MY DOGGIE IS KILLING MY LAWN! HELP!

I have a great dog. He was only supposed to be a medium sized dog. He turned out to be a big dog. He is killing my grass in record time, and really getting my condo association upset. My parents down in Georgia, claim that Bermuda grass will not yellow from dog urine. Please tell me, in Michigan.. what can I do? I am pretty desperate, and I love my dog. I already take him on lots of walks, but once is a death sentence for a good one foot square of grass.....
Lori
gossamer1@bigfoot.com

Lori:

I can't remember the mineral, but some ordinary garden mineral used to fertilize plants will reverse the yellowing (burning) of your lawn. Your dog's urine contains ammonia, and I wish I could remember which mineral neutralizes it, but there is one out there that really works. I think it's lime, but I am not sure. (It's something like lime or phosphorus or something like that.)

Anyway, when you sprinkle it over where your dog urinates, it neutralizes the urine and the lawn will grow back. You should spread it throughout the area your dog uses to prevent any further burning. You will have to check at your local nursery... I am sure they will know. Sorry I couldn't remember, and if anyone else knows, maybe they will post. If you find out, come back and let me know.

Good luck to you! - Jay

I recently saw on T.V. that if you feed your dog two tablespoons (maybe a little more in case of a large do) of tomato juice every day that he will no longer leave brown spots on your lawn.

Lori, I have the same problem with my lawn and my female dog. I have heard that a low sodium diet will help. I found a low sodium dry dog food at Petsmart and I believe it has helped a little but we live in an area with high sodium content in both the water and the soil so it may help you more than me. I can't wait to try the tomato juice. I'm going to ask my Vet if he knows the about the mineral Jay was speaking of, they must get quite a few questions concerning this problem.

There is a product, whose name I don't remember, sold at pet stores that can be sprayed on the spot to neutralize it. Must be used within a few minutes, so I guess you carry it in one hand, the scooper in another and the spray in... No that wouldn't work - how about a pocket. My 2 bichons are 15 and 22 lbs - too small to cause more than a silver dollar size spot.
By the way a bucket of water poured over quickly would also dilute and wash it off the grass. Urine is a fertilizer, if diluted. And an acid.
David

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/turf/dog_lawn_problems.html
This site may help you with your problem. Good Luck!

In a quart container add 1 heaping table spoon of lime. Shake well and use all after dog does business. Please consider that since dogs will continue the natural process to sacrifice a portion of yard for dog waste, using lime to help keep odor and pests down. Placing sand with the desired area helps for quick surface drainage and easy removal when replaced after long use, like 6mo. or year depending on dog size.

I'm having the same problem. But I do know that feeding your dog won't change much. The kidney's function is to reduce acid content and get rid of the waste in the body - so urine will always be acidic. Lime and specialized fertilizer's are, from what I understand, the only way to help your grass. Always check with your vet before feeding specialized food or home remedies like tomato juice. Certain things might sound good to us, but can be toxic or damaging to a pet's system (it is very different from ours!).

Lori: I too, have had problems with my dogs browning out the grass. But, I found Dr. Jerry Baker who uses all natural remedies. Try his methods and they really do work. Try: 1 can any cheap beer, 1 cup ammonia, 1 can regular soda,(I use the cheapest cola). Pour this in a container and mix with 3 or 4 cups water. Pour this mixture or get a spray bottle to carry along with you on your walks, and apply to the spots. It cured mine! I also fertilize with his remedy of epsom salts and slow growth fertilizer. Jerrybaker.com. has wonderful and natural remedies for everything that won't hurt the animals!
Good Luck

I am familiar with that prob too! I do know that there are natural remedies that you can give your pooch that reduces the acid contained in urine. I know I'd sure check with the vet first on that one.

There were some good answers above - I know you will find the right solution soon!
Good luck,
Randy