Landscape help due to dogs and all this rain

[Brak]

I have two high energy dogs that have destroyed my side yards with running up and down the fence. My issue is that I have the low areas between my house and neighbor's house so all excess water runs into my yard and down to the street.

Never had an issue until this year with all this rain. The sod has turned to mush and my side yards no longer drain...lots of puddles of standing water. I have to repair a 3' wide by 60' long area on both sides.

Anyone already addressed this in their yard?

Note: I have quotes around $1500 to do the following:

Remove remaining sod along fence line. Add sand to re-level the for proper drainage, add commercial weedblock, add 3-4 inches of 1.5" gravel as walkways. Not the prettiest but will allow the dogs to run and keep the drainage intact......

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[musicman]

I have two high energy dogs that have destroyed my side yards with running up and down the fence. My issue is that I have the low areas between my house and neighbor's house so all excess water runs into my yard and down to the street.

Never had an issue until this year with all this rain. The sod has turned to mush and my side yards no longer drain...lots of puddles of standing water. I have to repair a 3' wide by 60' long area on both sides.

Anyone already addressed this in their yard?

Note: I have quotes around $1500 to do the following:

Remove remaining sod along fence line. Add sand to re-level the for proper drainage, add commercial weedblock, add 3-4 inches of 1.5" gravel as walkways. Not the prettiest but will allow the dogs to run and keep the drainage intact......

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

when you say re-level for proper drainage....where will the water be routed? only reason i'm asking is that i would think some drains of some sort would be needed.

just make sure and stress that the water should be going away from the house.

[jm1fd]

Yeah...I was thinking a drain or drains as well. If you don't do drains sounds like you can't do a whole lot other than to pitch it into a V and then pitch it all towards the street.

Another option might be some heartier groundcover....monkey grass might be able to tolerate the dogs....not sure....I do know it is difficult to kill.

[Brak]

Well, here is how we fixed the yards......see attached pics

Edited September 26, 2007 by Brak

[musicman]

so did they end up putting a french drain under the rock?

[heightsfan]

Good Afternoon,

Is there a pet friendly method or product that I can use to deter my dog from pooping

on my rock garden in my back yard ? I would prefer he go on the grass or dirt .

Thank You

[editor]

Good Afternoon,

Is there a pet friendly method or product that I can use to deter my dog from pooping

on my rock garden in my back yard ? I would prefer he go on the grass or dirt .

Thank You

Fill the rock garden with fire ants?

[TJones]

Good Afternoon,

Is there a pet friendly method or product that I can use to deter my dog from pooping

on my rock garden in my back yard ? I would prefer he go on the grass or dirt .

Thank You

You may want to try a product called Bitter Apple, it is mainly for keeping dogs from chewing, but the dog can smell it and makes them shy away from certain spots, works in the house also. A downside is that you would probably have to reapply after a good rain, but after a time, the dog will avoid the area, possibly altogether.

Here's a link:

http://www.leerburg.com/774.htm

Edited August 18, 2007 by TJones

[RedScare]

Actually, all you have to do is train the dog to go where you want it to. Of course, this requires accompanying your pooch outside for several trips, and encouraging him to go in the grass, praising him when he does. If you are asking how to get the dog to do so without taking the time to train him, I am not aware of any.

On a side note, I find it strange that your dog LIKES to go in the gravel. Usually, they prefer the lawn.

Edited August 18, 2007 by RedScare

[TJones]

Actually, all you have to do is train the dog to go where you want it to. Of course, this requires accompanying your pooch outside for several trips, and encouraging him to go in the grass, praising him when he does. If you are asking how to get the dog to do so without taking the time to train him, I am not aware of any.

On a side not, I find it strange that your dog LIKES to go in the gravel. Usually, they prefer the lawn.

The dog probably likes the sound of the water hitting the rocks, reminds him of the rain possibly ? Are they flat rocks ?

[RedScare]

The dog probably likes the sound of the water hitting the rocks, reminds him of the rain possibly ? Are they flat rocks ?

Good point. I like that sound too.