Gundog Training Forum

I'm in the process of sectioning off an area of the garden for the dogs to do their business in.

They usually empty themselves on their first walk and last walk but if the OH is at home they get to lie in the garden sunning themselves all day, it's a dogs life huh, so there can often be a wee present hidden away for us to find. Also i want to limit their access to the grass through the winter months to try and preserve some of the grass as i have a garden that can resemble a bog if last year is anything to go by.

My question is what should i use for material for it? Where we got our lab from used wood chips but the lab will eat anything and everything so wondered if anything else will do. I can get as much free sand i can use but not sure if that will be suitable.

Cheers for any help

DunK

I don't think a special area is required. I just sit the dog, make it wait then send it off in the desired direction with the chosen command, then go pick it up. they still catch you out the odd time but just go pick it up. Dogs are easy to train to go on command just predict when, give the command and reward verbally in the act

It's not about teaching the dogs to go on command, the eldest dog does that, it's about what material other than woodchips i could use to aid cleaning up.

The area i'm sectioning off stops the dogs getting on the grass if i don't want them to it just so happens it allows me a place for them to go as well.

DunK

Only thing about sand is if either of them like to scratch after toiletting you will get showers of sand everywhere (and a gale like we have just now and it will all end up back on the beach ).

If you could put some proper drainage underneath (both for taking rain and for hosing it down from time to time) is astroturf an option? Or there is always the paving/concrete option

Cathy

Yeah did wonder about that with the sand.

Think slabbing might be the best option and just hose down when needed.

Best not train on astro turf incase they find the bosses tennis court.

DunK