Help! Advice on replacing lawn ruined with dog urine

[Patsy]

Much as I love my two terrier bitches they've virtually ruined the lawn by p**ing on it.
Any ideas for a surface that would allow them somewhere to use but could be cleaned easily. I was contemplating gravel but suggestions would be very much appreciated. It's only a small garden but my OH does like a bit of lawn, so would have to keep a small section for him,(to mow, nothing else!)

[Kristen]

If you can chuck a bucket of water on the lawn after thy pee that will cure the problem ... alternative is to train them to use a specific location. They may, or may not, like going on gravel? Mine use the gravel when it is wet, but otherwise head for an area of longer grass that is reserved for them.

[Gema13]

Female dog urine does not cause damage to grass. They miss the chemical that cause the damage that male dogs do. So what does the grass look like? You can train a dog very easily to urinate in one place in the garden. I'd also say that some dogs will only go on one type of surface so changing the grass may cause issues for the dogs.

[alldigging]

Don't repair the lawn whilst you have your pets still.
Astroturf it.

[Scarlet]

Female dog urine does not cause damage to grass. They miss the chemical that cause the damage that male dogs do.

I don't think that's true. Both male and female urine will cause damage but females will cause most damage as they squat and empty fully in one spot whereas males will mark their territory and wee in small burst.
Diluting it with water as Kristen has already advised is probably the way to go. Keep a hose out and water it. Feed the lawn well in the Spring and try to water the lawn in dry periods as stressed lawns will suffer more.

[veggiechicken]

I have 2 she-dogs but I've not noticed any yellowing - perhaps because they have lots of space to go so spread it about a bit (or my lawn is such a mess it makes no difference).
Personally, I wouldn't use gravel as clearing poo off gravel is not easy. It sticks too easily and with each dollop you remove some of the gravel! That's my experience with stone chippings anyway

[Scarlet]

I think stone chippings smell too and when you start washing it, bleach etc it all gets worse.
VC my mum had a little front lawn and two springer spaniels, both girls...and had the same grass problem. She has a small terrier now but no lawn problems. It may be what they eat? Whether they drink a lot etc.

[Gema13]

I don't think that's true. Both male and female urine will cause damage but females will cause most damage as they squat and empty fully in one spot whereas males will mark their territory and wee in small burst.
Diluting it with water as Kristen has already advised is probably the way to go. Keep a hose out and water it. Feed the lawn well in the Spring and try to water the lawn in dry periods as stressed lawns will suffer more.

I can guarantee you it's male urine. Male dogs produce a hormone used to attract female dogs or warn other dogs of his presence. Females do not need to produce this hormone, therefore do not have it. The hormone is directly linked to burning the grass leaving Brown dead patches. If the grass is suffering under female urine then I'd say the grass or soil is having issue not directly related to the urine. You can have female dogs and perfect grass, I do. I don't want to blow my own trumpet but I know this as I'm pretty much up on all information to do with dogs I have qualifications coming out of my ears and I'm a qualified vet nurse. It's not the urine...

[Patsy]

Thanks for all suggestions, much appreciated. Had loads of dogs through the years, mostly Norwich Terriers as now and found it a problem every time. Usually had a male & female at the same time though which dilutes it (Ha Ha) somewhat as the males tend to kill off plants cocking their legs instead.
I think the smallness of the garden is the trouble and their dislike of travelling up a cold wet lawn in the dark. One will do it quite happily on the backdoor step or the concrete patio section rather than go any further. I know I should go and water it after they've peed but I'm not too found of going out on a dark wet night either! I might try a bit of Astroturf though or bite the bullet and go with them to make sure they use a different bit. Thanks anyway.

[Kristen]

I can guarantee you it's male urine.

I have two bitches, only. Garden is netted, not possible for any male dogs to visit. My two leave yellow patches on the lawn where they pee ...

[Kristen]

You can train a dog very easily to urinate in one place in the garden.

I think that "easily" is a relative term in this context. Needs time, to be around, and probably some skill / experience for training of a dog to do any task to be termed "easy". The things that my dogs will reliably do has taken me a great deal of time to achieve, mostly because other parts of my lifestyle mean that I cannot dedicate the time to it, regularly enough, to enforce the lesson.

[Gema13]

Yellow patches would be a different problem, maybe nitrogen ? And sorry if I offended when I said training was easy. Yes it's hard work and patience but also enjoyable and rewarding. The only time Ive come across female dog urine was a nitrogen problem and illness in the dog.

[Patsy]

Thanks for backing me up Kristen about the dog pee.
Had about 12 dogs over the years. all of which lived to 15,16 and 17 years, so can't have been much physically wrong with them or their urine!

[bussinspain]

Many years ago we had a GSD bitch - no problem with our small back lawn with her, although we did put water on her "wet patches" just in case. She was walked twice per day anyway so she did most of her peeing out on the walks.