Can dogs pee on new turf?

The first few weeks

Try to keep dogs off new turf for two to three weeks while it roots. Running and digging can lift rolls, and urine on young grass with shallow roots is more likely to scorch it.

If your garden is all lawn, fence off a small area or take your dog for more walks for a while. If that's not possible, choose one corner and rinse it with a watering can after each visit.

Why dog urine leaves patches

Urine is rich in nitrogen. A little feeds grass, but a concentrated dose in one spot burns it, leaving a yellow patch, often with a ring of dark green grass around the edge. Female dogs tend to cause more patches because they empty their bladder in one place.

What helps

Rinsing the spot with water soon after dilutes it. Keeping your dog well hydrated helps too. Products that claim to change urine aren't needed if you rinse.

Turf for a dog-friendly garden

The lawn turf we lay is hard-wearing, which matters with dogs: it recovers well from running about and patches repair easily. Very fine, delicate lawns wear quickly under paws; ours is made for everyday family use. See choosing turf for your garden.

Repairing a patch

Rake out the dead grass, loosen the soil, add a little topsoil and either reseed or cut in a piece of turf. Water it daily until it knits in.