuss. good luck
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Jun 14, 2015
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if he's anything like our 2 Boxers, you are fighting a loosing battle! But, it isn't all bad. He needs a good sized play area for exercise. Set aside the area he favours as his. If you want to reduce the dirt & mud being tracked back into the house, put down a thick layer of mulch; preferably, bordered so that it stays in his area & not all over your lawn. Landscape outside his area. That way you can enjoy his antics while he plays and you each have an area to call your own. Remember, dogs are great snugglers; plants, not so much. Good luck.
Nancy De Blauw
on Jun 15, 2015
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