help our yard is a mess!?

Question

We have two large dogs and they are ruining the backyard. We need help because they are tearing up the grass and leaving it bare. Is there anyone with any tips for maintaining a yard w/animals. We rent our house so we are trying to keep it as tidy as possible.

Answer 1

How much can you change your back yard? You could install a sand pit for digging, and put gravel on the major "dog paths" but the landlord might want you to replant the whole thing when you leave.

Also, make sure the dogs are getting plenty of exercise outside the yard -- walks day and night, and long romps on the weekends.

If all these things are impossible, then start saving money each month to make up for the deposit you are going to lose (or to pay for putting sod on the lawn).

Good luck! The dogs are worth the trouble.

Answer 2

I have one large dog and she doesn't tear up the yard. She does have her "paths", but they are not dirt, just trampled grass. My tip for maintenance would be to pick up poop every day and if the dogs are digging give them something else to do. Maybe they need a walk or a toy or someone to throw the toy with them.

Answer 3

As long as you have critters in the yard they will keep the yard bare. They need plenty of room to roam, or they will make paths everywhere, get some astro turf.

Answer 4

Maybe section off an area for just the dogs, put up another fence, or you could install a buried fence & put shock collars on them. Put straw down where they run.