Can anyone tell me how to stop my dogs killing the lawn were they wee, I have been told it is the ammonia in the wee

I'm thinking there is some kind of tablet you can feed the dog to stop their wee killing the grass? Not 100% sure on this.

But in the meantime, nothing beats a bucket of water on the spot just after the dog has had a wee.... ON THE GRASS NOT THE DOG *giggle*

Yes it very probably is the chemicals in the wee (one of which is similar in structure to ammonia, which is why those disinfectants which turn white in water aren't a good idea to clean up with, because they contain other similar chemicals, which the dogs thing is another dog marking and this needs to be marked again)

The best advice is the bucket of water, this dilutes the urine so it doesn't damage the grass.  If you have acid soil, you probably won't find it's so much of a problem, as the naturally acid soils neutralises the alkali in the urine.

Personally I don't think it's healthy to mess up the dogs natural system with internal chemicals to alter the balance of the urine.

>>If you have acid soil, you probably won't find it's so much of a problem, as the naturally acid soils neutralises the alkali in the urine.

Ah! that would explain why i have never had a problem with brown patches on my lawn, even when i had 2 (previous) dogs peeing everywhere.
Thanks digger... ive often wondered why, now i know :-)

Aha. that might explain why a customer has a terrible lawn. But they say the dog never used to mark the lawn. They swore by giving their dog tea. but by the sounds of it they came from an acid area. We are ver alcaline around here.
Never thought of it like that.
Thanks digger :)
Lea:)

You might want to take a urine sample to the VETs too, if you notice the grass burning after just ONE wee in one spot.  That might indicate the dog's urine is too alkaline and is burning her (usually a her, spayed females are susceptible and certain breeds, like spaniels) as well and she will be in some discomfort.  Our springer was on a medication called Stilbestrol (sp?) for this.

Someone I know used to give their dog a tablespoon of tomato sauce once a day and swears it stopped the marks!  Don't know if tom sauce is good for your dog though or if it works!!

My mum swears that although the grass looks like its dead at first, when it grows back its much greener than before!  She always encourages Ella to wee where the lawn needs a bit of a lift.  She is a bit bonkers though :)

Your mum's right - the grass does grow back greener than before! :)

Yes your correct, They grow lovely and tufty where Bitches have weed!!!! just wish dogs would wee on the lawn evenly instead of all in one place that way I wouldnt have to feed it!!!!!!! i think(someone might put me right on this) its the nitrogen in the urine that does it?????
Lea :)

We gave up and patioed (sp) and gravelled the whole garden :)

Much easier to keep clean and looks good now matter how many wees or poos the girls do :D

Lucy
xx