Member

Posts: 117
From:Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 01-28-2004 11:53 AM         

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Two months ago we brought Freckles home as a companion for Duke. Since then they have been slowly but progressively destroying the back yard, not from digging, but just playing and chasing each other. Both spend most of the time inside destroying the house but that's another story. You can check out this pair of "angels" on the Auspet Pet of the Year gallery page at: http://www.auspet.com/petoftheyear.html
Anyway, all grass is now gone and I have had to cover the decorative fountain and bird bath with chicken wire because one of their favorite games was splashing in the pool then rolling in the dust where the grass used to grow. All I need now is to add a few pigs to the "corral".
Does anyone else have this problem and if so, what have you done to stabilize your yard and eliminate the mud and/or dust.
Thanks for any recommendations.
Dukesdad

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Member

Posts: 944
From:Columbus, Tx ,USA
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 01-28-2004 12:24 PM         

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Oh yes....there is no grass atall where the kennels are...very unsightly.

The best thing I know to do is re sod and re seed...keep the "non grass" wattered as much as possible.

Also, try taking them out to other places instead of them being in thesame place all the time...parks, front yard, ect...

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Posts: 926
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 01-28-2004 01:57 PM         

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you might want to try planting a typeof grass they put on play yards that are heavy duty. Just with throwing the frisbee for Wylie she is wearing my grass in an area so I blockc it off to recover. Sounds like you may need to give them a lot more play time like at a dog park
Honeybear

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Member

Posts: 16
From:Washington
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 01-28-2004 02:27 PM         

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I have three danes and I penned of sections in my yard. I have a kennel run for potty that is small then I have a part of the yard for them to play not real big either but enough for them. My dogs are only outside maybe 2 hours a day. They are inside all the other time. Then again even my 4 month old pups lay around most of the time and are not high stung like most other dogs.

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Member

Posts: 51
From:Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2003

posted 02-02-2004 08:57 AM         

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Try planting ST.Augustine grass, it is a very tough grass. Also, use turf builder about once or twice a month, it keeps the grass thick and healthy.

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Member

Posts: 478
From:Dallas, Texas
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 02-02-2004 12:11 PM         

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Yes, Saint Augustine is VERY good! We have it, and not even my 8 month old (as of tommorow,Feb. 3!) brittany and his sister can destroy it!

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Member

Posts: 157
From:
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-03-2004 09:43 PM         

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HI!
I am a Master Gardener and get asked the same question all the time. My suggestions:
I have a six foot stockade fence area (not my entire yard) Just big enough so my dogs can run and get the proper exercise. But also small enough so I can still preserve the rest of my yard and have it looking nice. My dogs fenced in area is in my back yard. That way,I keep my sides and my front yard looking good. I have an above ground pool and this keeps them away from that area as well. Good luck!!!

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Member

Posts: 157
From:
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 02-04-2004 09:30 PM         

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Planting different types of grasses will depend on your zone! I can't plant some of the grasses mentioned due to my being in a zone 6. At any rate, grass will be useless if it us urinated on and pooped on daily! Combine that with running, playing etc. and what do you have? MUD!!
Some people place fine gravel over the dirt and that seems to help somewhat.
I still say designate an area in your yard that you can fence off and let the dogs have their fun!!!

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