Straw-colored grass or dead spots with dark green borders are common in lawns of dog owners. The concentrated salts in the urine of dogs, particularly females, cause these spots. There are only a couple of solutions to this problem. Some dog owners follow the dog with a hose and wash the spots — a labor-intensive solution. A better solution is to retrain the dog to go to a specific, out-of-the-way area, perhaps a graveled or mulched remote corner of the property. Water is the only thing that can reverse the effects of dog urine on grass. Do not apply baking soda, dishwashing detergent, or products claiming to dissolve or leach the salts. They will be ineffective and may compound the problem. Sometimes, the damaged grass can't be revived, making reseeding necessary. The damaged spots should be heavily watered with a hose for a few days before reseeding or resodding. For more information, read the Purdue Extension publication: Animal Urine Damage in Turf.

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