Artificial grass with dog

[WorthyOtter]

Were in the process of laying artificial grass. Our dog destroyed the grass we had so we've resorted to this. We've removed all the grass, dug down 10cm, and laid the weed membrane stuff. We're seeing conflicting things online about the next steps. Can anyone who's laid grass with a dog let us know what you steps you took next? Thanks

Our neighbours have plastic grass and two dogs and they DON’T wash it regularly so it stinks of dog pee. They clear the poo once a week, often less. It’s gross. The grit that was put under the plastic grass seems to retain all the pee as well. Yuk.

I have artificial lawn and alot of dogs, it’s been down 4 years this year and no regrets! We went for a specific dog friendly one, we have a 200ft long garden so I think that helps as dogs aren’t toileting in one spot and we had the patio extended 20ft so less grass space than before. We hose it down when needed and sometimes use a dog friendly cleaner. We also used something called zeolite that you brush over the top as it helps with dog pee scent. Only did the zeolite when we put the grass down and haven’t ever topped it up.

It’s never been too hot to stand on, we had 40 degree heat a couple years ago and I could walk on it barefoot so definitely safe for dogs paws (this was in direct sun as well).

we have fake grass and a dog and it doesn’t smell, it also doesn’t get too hot, we have a very warm south facing garden and we have no issues. Best thing we’ve done, very easy to look after.

Because as I've said above, real grass isn't working.

But if you are planning different sections or the dog, why plastic grass?

Wed like some form of grass in the garden, and although she'll have her own section I can't guarantee she'll not be in that side of the garden, like if we're all sitting outside

Just to add, the grass section really isn't that big. Most of the garden is concreted, there's a square in the middle that was grass

Our garden already had artificial grass when we moved in. It’s not something I would have chosen but with 2 dogs and a football mad child, it is very practical so we have left it down for now. We did try to train the dogs to do their business around the outside, which they’re fairly good at but not 100% but it doesn’t smell and isn’t too hot to walk on. I do use bugalugs to clean it occasionally but it’s very low maintenance.

Might I respectfully suggest also trying the DIY section for this question? The gardening might not be exactly the right crowd... 😬

It won't just burn your dog's paws, also any wildlife including birds that may venture into your environmental wilderness. It's hideous stuff. At least try gravel as an alternative, it's not as bad.

The surface temperature of artificial grass will definitely burn your dog's paws in a hot summer.

It's also an environmental disaster. Please don't use it. You would be better off paving the area and using large pots to plant at least some real plants.

We considered it recently because my dogs wee burns all the grass. After much research, I got too stressed about the potential smells and decided I’d rather have burnt real grass than smelly fake grass and so we’ve decided against it. Apparently you can get ones that are better for dog wee so I think you really need to make sure you get one of those but even then they can smell.

in a small garden, you can't expect a small square of real grass that is frequently used by the dog to look like the kind of neat green lawn that you see in adverts or country houses. the more a lawn is walked on (by people / dogs etc), the more messed up it will get. but the same goes for fake grass - if the dog always wees on the same small area, it will stink.

look up ideas for small gardens and you could go for something different altogether. So for example, fine gravel with herbs growing in the gravel (thyme, rosemary etc for a lovely scent). or a camomile lawn made of flowers rather than grass. or more paving with plants between the paving - look up Mediterranean gardens for inspiration.

This!
It contains forever plastics that can enter the human body. Can’t be recycled either. Absolutely horrendous stuff.
Lots of other options available.

It will also devalue your house. I couldn’t buy a house with that stuff installed as it’s a nightmare to get rid of.

Not strictly true.

We live in Central London. We prefer the artificial. No way could a lot of people be arsed with mowing a lawn (especially when it’s such a small space)

Our artificial grass gets the afternoon sun - it’s been absolutely fine the last few hot days.

on patio slabs: our front is slabs and that, even in winter, absolutely STUNK of the dog’s urine

Next step is to bin this idea. Plant a tree or even put some sturdy plant pots on the patch instead. Anything but artifical "grass."

Real grass never needs hosing down or anything bar the odd mow. Plastic grass creates extra work.

I would not have an area covered in bark for the dog.
As a PP has said, many dogs love chewing it (ours do) and there is always a danger of it splintering. We only have it in the borders but when they are feeling mischievous they will grab some for a chew.

A family member had an area covered in bark, supposedly to provide a soft area for the kids to play. Turned into a haven for spiders resulting in the kids going nowhere near it. In hot weather, you disturbed only a tiny part and it came alive with the little darlings scurrying everywhere.🕷️

Plastic grass is an insult to nature

And an already-tired social trend that will soon be finished.

I doubt people will be using it in ten years time (I hope not!).

Found comments on this thread interesting re fake grass.
Never smelt wee anywhere I’ve seen it residential or commercial.
Low maixtenance.
No noisy lawn mowers especially on summer days when people trying to enjoy the outside.
No need for chemicals or fertilisers.
Looks so much better than uncared for messy gardens which can be an eyesore for others.
Have had ours down over ten years and never had to do anything except enjoy the perennial plants, trees and bushes in rest of garden where there is also wildlife and insects.
We love it.
Never been too hot!
Never had moss/weeds like we used to.
A lot of snobbery and comments about been tacky but we all can find different things tacky and annoying.

Never had to do anything with it?

Hope all these people who hate fake grass don’t have any plastics in their house or vehicles etc etc as this would be very hypocritical!

Yes it holds heat in an unnatural and dangerous way and also you cannot get the stink of urine out of it after a while. My brother had this problem and even ended up hiring a professional company to deal with the smell but even that only
lasted a little while before it stunk
to high heaven again in the summer!