How to Repair Lawn Burn

Often homeowners are baffled why they can’t get rid of patchy light brown spots on their lawn. After trying to fix the problem with various fertilizers or lawn insecticides, they finally realize it’s due to dog urine. Because dog urine has a high concentration of nitrogen, it burns grass just as if dumping liquid fertilizer on a lawn. Some fertilizer helps grass, however too much of it results in nitrogen burn. Although lawn burn is a common problem, there are several ways to rectify the problem.

Dogs and Lawns More Susceptible to Lawn Burn

Female dogs – Because female dogs eliminate their entire bladder in one area rather than lifting their legs as males do, they cause more lawn burn.

Large dogs – Larger dogs produce more urine, so this increases the nitrogen quantity in one location.

Younger, active dogs – The younger and more active a dog, the more their diets contain high protein, which produces a urine causing lawn burn.

Stressed lawns – Lawns struggling with drought conditions or diseases, as well as newly sodded or seeded lawns are more likely to have lawn burn.

Identifying Lawn Burn

Make sure it’s really lawn burn before correcting the problem as there are other lawn diseases resembling it. Ask yourself three questions.

Where does your dog urinate? Check the spots are where your dog urinates. Most dogs have a particular area for their bathroom.

Does the grass come up? – Next, check to see if the brown-spotted grass is attached firmly by pulling on it. If a glob of grass is pulled up, chances are you could have a grub problem and not one due to dog urination.

Is it really your dog or the neighbor’s? Finally, ensure it’s your dog that causing the problem and not your neighbor’s. This is especially important if you don’t have a fence-in yard.

Solutions for Lawn Burn

Check dog food – Ensure your dog is fed with high quality dog food not exceeding the requirement for protein. This assures of less nitrogen in the urine. Dog supplements neutralize and bind nitrogen in a dog’s urine.

Apply lawn products – Lawn products such as Dogonit Lawn Treatment are also made to bind and neutralize dog urine.

Give your dog more water – The more water your dog drinks, the more the urine is diluted.

Don’t over or under-fertilize lawn – By making sure your lawn isn’t over or under-fertilized, you reduce the stress on it. Also, water your lawn more.

Use urine-resistant grasses – If you decide to replant your yard, choose grasses such as fescues and ryegrasses which are more resistant to urine. On the other hand, Bermuda and Kentucky bluegrass are more sensitive.

Retrain your dog – Finally, you can always retrain your dog. Section off a corner area in your backyard where there isn’t grass. Even if you have a fenced-in yard, take your dog to the same place every time you want him to relieve himself. When he performs, lavish him with praise and a treat, saying, ‚”Good job! You went potty in the tree line!” After awhile, he’ll be more prone to go to the same spot on his own.

Most of all be patient with your dog. Remember that it took time to teach him to use the bathroom outdoors when he was a puppy. He probably won’t run to his new ‚”toilet” overnight. What’s more, if he senses this is a good thing to start doing, he’ll want to please you and will learn quicker than if you’re uptight and berate him when he doesn’t perform correctly.