[robstarzxc]

We recently purchased a home in the village with a fully enclosed fence, unfortunately there's no lawn for our yellow lab. My plans are to put artificial turf/carpet either over the concrete slabs or the gravel area. That being said both seem to have positives and negatives. Any help would be appreciated.

concrete: flat surface but has the epoxy paint, not sure if urine with go through it. Will the Florida heat melt the turf backing to the epoxy concrete.

gravel area: hard to lay carpet on rocky surface, thinking I would have to lay down sand and stake carpet down over it

[blueash]

How about removing some of the gravel and planting some grass?

[fdpaq0580]

How about a "sandbox" type thing filled with sand, dirt, turf (real or artificial), or your choice of filling. Dogs can be house trained where they can and can't go, so a small bit of grass in the gravel area could/should be enough.

[bmcgowan13]

Check out these solutions.

Google PORCH POTTY.

Then go from there. This will give you a general idea but if you search the web (and AMAZON) there are lots of commercial and home-made options.

[mrsstats]

Be careful with the artificial turf, that gets very hot in the sun and can burn their paws.

[villagetinker]

IMHO, I believe the artificial turf will be hard to clean and will have a significant odor. I do not have a solution for you.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I would've - not purchased a home that didn't have a lawn. That would've been a deal-breaker if I had a dog. But since you went ahead and made that decision for yourself, my advice would be to tear up the concrete and put in a lawn. You can put in cheap bermuda grass, it really won't matter since it's for your dog to run around on and use as his toilet.

[Papa_lecki]

I lived in an apartment with a rooftop dog area. They had artificial turf, but they had an irrigation system that ran every day to rinse the turf. Also had to spray a deodorizer every day

Don’t put turf over concrete, there is no place for the urine and water to go.
If the gravel area is big enough, go there, but there is a specific sub surface you should put down.
Install irrigation too.

[Grinchie]

There are many district-owned grassy areas nearby. I have a grass yard for my dog, but she still needs to sniff the air, smell everything & have a walk (with doggie bag at hand).

[Velvet]

As long as you don’t consider “district owned” the part of lawns that the property owners pay and look after as their front lawn. They don’t do it so you can use it as a latrine for your dog. But if you mean dog parks etc I completely agree.

Personally, the easiest thing for me and my dogs with our fenced in yard, was a large sand box where the dogs were trained to go. I had a scooper and the sand could be changed too. I initially trained the dogs by hiding a little treat in the area which they could have after they did the “right” thing. Maybe the gravel part can be changed to sand?

[Cuervo]

My grandmother lived in a five-floor tenement building in N.Y. and taught her dog how to use the toilet.
I'm not saying you have to do that but there are products on the market that are designed for dog of all sizes that might take care of your issue.

[darkim]

I recently lived in Phoenix for 15-years. Dog are perfectly capable of relieving themselves on gravel rocks.

[Bay Kid]

I love my concrete dog.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I would've - not purchased a home that didn't have a lawn. That would've been a deal-breaker if I had a dog. But since you went ahead and made that decision for yourself, ....

Who should make those sorts of decisions? Is there a "Decision Board" in TV that can help people?

[Jewelz]

We have a courtyard villa with just cement and rocks and the dogs don’t mind using the rocks at all… And when it rains, it all gets rinsed away!