AstroTurf in a dog run

[GSD20]

If anyone has this, does it stink?!
Is it easy to keep clean?

We are looking at solutions to our dog run area to avoid a repeat of last years mud bath. It’s quite a big space that’s currently a mix of mud and old slabs I’ve chucked on to try and stop the worst of it. I have 3 big dogs and can’t keep up with them in winter if I let them on the garden as they all dig or swim in the pond!

I know environmentally it’s rubbish (but I do have 1/4 acre that’s not dog run which is wildflowers, grass and a small tree area so I’m not totally killing wildlife!)

What other solution may work? I’ve thought about gravel but I’m not sure that would be any easier?

It gets too hot to walk on in the summer so you would have to lift it then.

The poop sits on top of the blades and yes, it can stink so a friend informs me.

🤔 gravel sounds promising.

My dog won’t wee on Astro turf, my sister has it in her garden and he just runs around getting confused.

I have a large play area of astroturf. It's very long blades so soft on the feet to run on.

It can get hot in summer when in direct sunlight but at the temperatures that are far too hot for dogs also to walk on pavements.

I pick up poo straight away and both with poo and pee I hose it down with water. I have had to occasionally use a sanitizer but for some reason haven't needed to this year as it hasn't smelled.

It is far easier to keep clean than our real grass area which has pee burns even though I also water straight after his pees but I clearly miss some.

It was expensive but we paid to have the ground properly prepared and was totally worth the cost.

Astro-turf can burn their paws in the summer.

It will absolutely stink!

Think it’s out then! Our dogs are fluffy and like to lie outside in the heat so no good if it’s also hot!

Any other suggestions?

What about patches of old carpet around small patches of long grass

I would do paving stones with waterproof beds dotted about for them to sleep on. You can use cheap blankets for comfort and just wash and rotate them if they get whiffy.

The problem with astro turf isn't just the immediate environmental impact, it's the disposal. You can't recycle it, it is literally a huge plastic carpet destined for landfill.
We have used bark chips on an area for our dog. The "bark" smell goes quickly and it is cheap. She will wee and poo on it and the poo is easy to pick up.
I give it a good hose if it hasn't rained for a few weeks but I haven't noticed a smell at all.
We put a good few sacks down so it's really deep. Not sure if they would dig in it though?

You might find they prefer to poo on any concrete available instead, especially if they are older. I can't imagine trying to clean up a messy poo on astroturf.

You probably need to sort out the garden drainage (I know, I know easier said than done without putting channels in, or getting a professional) so for example hopefully you have stopped mowing the grass for autumn/winter now, it will be unsightly until next February but the longer the grass, the less mud. Put in paving stones slabs on all their walk ways. They always have walk ways. Puncture the soil as far down as you can in a grid pattern. Lay concrete or rudimentary patio in front of their kennels.

@puddlebubble thanks for your help!

It’s not kennels, it’s basically a large fenced off area that leads directly out of my bifold doors so that in winter I can confine them to this (and also because my garden is large and I don’t like them out unsupervised incase there was a hole in one of the hedges somewhere!)

It started off quite nice with a thick lawn but as winter went on they constantly weed in the same spots which churned it up very quickly along with the rain. Now there’s no grass at all just dry mud but it’s going to start getting bad once the rain kicks in.

Every time I let them out they would be churning it more and dragging the mud through the house. They are very large dogs so I don’t think that helps as one wee can be like a flood!

I’m thinking of getting some slabs/gravel /bark edging as a temporary measure until I can afford to do it properly! I’m a little concerned it will stink but it’s got to be better than the mud

We absolutely love ours. Only gets too hot on blazing blazing scorcher summer days and it’s fine if there is shade as that bit stays cool. So so easy to lift dog poo off. No mud. Doesn’t smell if laid correctly with a sand layer to absorb wee. Easy to clean. We moved house and have just had more re laid at the new house.

Gravel is the only thing we've found that works OP...it is aesthetically pleasing too..the dogs also seem to enjoy lying on it on a warm day as opposed to their grassed areas! Doesn't smell either.

I keep our dog on the tarmaced / paved bit of the garden for toileting. Wash down with water & kennel disinfectant to avoid smells. I don’t like letting him pop on the grass as it’s harder to clean up and I want that space to be clean for the children. (the dog is allowed to run around / play on the grass but I try to avoid letting him poo there)