UNSIGHTLY brown patches of grass can often be the bane of any house-proud dog owner’s life.
Our four-legged friends can often wreak havoc on lawns, turning bright and vibrant greenery into a scorched mess.
But according to one grass expert, it doesn’t have to be this way.
There’s actions you can take to stop your pooch from destroying your precious lawn – you just may need to follow them around the garden every time they pee.
Chris McIlroy at The Grass People said: “We all love dogs but it’s often a battle to try and prevent them from really harming garden grass.
“The biggest problem is usually dog urine which is very high in nitrogen.
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“In female dogs in particular this is more concentrated in one spot.
“Interestingly, nitrogen is usually good for lawns and is often found in fertilisers, which is why you might find your grass gets suspiciously green in patches when your dog has been to the toilet.
“But it needs to be diluted with water – and quickly – to stop it from burning and scorching.”
Chris advised dog owners to follow their dog around the garden when they go for a wee and immediately pour water over the offending area.
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“If it’s left without being watered and your dog pees on the area again, the additional urine will kill it completely,” he explained.
Water will dilute the urine and wash away harmful nitrogen and salts from the grass.
Chris further recommended training your pooch to go to the toilet in a designated area where there’s gravel or paving.
“It’s often easier said than done though, as we all know dogs can be pretty fussy about where they do their business,” he said.
And while no grass seed will protect from the damage inflicted by dog urine, something that’s strong and durable will help your grass to recover quickly.
Chris said: “Pick a grass seed that will be strong, durable and quick to establish, for example something with perennial ryegrass and fescues.
“Sowing or over-seeding a hard-wearing mix will mean the lawn tolerates wear and tear and recovers faster when damaged.
“It’s also a good idea to raise your lawn mower mowing height so that you do not cut your lawn as short, meaning the grass will be less sensitive.”
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