Hi everyone, I’m just starting out with gardening and looking after a patio area.
I’ve got a big question: I’m moving into a house with a terrace, but it’s just made of stones with a membrane underneath to stop weeds (I’ll be renting). I have two dogs – can anyone give me some advice on how to set up a dedicated toilet spot for them without ruining the patio? Thanks in advance for any replies!
Translated from French
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Hi, I’m wondering the same thing. We’re about to move into a place with a 30-square-metre terrace, as we couldn't find a home with a garden. Our dog is used to having a garden; we take him out several times a day, but he occasionally does his business outside. We’d like to set up a little spot for him just in case he’s caught short, but we don't know how to go about it? Have you found a solution? Thanks for your help!
I’m not so sure, but I saw "gardening" mentioned, so maybe the OP just wants to set up a special area to avoid her veg patch getting wrecked (which doesn’t mean she loves her veg patch more than her dogs 🤣). Whether it’s occasional, regular or even permanent—I couldn't really tell from reading the post. And even if it's only occasional, it doesn't stop some people from wanting to do things their own way in a little dedicated spot. At the end of the day, we’ve all interpreted it in our own way.
Maybe I misunderstood Boxy, but as far as I could tell, there was never any mention of a quick or occasional wee in a garden – or a garden at all, for that matter – but rather peeing and pooing on a gravelled patio?
If it’s only "occasional" and the dogs are walked regularly, then there’s no reason to worry about the state of the patio... unless they’re already in the habit of doing their business on a balcony or patio (which would mean they aren't getting out much).
Sometimes my dog has a wee in the garden in the morning; he has a favourite spot on a bush that seems to handle it well, but if he goes on the lawn, I make sure to hose it down. Otherwise, he always goes when we’re out for a walk, and he certainly makes the most of it!
I really hope, as you say, that the dogs are doing their business during their walks and that the patio is only an exception if they’re caught short. :-)
It’s quite common for some people to let their dogs go in the garden before heading out for a walk for various reasons.
Others train them to do this just in case, for instance, if the owner or the dog gets poorly.
The OP hasn’t actually said she doesn’t take her dogs out beyond the garden (unless I’ve misread it).
She was just asking how to set up a toileting area on the terrace, so let's not jump to conclusions ^^
When I was little, we had a neighbour who used to make her Yorkie do its business on the balcony. It would sometimes drip down onto the neighbour's laundry downstairs.
I was only a child, and I used to watch this poor dog that never went out, except for a quick walk around the block in the evening. He’d whimper and whimper, and then, when he couldn't hold it any longer, he’d go on this poor old floorcloth.
At the time, I thought my neighbour was barmy, and I wanted to report her to the RSPCA for animal cruelty.
I only realised later on that so many people are completely out of touch with animal needs and welfare, to the point where they’ve normalised some really concerning habits. Take those indoor dog toilets sold online, for example... (which, by the way, featured a seriously overweight Corgi :- ) ).
Two dogs doing their business (wee AND poo!) on a balcony: it’s not fair on the dogs at all... dogs need to go outside for walks and a good sniff around... and it’s not exactly nice for the owner of the property either. Not to mention the smell, especially with summer on the way.
I was tempted to give some "leafy balcony potty" landscaping advice—I’m sure there are ways to set it up, and clearly (sadly) there’s a market for it... but for the sake of the dogs' well-being: please don't let them get into the sad habit of relieving themselves on your terrace! Take them out, or hire a pet sitter.
(Sorry, I’m not usually one to be grumpy in my posts, but this really is just too sad).
Well, that’s just counterproductive, same as puppy pads. That pathetic little pee patch is never going to be a substitute for proper walks. If you haven’t got the time, I don’t see why you have dogs in the first place.
