Pee stains in grass

Raleysdad · 07-31-2008, 02:15 PM

so let me start by saying I am new here.
I searched the forum a bit, but did not find the answer I am looking for.
I have two lab mixes, one male, one female. I am pretty certain the stains are coming from my female. We have two sections of the yard. one for people, and one for the dogs. We trained the dogs initially to potty in their area only. we did this for a few weeks, walking them out there, then treating them. once they knew they were getting treats over there, the pottying pretty much stopped. Now it is impossible to get them to potty in that spot.
It seems they are now using the people area of the grass, because it is getting destroyed by pee stains! the dogs have full run of the yard during the day. I would prefer not to lock them in the doggie area, but that is an option.
I do not have the ability to follow them around, and dilute. I would prefer not to use those products that could eliminiate the acids, and re-training is now a time issue.
I have heard about tomato juice working, and even cooked rice? am I crazy to even be thinking about these things?
sorry for the long, long first post. I would appreciate any and all advice, that does not state anything about diluting or training. I know those options.

thanks!

RaleysDad

TooneyDogs · 07-31-2008, 02:50 PM

The easiest and safest fix is a garden hose. It's also a great excuse to install that watering system that you've always wanted!

Raleysdad · 07-31-2008, 02:59 PM

I already have a sprinkler system installed. Being in Cali, we are trying to conserve water, so I only run it three to four times per week, and in the early am. I can't run it in the mid morning or afternoon, because my mom in law could be outside with my daughter. I am not going to even try to train her to operate the sprinklers. would be easier and less time consuming to re-train the dogs. haha.
keep the advice coming. even if I can't use it, someone else might be able to. I know I am not the only one dealing with this issue.

amp9364 · 07-31-2008, 03:17 PM

No you are not the only one, my yard looks terrible! We tried spraying everytime he peed for a while but it didn't seem to help. I don't know what to do either!

Don152 · 07-31-2008, 08:34 PM

I think putting some ground limestone on the spot and watering it in shortly after the pee will help.. but I have not been good about trying it because if I leave the bag of lime bag out my dog will eat it! First and only time she did that I spent hours on the phone with vets and on the Internet trying to figure out how bad it was... plus its just a pain to keep it locked up and spread it every time she goes.

TooneyDogs · 07-31-2008, 10:31 PM

If the urine volume is 3 cups of urine, you will need 9 cups of water to dilute the acid. Lime, tomato juice and 'urine resistant grasses' have not proven effective. Female urine is more acidic and usually causes the greater damage.
Urine acts as a fertilizer and will increase grass growth but, that's also why you see the fertilizer/urine burn.
Urine needs to be diluted within 8 hours so you're in a pretty tough spot. The only option might be confinement to one area.

Dutch5352 · 08-01-2008, 12:03 AM

I don't know how many of you will agree with this or what, but I found a product in the Drs Foster & Smith catalog. You can buy it in pill form or snack. I bought one of each. It's called Lawn Guard. I have two females and a male. The pills didn't work, but the snack I could put in their food in the morning. I didn't know if it would really work, if it was going to be a waste of money, but surprisingly enough, it has worked. It "neutralizes waste, protects against lawn burn, contains prebiotics, yucca schidegera and biotin." I've looked at the ingredients and they all appear very safe. the first ingredient is Brewer's Yeast. So, long story short, it has worked, we have no yellow spots in our yard. Surprisingly there is also this post that you put into the ground in the catalog which is supposed to have a scent to it that draws the dogs there and it also has worked, especially for the male dog.

Lonewolfblue · 08-01-2008, 01:03 AM

My suggestion is to have a large bucket of water on hand, and when you take the dog to go pee, then grab the bucket afterwards and pour it on that area. Then refill the bucket for the next time. I was thinking of maybe a 5G bucket.

Criosphynx · 08-01-2008, 01:08 AM

Iam in cali too, i know what you mean about the water...

What kind of grass do you have? Our yard was a mix of actual grass and St.Augustine, which is really a weed.

All the grass got urine burn and died (four dogs worth of pee) the St. Augustine is fine and bright green!! Other than that, yup what the other said, dilute dilute.

Maybe it does burn, but since its a spreading groundcover, instead of growing just up like grass, it rebounds easy?

RonE · 08-01-2008, 05:43 AM

I resigned myself, many years ago, to deciding between a good-looking lawn and dogs.

I have two large females who love to run. I put up signs, "Replace your divots" but to no avail. I refuse to use chemical weedkillers. The entire lawn is either torn up from running or digging, killed by massive quantities of acidic urine or choked with weeds.

My wife would be quick to point out that the front lawn, where the dogs don't go, looks pretty much the same.

Raleysdad · 08-01-2008, 11:34 AM

thanks for more tips guys. like I said before, I am not around during the day, so diluting is not an option at this time. I tried keeping them locked up yesterday in their area, but they ended up digging and tearing up some of the area. Could have been a little long for them. my bad.
I have tried the lawn guard, and the "potty posts", but neither worked.

I currently have Medallion Plus grass, but have looked into St Augustine. I was not all the impressed with how St Augustine looked, and if I am remembering it correctly, I did not like the feel of it. although at this point, it feels better than dead grass.

I am going to keep working with them for now, and will let you guys know if the tomato juice thing works.

we spent a crap load of money re-doing our backyard earlier this year, mainly so we could have a place to hang out, and watch our young daughter play. I hate to see it going to crap because we can't train our dogs efficiently enough.
why are dogs harder than kids???

MyCharlie · 08-01-2008, 04:44 PM

I read something really recently, although now it totally slips my mind if it was on here or in a magazine. But it said that the reason the grass burns is actually the nitrogen in the urine, not acid. (not that that helps you any)

What about trying to get them to drink more so the urine itself is more diluted? I know that's sorta impossible since you're not home during the day, but it's the only other thing I can think of.

K8IE · 08-01-2008, 04:56 PM

I have read that adding about a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to your dog's drinking water is a fix. Of course i have not tried it myself, but you might look more into it. I would want to go a more natural route like ACV than the pills or other things that will alter the body chemistry too much. Good luck!