How to Repair Dog Urine Patches on Your Lawn

Gardening Tips / By

Dog urine spots can be one of the most frustrating problems for lawn-proud homeowners. You’ve spent time and effort building a lush green lawn — then suddenly you’ve got yellow patches, bare spots, and dead grass where your dog goes to the toilet.

As a professional gardener working across UK gardens year-round, I’ve dealt with this countless times — including in my own home lawn. The good news? It’s easy to fix when you do it properly, and with the right tools and technique, you’ll have new grass up in 1–2 weeks.

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🐶 Why Dog Urine Burns the Lawn

Dog urine contains high levels of nitrogen and salts. In small amounts, nitrogen can fertilise the grass — but when it’s concentrated in one spot, it acts like an overdose, effectively “burning” the grass. This leaves behind the classic yellow or brown circular patches with healthy growth around the edges (sometimes called a “green ring”).

Female dogs often cause more damage simply because they tend to urinate in one concentrated spot, whereas males mark in smaller amounts over a larger area.

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🛠 Tools & Products I Use to Fix Dog Urine Patches

You don’t need to spend a fortune — but you do need reliable gear that works. Here’s what I recommend and use myself in client gardens:

  • Spring Rake – for removing dead grass and preparing the surface
  • Lawn Patch Repair Mix – contains grass seed, fertiliser, and sometimes soil improver
  • Watering Can or Hose with Fine Rose – keeps the seedbed moist

My top product picks:

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🌱 Step-by-Step: How I Repair Dog Wee Patches on Lawns

Here’s exactly how I tackle dog urine patches — this works in small gardens, larger lawns, and on ongoing maintenance rounds.

1. Rake Out the Dead Grass

Use a spring rake (not a hard tine rake) to gently but thoroughly remove the dead grass and any dry, yellowed thatch. You want to open up the surface so the seed can contact the soil.

2. Lightly Loosen the Soil

Use the back of the rake or a hand fork to rough up the soil. Don’t dig deep — you just want to create a loose, crumbly surface so the seed sits in the top 1cm and isn’t blown away.

3. Apply the Patch Repair Mix

I use Speedy Seed Ultra Patch — it’s quick to establish, works even in part shade, and includes a urine neutraliser. It’s a mix of seed, feed, and soil improver — so just spread a handful over each patch (follow the label if you’re not sure).

4. Rake the Seed In Gently

Go back over it with your spring rake to mix the seed slightly into the topsoil. Don’t bury it too deep — grass seed needs light to germinate, but contact with soil is critical.

5. Water Gently — and Keep Moist

Use a watering can or a hose with a fine rose to gently water the patch. Don’t blast it. You’ll want to keep it moist daily (especially if it’s sunny or windy) for at least 10–14 days. New growth usually appears within 5–7 days with fast-germinating mixes.

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🐾 Can You Prevent Dog Wee Patches?

Yes — but it takes some consistency. Here are a few tips I often pass on to clients:

  • Train your dog to wee in a specific area of the garden (bark, gravel, or a non-lawn zone)
  • Water the area immediately after urination — it dilutes the nitrogen before damage occurs
  • Keep your lawn healthy with regular feeding and good drainage — a strong lawn recovers faster
  • Feed your dog a urine pH balancer (check with your vet first)

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💬 Common Questions I Get From Clients

Can you just reseed the patch without raking?

You can, but you’ll get poor results. Dead thatch and compact soil will stop seed from germinating. Prepping the patch is 90% of the work.

How long does it take to grow back?

With the right seed (like Speedy Seed), you’ll often see green shoots in 5–7 days. Full coverage takes 2–3 weeks.

Will the dog just wee on the new grass again?

Yes — unless you change behaviour or location. That’s why I recommend long-term training and designated toilet zones if possible.

What time of year is best to fix it?

Spring and early autumn are ideal — warm enough to germinate, but not too dry or hot. Avoid peak summer unless you can water daily.

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✅ Final Thoughts: What Actually Works

Dog wee patches don’t mean you can’t have a great lawn. The key is to act quickly, use proper prep, and choose a reliable seed mix. I’ve fixed dozens (probably hundreds) of these in real gardens — and this method always works if you stick to it.

Here’s a quick recap of what I recommend:

All links are affiliate links — meaning I earn a small commission if you choose to buy through them, at no cost to you. It helps support this blog and keeps the tips coming.

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Got questions about lawn repair or pet damage? Drop them in the comments or send me a message — always happy to help.

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