I last posted about this in November 2004...we've now covered the quagmire with gravel, and we're very pleased with that. However, we've just started wondering again whether decking would be the solution to disguising our ugly concrete patio....the dogs never wee on that anyway, they use the gravel- which is so much easier to clean up. :-) :-) But the lounge patio doors will open out onto the decking, so they will have to walk on it and will probably lie on it. Would they think of it as indoors or outdoors, if you see what I mean? Any comments welcome, we probably have some new people with experience of all these surfaces who've joined us in the last 6 months.

Have you looked in Argos, they've got already made decking surfaces starting from £300 and they are abosulotely lovely, i'm getting one myself, i can't see it being a problem for use if your dogs pee on the gravel.  Decking is a must it will make your back garden look lovely.  Put some solar lights either side of your gravel.

Warm regards Susan

We have just had ours done and the girls love to go and lie down on it and also like to poo on it ! :D

It is good though and very easy to clean off with a hose and disinfectant :)

Lucy
xx

I have decking going out from my french doors, the best thing i have ever put down. really easy to sweep and clean. dont forget to seal it with a good decking seal, so that the rain doesnt rot the wood. We bought ours from a builders merchant and was a lot cheaper that way. you can do what ever shape is needed that way. dont forget the frame work under neath too.
My dog loves it:)
Jane

just a note of warning....check the quality before you buy as some deck surfaces get awfully slippy when wet or worse when we have frosts.... neighbours have got decking and i nearly came a cropper the other month when it had been raining....

Lucy it warms up and I think the dogs love it.

I have decking in my two dog runs to keep them up off the ground and keep the feet clean ( white dogs it is hard) :-D     I have it fitted in smaller sections so I pick poop up everyday and lift the decking once a week and power wash it. I have to say they are not in the runs too much so they love getting in them to run around.  Mines is covered so doesn't get wet so not noticed it being slippy.