Tips on teaching dogs "areas" to relieve themself

[setterguy]

OK, I am finally sick of the burn spots in the yard and this weekend, I am going to create a spot in the yard with pea rock (no pun intended) so they can go and not burn my grass. I have two dogs, I'm thinking an area of about 12x12, that is on a slight slope that is right in the back corner of my yard that goes right into a drainage culvert. A couple questions:

1.) Do you think 12x12 is big enough for two large dogs?

2.) Anything I should put down under the pea rock? Fabric? Class 5? River Rock? Right now it is pretty hard clay under there, I'm a little concerned about drainage.

3.) Best way to clean the area? Spray it with hose or is there some solution I could use?

4.) Best way to get them to start using the area instead of the sod. Righ now I am anticipating bringing them out on leashes for about two weeks, with a potty command until they figure it out.

Any tips advice would be appreciated.

[slotlimit]

I forget off the top of my head but their is a product you can put down or spray and it causes the dog to go in that area. I'm sure you can find it. I believe it's in the mag. Dr. Foster and smith. Google it.

[LABS4ME]

Setterguy, I did the exact same thing when I had a city lot. I had 2 labs and I only did an 8x8. It could've/should've been a slight bit bigger. I thing 12x12 or 12x8 should be ample.

My dogs did not want to go on a leash. I ended up putting some rabbit fence arond the area for a couple weeks and I would quickly walk them over to it and put them in their and command potty. After a couple weeks they had it down. I then took the fence down and would walk them over to the area and command go potty and they'd run over to the rocks and go. Eventually the younger of the two would just go over there and go without me taking her...

I used 1 1/2" river rock. I didn't want the pea rock getting kicked out into the lawn. Look at play areas that have pea rock under them and look how much ends up in the lawn. There is also a 3/4" river rock that should work well... I just hosed mine down occassionally. The rock was 6" deep (just below the depth of a timber) and I wasn't too concerned about what was beneath the rock...

Hope it all works for you... if it does, it sure is a slick way to go.

Good Luck!

Ken

[setterguy]

Thanks Ken, I will look into the River Rock idea.

[jbdragon17]

Va Poorize ...lol

[Blaze]

Justin - check into Nature's Miracle - stuff works great for killing any odor, etc. Also, if you have a male, a 'target' is always a good idea too. We have a light pole and a power box in our yard that we landscaped around and are the designated 'spots' in our yard. We used the leash for a week or so and that did the trick.

Good luck,

Blaze

[Captain B.R.K]

Now what if I change the size and age of the dog being trained to go to the "area" to relieve herself.......

Since getting our dog, we have taken her to this little area, I'd say it is probably 5 x 20 (back of the house in a little slew area between the next lot) and command potty. We have always carried her afraid that she would stop on the way and not be able to "hold it".

What tips would you recommend to get over the hump and get her to walk out to the spot. Sooner or later I won't be able to hold her- she'll be to big