Cavalier Connection Message Board

[MKratina]

Hi everyone-

I spend a LOT of time in the yard watering, mowing, etc. We have always had a pretty green lawn until this summer when tinkle spots starting popping up everywhere.

We never had a problem with Maci for three summers, and Lucy was fine last summer, which makes me think it is our 9 month-old boy Winston. In fact, I am almost positive it is Winston due to the location of the tinkle spots. Yet, when I researched the problem, it seems to be female urine that is generally a problem. Hmmm.

I called the vet about what to do and the tech didn't have any answers, ultimately saying I'd basically have to follow Winston for the rest of his life and dump water wherever he tinkles. That seems a little extreme to me.

I searched some old threads here and saw that people recommended 1) a PetSmart product called LawnSaver, and/or 2. giving the dogs a tablespoon of tomato juice.

Any other thoughts? Our backyard looks awful- to the point I think we're done entertaining this summer.

HELP!
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Daddy to Lucy, Winston & Maci (waiting at The Bridge)

[Joanne M]

I've given up on my lawn this summer, at this point, I'm not even watering it anymore. It's been so hot my grass is fried. However, if it weren't already in this sad shape the urine stains would be bothering me. I used to only let Tucker in my back yard, but have started taking him out on the front lawn too, and he pees on EVERYTHING. Particularly shrubs, vines, and flowering plants, he's a pee machine, even when he has nothing left he still lifts his leg!

I will file away any input offered you in hopes that next year my lawn will be better.
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Tucker M born May 14, 2005

[debjen]

One of my friends with border collies, Bernese mountain dogs and shelties just recently posted on facebook that she gives tomato juice with each meal and she has not had any burn spots for years ... might be worth a try.
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Debbie, Riley, Robbie, Cedar and Flyer

[Gemma's Mom]

If you find something that works, let me know. Our backyard looks "okay", but we had work going on most of the spring and have only had real access to it for a few weeks. Our front yard "curb grass" is a mess though. There's a big tree between the sidewalk and the curb and every dog in the neighborhood uses our lawn as a toilet. Our guys often do also, since we've had limited access to the back yard. You'd actually think it should look worse than it does, but still, I would like to get more green there. We don't allow them on the grass behind the sidewalk at all, just the curb grass, since the other dogs all use it.

I read that females are generally more of a problem because they squat and the urine is concentrated in one place. Males tend to spray, so the urine is disperse more. Perhaps, when he starts to lift his leg, that will help your problem (unless he already does!). Both Razz and Gemma squat, so the impact from either is pretty much the same on my lawn.
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Lynn - Razz & Gemma's Mom and Lucky & Sparky's Aunt. RIP My Little Jewel.

[MKratina]

Winston is a male squatter right now, so his tinkle is concentrated in the same spot. I actually kind of like the fact that he doesn't lift his leg (we've always had female doggies in our family, so perhaps I'm just used to that).

Joanne: I am with you on the summer lawn 2010. I have almost given up. Some lawn guys are coming to look at it as we have a mixture of tinkle spots/fungus throughout the backyard, but sadly I am already turning toward next summer to enjoy the backyard. That just kills me because we always used to play in the backyard with Emma, Maci, Lucy, etc. but this year it just depresses me to go back there. We've been going on walks instead.

It seems crazy to me someone hasn't figured out how to regulate the nitrogen in a doggies' tinkle. I thought maybe our vet would recommend more vitamin C or something of that nature.

I will absolutely give the tomato juice thing a try, though I'll run it by our breeder(s) first as Lucy's breeder is pretty involved with the breed nationally. If she provides any answers, I'll be sure to pass them along.

Thank you for your input everyone- we welcome all advice/ comments!!!
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Daddy to Lucy, Winston & Maci (waiting at The Bridge)

[Gemma's Mom]

[MaxandMindysMom]

I read an article in a gardening magazine where a couple had two large dogs and had taught them to potty in a certain portion of their yard (which was nicely hidden behind trees). That seemed like waaay too much work for me though.
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Debbie
Mom to Mindy (tri) Feb 8/1998 - March 2010 - I miss you more than words can say
Max (ruby) Sept 23/08
Rylie (B&T) June 5/09

[mrsfarmer]

My cousin invented this
http://www.rascalspots.com/

I'll admit I haven't tried it yet. He gave me a bottle this spring, but while I brought it home, it dumped out in my car!

I don't have too much problem in my yard except in early spring. I guess since my yard is huge the boys don't go in the same spots. Most of the time they pee against the big trees.
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Idette along w/Armani - tri, Tracer - Mini Schnauzer & kitties - Goldie & Blackie

[Gemma's Mom]

Thanks for the info, Idette. When I get back from vacation, I will have to order that and try that.
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Lynn - Razz & Gemma's Mom and Lucky & Sparky's Aunt. RIP My Little Jewel.

[MelJ]

Wesley is only our second male dog ever and he hikes, then walks through it. Sigh.... Our only other male we got as a pup and he squatted (is that a word?).

Wesley will also hike on anything upright when being walked, even though nothing comes out after the first pee. Just marking his territory over and over again, I guess.
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Melaney. Besotted mother to Arrabelle and Wesley

[mrsfarmer]

[Debby and Barkley]

What can I say, move to Florida. Our grass is really tough and even my swale grass, where 100 neighbor dogs do their daily business, is lush and green.
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Debby with a Y, Barkley the Cavalier, and Sweet Pea the ETS

[Kodee]

Becky last year when we got her till this spring left horrible marks. Then bam all fixed, no more. Kodee doesnt either. I am not sure if this has anything to do with it, but that was the time Becky went grain free and Kodee already is. Plus both mine drink a ton of water which i think helps. This year we are having a hot humid summer with the right amt of rain that I havent needed to water my lawn vs last summer seems i had the hose out for this or that daily. Lack of watering - try putting the sprinkler on it for a good long soak vs many short soaks more often.

it could be like this article suggests the effect of fertilizer combo with too much nitrate in the urine.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=88

http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-85.htm

And finally lol an article on grass burns - dont always blame Fido lol
http://www.paghat.com/dogpee.html
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Kodee, Becky and Debbie

"How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours." ~Wayne Dyer

[MKratina]

Man, Kodee, that's great- all of sudden the problem went away? I hope that happens here, but in the meantime, I'm following him with the hose.

Also, what do you mean when you say you went grain-free? Did you change foods?

I SOS'd Winston & Lucy's breeders and they had many suggestions. For those of you in the same boat as me, here you go:

Lucy's breeder, whom many of you might know as she is pretty involved with the breed, recommended these products, saying there was nothing harmful in them:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11874

http://www.revivalanimal.com/store/p/841-Grass-Saver.aspx

Winston's breeder, who is newer in the breeding game but is being mentored by Lucy's breeder, had this suggestion:

http://www.petedge.com/catalog/search.jsp?Ntt=lawn&Ntk=AllSearch&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=0&Nty=1

She also mentioned Dog rocks. Has anyone heard of these? She explained them thusly:

Dog Rocks’ are rocks you put in your dogs drinking water. We sell them at www.petnetwork.com.au The idea is they alter the staining ability of the urine and help prevent the lawn from developing patches of brown. Of course, they also help prevent staining of the urine on the coat……Probably the worlds best kept secret when it comes to preventing staining from urine.

Now I have way too many options, but options nonetheless. Here's to solving the problem!
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Daddy to Lucy, Winston & Maci (waiting at The Bridge)

[drawadog]

Tomato sauce works but you have to use it at every meal. I skipped some and got grass burns. And I think some dogs have stronger urine too.
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"Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog. But you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog."
Douglas Mallock

Sher & Pixelle