Hi

In our new house we have a back corner of the garden that I intend to train our dog to use as her toilet area. I was thinking of planting it with some wild grasses/flowers etc, to make it look like an attractive bit of scrub land suited to the purpose! But, does anyone have any particular recommendations..?

e.g. Are there any plants that are particularly good at withstanding the onslaught of pee and poo? Or any that are good at helping to process the biological waste?

Thanks!

It really depends a lot upon your climate; obviously desert perennials would not thrive in the pacific northwest, or in an area that snows in winter. And an English garden doesn't do well in the desert southwest. That being said, I've discvoered that none of my plants (mostly drought and heat tolerant perennials) have suffered the worse for wear from my dog "fertilizing" them. If anything, the only real damage they suffer is when she steps on them, or lays on them right after planting, and during their tender spring growth period-- and she has access to the entire garden. I even play fetch with her out there, and it is especially fun when her toy lands in a dense patch of flowers, where she has use her nose to find it-- and it's hilarious when she pulls her head out all covered in pollen! So in summary, your choice of a grass/wild flower meadow sounds ideal for a canine powder room (and it will reseed itself, too). Just watch the dog carefully in the first weeks after planting/seeding, until the plants become well established.

Don't know where you live. Tall grasses can harbor ticks and snakes, mosquito's like it too.

Yes, good point about location. I am in eastern Australia, somewhere between temperate and sub-tropical. The area in question gets a fair amount of sun.

I hadn't thought about ticks, though the rest of the garden is quite lush anyway...

[wishbone]

Is it big enough so you could let him pee on different spots and not only few particular? Or better to train him to do his business on just few spots where it is easy to clean, no plant is growing, on the corner where easy for your buddy to access.

you should also be aware of those grass or plants that might harm your dog..

Paw Planet: Poisonous plants to dogs

Originally Posted by jacko

you should also be aware of those grass or plants that might harm your dog..

Paw Planet: Poisonous plants to dogs

I think jako is right.careful to select plants.lol

[rayter]

I think you can put any plants in the garden for as long as the doggy loo or toilet area is well maintained and you ensure that the wastes are converted into organic fertilizer. I suggest you build a compost bin to recycle dog poop.

well i dont have any idea with your concern but your intentions to your dog is so great

My question is. I breed and raise Germen Shepherds and I have a kennel that has a small septic system that I have the waste go into however it some times over flows and at the moment the are some very tall and healthy looking grass and weed around it. This area is definitely not a place to grow any thing to eat. How ever if I transplanted some of the Luffa plant's to that area and let it climb the kennel it would give good shade for the dogs and eat up a lot bacteria infested water and nitrogen. My question is do you think I would still be able to use the sponges if I soak then in bleach when harvested.