One of my husband’s biggest issues with getting a dog was the fact that said dog would inevitably “burn” our back yard when it went potty.

Urine contains excess nitrogen resulting from the natural metabolism of protein in the body. And dogs, especially females, urinate anywhere and usually all at once, often causing dead brown patches or lawn burn.

So I did some research and found that there are many products available to fight the burn.

Among the products is Nutri-Vet Grass Guard, which neutralizes the potential for high pH (alkaline) urine that can damage grass. It’s available in a wafer and a soft chew.

Luckily, because I’m home with our dog all day, most of the time I can take her on a walk to go to the bathroom, so I have the ability to ensure she’s not marking the same spots over and over. And when she does, I simply dilute the area with water from our hose.

For those who aren’t home to monitor potty breaks all day, especially those who have doggie doors that allow pooches to relieve themselves whenever they wantto, Nutri-Vet Grass Guard should help keep lawns in the green.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

In my house, there’s only one room with carpet (well, besides these amazing carpet tiles, which we had to purchase and scatter about the house when Greta developed a sudden fear of hardwood floors).

The carpet in our living room was purchased after we bought our home but before we ever thought about having a dog join our family, so we of course chose a very inappropriate light color.

Our cats, who are very good about using their litters boxes, have on occasion coughed up impressive hairballs onto said carpet, as well as infrequently upchucked on it, but when it comes to carpet abuse, most fingers and paws in this house point to Greta.

There have been a handful of potty accidents on the carpet in the last two years (both #1 and #2), and Greta also has the keen ability to go into the back yard, stand still on the clean concrete, and somehow manage to track mud into the house on her return.

Because I care about my health, the health of those in my household, and the environment in general, I’m all for any cleaners that remove stains while avoiding the use of carcinogens, hormone disruptors and skin irritants. I also can’t stand the smell of chemicals, so most commercial products won’t work for me.

Luckily, there are two natural products that help in my quest for cleaner carpet.

Biokleen Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator
This stuff cleans spots and eliminates odors–a two-fer bang for my buck. Bac-Out’s live enzyme-producing cultures attack pet, food, and beverage stains, organic waste, and odor until they are gone, digesting them back to nature, safely and naturally. Bac-Out is safe to use around children and pets.

Earth Friendy Products Natumate Stain & Odor Remover
This product is free of chlorine, sodium lauryl sulfate and petroleum based surfactants. Natumate™ is ideal for removing stains/odors due to pet accidents, urine, vomit, blood, food and other natural waste by-products on dirty laundry, fabric, carpeting, tile, sealed wood floors, upholstery, and furniture. It’s safe for your pet, for you and the environment.

I get both of these products at my local Co-Op, but you can also search their websites for retailers in your area.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Pet Doors USA’s latest idea is a technological twist on the pet door that combines convenience with security and safety – for pet owners and pets alike.

Plexidor Pet Doors offers the Plexidor Electronic that opens exclusively for your pet via a wearable pass code “collar key”. It’s like having a personalized garage door and electronic opener specifically for your dog–and your dog is the only one with the electronic opener code.

How Does it Work?
“Collar keys” are programmed, simply clip one to your pet’s collar.  The technology in the door reads and recognizes the code as the pet approaches the door and allows entrance.  The pet door panel slides up and down like a mini-garage door.

The Plexidor collar key is actually an RFID chip. This leading-edge technology is passive, requires no batteries and allows you to have as many of your pets to use the door without ever have to worry about the neighbors’ pets or wild animals coming in your pet door. The RFID tag is also waterproof, shockproof and very rugged.

The Plexidor Electronic Door itself is sturdy, rust-proof, energy efficient and does not blow open like most mud flap pet doors.  The product is made with aluminum framing and high impact ABS panels, the same material used for football helmets. A safety mechanism prevents the door from closing while obstructed, preventing pinched tails, paws or fingers. 

The Plexidor Electronic Pet Door is available in bronze and white, and
various sizes to match all pets. The product line ranges in prices from $129 to $800 depending on size and model. They can be purchased direct or through dealers, and are also available at: www.dogdoors.com or by calling 800-749-9609.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Back when we knew Greta was going to be a part of our household, but she had yet to join our lives, I was reading a lot of “dog training” books.

A lot.

One of them (who can remember which one?) mentioned that when training your dog to “go” on command, you need to choose your wording wisely, because these will be the very same commands you will be using years later…in front of your friends, neighbors and strangers.

Of course, I chose two baby-like commands (“potty” and “poo poo”).

While I don’t regret my word choices, I have found myself, on occassion, embarassed as I’ve had to let Greta out to go “potty” and followed her around the back yard in the wee hours (no pun intended) of the morning, whispering ”go potty” a million times.

These days, Greta is fully “potty” trained.

She does still occassionally get me up in the middle of the night. And when she does, I have to remember that, given the alternative, it’s not a bad thing to be whispering “go potty” in my backyard in those wee hours of the morning.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.