How to Fix Dog Spots in Lawn
You may have noticed that most lawns in your neighborhood are free of dog spots. This is because many people with pets take care to give them plenty of space for exercise, so the dogs stay away from the yard.
If you have a prominent spot, consider reading this blog post on how to fix dog spots in lawns.
But if you’ve got a pet who won’t leave your lawn alone, it can be unsightly and turn off prospective buyers when they come over to view your property.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to clean up these spots without spending too much time or money on them. There’s always the tried and true baking soda method, which attracts the acid in urine to neutralize it.
Five Reasons Why Dog Spots happen:
1. The dog is a restless sleeper and urinates in the same place repeatedly.
2. The owner fails to train their dog to use a designated area for toileting, or it becomes impossible during certain times of the day.
3. A male dog marks his territory by urinating excessively around the house’s perimeter, yard, etc.
4. In colder months, the dog won’t go outside as often to use the bathroom, and if it is too cold he will urinate in a warm location.
5. The dog’s waste isn’t picked up immediately after going to the bathroom, which causes a strong odor that encourages other dogs to relieve themselves there as well.
10 Ways on How to Fix Dog Spots in Lawn:
Dog spots on the lawn can be a turn-off to prospective buyers. However, there are some ways on how to fix dog spots in lawns without spending too much time or money on them. Here are ten ideas:
1) Use Baking Soda.
Baking soda is a natural cleaner that can remove the acid in dog urine. To use, sprinkle baking soda over the spot and let sit for at least ten minutes before rinsing with water to remove all remnants of the spot.
2) Use Lemon Juice or Vinegar.
If your urine smells bad or is too acidic, you can mix water, vinegar, dishwashing liquid, and lemon juice or citric acid to make it better. Just spray the mixture on the area and wait a couple of hours before rinsing it off.
3) Rent a Rototiller.
A rototiller is an effective way to break up any clumps of dirt in the spot so that new grass can grow. However, schedule this when you plan on reseeding or sodding over the area for best results.
4) Repaint The Spot.
If you have a large dog spot, consider repainting the area with outdoor latex paint to keep the color fresh and new-looking. Allow drying for 24 hours before walking on or allowing pets in the area to don’t track dirt across it.
5) Re-Sod the Entire Lawn.
If the dog spots are in an area that is not easily accessible (such as behind a fence), consider replacing the sod entirely to prevent future dog spots. Be aware that this method will require removing and disposing of soil and may be costly, depending on where you live and who you hire for the job.
6) Plant Grass From Seed.
If you have a smaller area to cover, consider planting grass from seed or sod cuttings. If using grass seeds, be sure that it is not too late in the season for them to take root and thrive. Otherwise, it may be better to use sod cuttings from another part of the lawn that is not too far away.
7) Use a Carpet Scrap.
If you have carpet scraps left over from a home improvement project, consider laying them over the area where dog spots are frequent to give pets something to pee on other than the grass. However, this may not always work and will only help if the spots are local to one area.
8) Use Dog Spot Eliminators.
There are many commercial products available to prevent dog spots in lawns, including enzyme-producing fertilizers, deodorizer acid, acidifiers that can be applied to the soil. Be sure to use these as directed for the best results.
9) Use Aromatic Mulch.
You can also try using aromatic mulches, such as cedar mulch to help control and prevent dog spots in lawns. Cedar is known to deter pets from urinating on the area it covers and will keep the spot smelling fresh.
10) Add Lime To The Soil.
Adding lime to the soil in dog spots is an effective way of neutralizing the acid left behind. Be aware, however, that this may attract dogs to urinate on that area while it is still fresh, and using other methods simultaneously will ensure the best results.
Tips to Prevent Dogs From Urinating on Your Lawn:
There are many ways to keep dogs from urinating on your lawn, but the best way is to ensure he stays away from your precious grass.
Keeping him inside when you are away is your best chance for this method to work. However, don’t fret if you don’t know how to fix dog spots on the lawn; there are many ways to fix it up.
1) Keep grass cut short:
Short grass makes it difficult for dogs to find the right spot and will discourage them from urinating in your lawn.
2) Rake urine spots:
After urinating, dogs will usually return to their favorite spot and scratch at the ground, spreading the urine into a larger area. If you have dog spots after raking or mowing your grass, consider buying a fertilizer formulated with enzymes to eliminate the odor.
3) Baking soda:
While baking soda is a great deodorizer and can be used in various ways, simply sprinkling it on the affected area will help dissolve any visible dog urine spots.
4) Vinegar:
Dilute with equal water and sprinkle or spray on the urine spots. You can also use apple cider vinegar if you have it on hand.
5) Enzymes:
Several enzyme-based products are designed to neutralize odors. Some may require being rinsed off afterward, so read the directions before using.
6) Take your dog to the bathroom:
Keeping your dog from urinating on your lawn is always the best way to keep it smelling fresh.
7) Keep grass healthy:
The best way to keep your dog from urinating on your lawn is to ensure it always looks beautiful and vibrant. By keeping your grass healthy, you can ensure that it will be hard for your dog to find a spot in the first place.
Why Should People Take Care of Their Dogs’ Bathroom Habits?
If you want your dog to be healthy and happy, the most important thing is to take care of his bathroom habits. Dogs are pack animals, so they feel less adaptive when they lack space for potty time.
Keeping the backyard clean makes it easier for Fido to go on command and allows him to be more confident about where he relieves himself. In other words, a well-kept backyard is a sign of a happy dog.
A messy backyard can not only cause your dog to feel insecure, but it’s also tough on the grass. The substances in urine rot the blades, and if left unattended for too long, spots will start appearing where the grass is dead or dying.
To prevent this, sprinkle some baking soda on the spots to neutralize the scent. If you can’t get to it immediately, dilute it with water.
How To Replace Dying Grass In Dog Spots?
One way to replace dying grass in dog spots is to use topsoil. Putting a weed mat down before applying the topsoil is a good idea. Topsoil will be an expensive option, but it will fix the issue and save you a lot of time. It’s a good idea to have someone help you with this task or rent a truck for this job alone.
A cheaper option would be potting soil, which is easier to transport and should cost less than topsoil. The critical thing about potting soil is that it needs more watering than topsoil because it will dry out faster. So if you don’t have the time to water it consistently, topsoil is likely a better option.
How To Fix Dog Spots With Fertilizers?
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to fix dog spots in your lawn, look into buying fertilizers that are made just for dogs. These fertilizers should be accessible on the stomachs of dogs and won’t harm them in any way.
To use the fertilizer, scatter it over the spots and water it thoroughly. This is the easiest and cheapest way to get rid of dog spots on your lawn. If you want to see more methods on how to fix dog spots in lawn then consider reading this full blog post.
Conclusion:
Dog spots are unsightly and can be a turn-off to prospective buyers. There’s always the tried and true baking soda method, which attracts the acid in urine to neutralize it. If you have a large spot, consider renting a rototiller to break up any clumps of dirt so that new grass can grow.
To prevent dogs from urinating on your lawn, make sure they have access to fresh water at all times or put down some rocks around their favorite peeing area as an alternative place for them to go potty instead.
We hope this blog post on how to fix dog spots in lawn has been helpful to give you some insights into what might work best for you!
