Regrettably, un-fertilization is not possible. However, it doesn't last forever, and as we move into fall doggie burn will be less likely as temperatures drop and soil moisture rises. Those uneven spots will also tend to fade in if you're fertilizing correctly in fall. Some people train Fido to go in certain areas of the yard only, and simply give up that section to doggie damage. Over the course of several years, using high carbon, low nitrogen organic products will condition your soil to be able to handle the nitrogen fertilization from dog urine. We have two dogs, with up to three more visiting at a time (our dogs have more social life than we do), and no doggie burn. There's also no dark green spots in the lawn as it's well fed organically, and the organics bind the nitrogen and force it to release slowly. The whole lawn is dark green. That takes adding a lot of cracked corn and/or sawdust (horse bedding pellets) until the soil organic material rises...which does take time. Proper moisture in summer is key, as you found out. Essentially, you're diluting the dog damage down to a good urea-based fertilizer. Keep that up. While it would be theoretically possible to do that over the lawn area where the dog goes, it would be expensive--and wouldn't encourage the best conditions for grasses, so I'd recommend continuing with the watering can.

I have lazy neighbors who have been allowing their two dogs to run freely and poop in my yard. It used to be an empty lot so I kind of get it but sorry, someone lives here now. After 3 years of going out to yell at the dogs or to actually chase them off (when I see them) and shovelling poop back to their yard the damn dogs still come over. I thought when dogs smell the poop they learn thats's where to poop? I must have sent 40 to 50 piles back to their side. The best part was just the other day either someone also returned them a present, in their driveway, or ome of their dogs actually pooped in the middle of their driveway. Karma is a b!tch. Anyway, dog deterrents DO NOT WORK so do not suggest them. Pellets were a waste of $$, ultrasonic repeller did nothing. I'm not wasting any more effort or $$ on solutions that don't work. And I'm not calling animal control. Range wars only make living in your neighborhood stressful. I want to come home to a castle, not to a war. We get along otherwise so why make things stressful? I'm not talking to them, either. They are already aware of the problem and really, I shouldn't have to ask you to clean up after your dog. Why are we all so entiltled to our rights over everyone elses's anymore? There is absolutely no respect left in this world which I think is really the crux of the matter. You can't ask anyone to do anything that they think infringes their rights. Uh sorry, but we didn't fight two world wars and countless others so it would be acceptable for you to be lazy and let your dogs poop all over. I'm done playing the game. I'm fencing the entire side yard on that side now, probably close to 200 feet. Enough is enough. No one else on the street of large yards has a fence out front so that part of it will stand out. But it's the only thing that will work. I know it's not an option for everyone but it is for me and I have no issues with the look of a beautiful 3 rail white vinyl fence with wire mesh running down the side. And landscaping the inside of the fence line will be fun! I will do the right thing and let them know I am doing it(no setback here so it's only fair to warn them). And when they ask why......problem solved. I'm sure the dogs will start going on the other side now; it will be interesting to see how that neighbor, who has 3 small children, swallows that pill.

Hi Carol, You don't really want any green matter mixed in there because this is not a compost pile. Compost gets mixed and aerated, but not so in a lawn with grass. Instead you would want the already composted results, like the nitrogen in your manures and topsoil. I think you're doing fine. The chips can be nitrogen suckers under a lawn, but it sounds like you are adding a little high-nitrogen soil, so you're going in the right direction. - Tom

Finally famous! Now I'm waiting for the Nobel Prize money to roll in. I've had dogs for decades and do not clean up after them. It takes about 4 days on my yard for the flies and roly polies to take care of it. After 3 days you can step on it without it sticking to your shoe (ask how I know). After 4 days it has melted down below the surface into the soil. I'm not saying yours will do this right now, but it makes a nice goal. I believe the keys to this is to be fully organic with your fertilizer and to cut herbicide and insecticide down to absolute minimum - as needed only. The sooner you start with organics the sooner your yard will regain its health. I'm talking weeks, not years. The application rate for organics is normally 15-20 pounds per 1,000 square feet. If you have not used any organics in awhile, it would be best to start with 5-10 pounds per 1,000 and repeat in a month. That will build the population of microbes your soil need to process the organics quickly. If you do too much too fast there will be the slightest hint of spoiled milk (spoiler - it's not slight). In two months you should really notice a difference in your soil and in the lawn. Morph's favorite organic fertilizers are soybean meal and Milorganite. Mine are alfalfa pellets (rabbit chow) and ordinary corn meal. It all depends on what you can find at your local feed store under $10 or $15 per bag.