I need a good solution for a dirt track my dogs have made in the back yard.?

Question

My labs have carved a "race" track around my small backyard and whenever it rains, this dirt turns to mud and they are always muddy, then track it in the house. I cannot get grass to grow there. Does anyone have a good idea of something to put down over it (somekind of bark / mulch) to keep the mud away? Thanks in advance to your suggestion.

Answer 1

There is a type of grass, I think it is called zosia (not sure of the spelling) that is very hearty and will supposedly even stay green all year long. The add says it is as thick as carpet and very durable. Look in a plant or flower magazine. Or ask a florist.

Answer 2

My Dobermans have done the same thing & have ended up costing us a lot of $$$. After they tore up the grass we bought sod (hundreds of $$$), then that was torn up. Next it was a yard full of sand that did go well with the pool, but over time it was gone. Where? Beyond me. Then we did the mulch, eventually that all decentegraded. So believe it or not there is indoor / outdoor carpet in the yard. What I don't do & go through for my babies. I can't tell you how many mops I went through either. The carpet did solve the dirt problem. One day when I don't have as many dogs as I do now I'll have a landscaper come in & get me a normal grass yard back. LOL

Answer 3

You have got the idea that might work the best in your posting. A special grass might not be the soft grass that is peculiar to the north, and it might not be hearty to the cold weather---if this is where you are from. Stone will effectively be expensive and will potentially detract the dogs from walking on it...making them walk on another part of the lawn. Using the bark mulch is soft, and MIGHT keep the mud at bay. You may find yourself replenishing the bark mulch each year. You may want to place rounded wooden slats on the sides of the path...to keep the path in check. People imbed them. Good luck!

Answer 4

Crushed Granite
You can buy this in bulk from most Topsoil and or Landscape Rock suppliers. Also you can get it in plasic bags from the big box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe's. This stuff is great for walkways and for a base for laying down pavers. It does not turn in to mud when it gets wet if you lay it down around 1 to 2 inches thick, it just packs down all the better when its wet. It is not very nice to bare feet however.

Answer 5

Cedar mulch works great. You can also use pea gravel or crushed stone if you want to put more $$$ into it.

Answer 6

Rocks may make your dogs feet splay. I would go with granite or the fake grass. Mmm

Answer 7

I would use some gravel that is small so it will not hurt there feet or artificial grass that will perveant the mudd.

Answer 8

I guess you don't want to pave it with tiles or brick?

I have seen people with this sort of problem use gravel. Be sure to pick a gravel size that is different from their poop size, or it will act as camouflage!

Answer 9

try mulch.