Outdoor exercise and fresh air are vital to the well-being of dogs. This exercise involves running and playing in a yard or just a Tetherball Game for Dogs.
It is common for your lawn or a grassy area of your yard to get messy in mud during the rainy season because of constant walking and running around by dogs.
As your dog run around the yard, they carry the mud into the house on its paws or fur, and it creates a muddy mess inside the house, staining the floors or those fancy rugs and sofa you bought for a fortune.
And when you think about it, getting rid of these muddy dog trails is an additional chore to whatever you have planned—more reason to take this seriously.
Most time, we lack the time and energy to bathe our dogs whenever they get dirty playing outside.
So, finding a way to eliminate all the mud in a dog’s play area could better solve the dirty paws and fur problem.
In this article, you will be learning how to fix a muddy backyard dog trail to enable you to have a neat environment all the time.
Different Ways to Fix a Muddy Dog Trail
Every problem has the main solution and other methods that can be used to fix a problem. When it comes to your dog’s muddy trail, you might want to start by checking out your drainage system and extending the drainage pipes to prevent stagnant water in your backyard.
Speaking of other ways, there are also different solutions for muddy trails in a big or small backyard (or lawn). We will discuss methods to fix a muddy dog trail in a small backyard and a large backyard.
Some of these solutions are temporary while others are permanent, some are affordable, and others are expensive; there are even ecological friendly ways to cover up a muddy dog trail.
Quick Fixes for Dog Trails in Small Spaces
We will provide solutions to muddy dog trails in small backyards; these solutions are easy to install and can give your yard a gorgeous look.
1. Artificial Grass or Turf
Artificial grass looks exactly like natural grass. They are soft and comfortable for your dog to sleep and play on. And the best part is that they are made of materials that cannot destroy easily.
It is totally low maintenance, and guess what! It drains pee. If you are worried about artificial grass forming puddles, then worry no more because artificial turf drains the pee and keeps out the smell. However, you may need to use a hose on it a few times.
While artificial turf has many great qualities, it is expensive and can be a little out of your budget. Check out this affordable artificial turf on Amazon; click here
2. Kennel Decking or Deck Tiles
Kennel decking is a deck in your backyard. Kennel decking is done above the ground (just like a deck), and it is usually constructed along with a spacious cage for your dog to run around in. It is safe and fun for your dog to use.
It is made of different materials, ranging from PVC to plastic to wood, and these materials are chew proof, so you don’t have to worry about your dog destroying this one. It is usually 23 to 25 inches long, 47 to 50 inches wide and 2 inches high. Get a cheap kennel deck here
3. Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is smooth and paw-friendly for your dog. They also offer cool temperatures during hot days, though the pea travels can be hosed to create a more cooling effect. During springtime, the travels need to be refilled (every year) as they tend to sink during this period.
Plus, pea travels can beautify your yard; a proper arrangement by an expert or a neat DIY project can leave you with a fancy backyard as the outcome.
Find Out: Can Dogs Play Tetherball?
Best Solution to Cover Muddy Dog Trails in Huge Backyards
Some methods like kennel decking and pea travels may not be suitable for a large space. So here are other solutions that are best carried out in a large backyard or lawn.
1. Sand
Sand is another quick fix. But as far as solutions to muddy dog trails go, sand is not the best option. Sand is used to covering the muddy trails a couple of inches higher.
But just like mud, your dog can get sand everywhere and on themselves; as they roll on it, you know dogs are natural goofballs, and there is no way you can keep them in a pile of sand and expect them to be neat. And there is also the fact that sand absorbs heat from the sun.
This is very beneficial during cold weather, but it will make your dog feel uncomfortable during hot days.
2. Hay or straw
Using straw and hay is another quick fix that can be used in a large backyard. You can easily purchase straws of hay from a feed store, or you can equally get them from a farm nearby. While straw and hay are a cheap and easy method, it is not the best option, and here are the reasons why.
Hays are good at covering up muddy trails, but they can still get carried out by wind and leaves your yard untidy.
They decompose eventually if left for a long time, and they can be a threat to your dogs or kid as they grow fungus and pose a threat of infections. They also absorb moisture which can leave your yard wet for a long time.
Since they absorb moisture, they also absorb pee. This could give your yard a foul smell.
3. Concrete Paths or Area
This is one of the best solutions for a muddy dog trail; it can be permanent but may need a little fixing here and there.
You can make concrete paths in a small area or cover an entire space with it. Well, the price varies depending on the size of the area you want to cover. Covering a large area is more expensive, but I think it’s worth it.
While using concrete is one of the best solutions, it also has its flaws. Have you ever tried running on a concrete slab barefoot? Well, if you have, then you know that it feels rough against your feet.
Imagine your dog having to run on the concrete with their paws; it will be an unpleasant experience for them.
Then there is also the fact that concrete gets very cold during cold days and hot during hot days or summertime. It can also be uncomfortable for your dog. However, another upside is that your kids can use it to drive their bikes around.
4. Flagstone path
Have you ever seen one of those pathways that leads to an enchanted land or another fairytale dimension in the movies? Well, that is the path we are talking about. All you need to do is to fix these paths in muddy areas in your backyard.
You can try a DIY project installing the flagstone path, or you can call a professional if you want it done in a highly decorative yet mud proof way. Doing a flagstone path yourself will require physical labor to get a neat job.
Contacting an expert may be expensive. Watch the cool video below to see how to build a flagstone path in five minutes!
Eco-friendly Landscape Solutions to Cover Muddy Backyard Dog Trails
There are a lot of reasons to consider eco-friendly solutions. It helps reduce the effect of climate change, and it has other benefits. So not only are you fixing a muddy dog trail, but you are also helping the environment.
1. Trees
Trees like bald cypress, River birch, Pin oak and willow are natural loves of water, so planting one of these trees will do you massive good if you have bad drainage.
Aside from soaking up water and getting rid of muddy dog trails, these trees are a great source of shade. Just imagine a life where you don’t have to worry about a muddy dog trail, and you have an amazing tree shade out there in your yard, perfection, right?
However, to grow a good tree to absorb all that moisture from your back yard, you need to ready the soil for what’s coming.
- Be sure to soak up all the mud water using drier leave or any other dried materials.
- dig a deep hole in the muddy area but start digging after the soil is dried.
2. Creeper Plants or Sods
Creeper plants is another water-loving plant. Just like trees, they absorb water (stagnant water).
Wherever there is a depression that leads to stagnant water, plant these vines as they will equally remove a muddy trail from your backyards. But these vines do not look very attractive when planted in your backyard, so in terms of beautification, it is a no.
3. Mulch or Wood Chips
Flakes of pinecones are best for mulching as they get a rod of muddy dog trail and improve the soil quality as it contains organic matters.
You pour the flakes over the muddy trails and make it an inch or two above the ground, and voila, you are done. Your dog won’t get dirty playing on this flake, and unlike straws, wood chips or pinecone flakes won’t fly around. Your dogs can’t eat wood chips or pinecone flakes as it is uninviting.
You should avoid using cocoa flakes as they can cause food poisoning for your dogs. It is another temporary fix that is also ecologically friendly. However, it decomposes and may need periodic replacement.
4. Rain Garden
If you have any depressed area in your yard that collects water after rain, that is a perfect spot for a rain garden. The aim of a rain garden is to allow water-loving plants to soak up the water.
Plants like Lady fern, Bellflower, and pink turtlehead don’t only help to soak up water; their decorative properties also make your yard look beautiful.
How does a rain garden benefit the ecosystem? Rain gardens soak up metallic pollutants and grease; they also improve the quality of nearby water bodies. But they can also attract bugs and insects, so if you are not a big fan of bugs, you may need to reconsider this option.
Tips For Fixing a Muddy Dog Trail
We have seen how untidy, muddy dog trails make your yard looks like, and when they get into the house, things get worse. This dirt can be accompanied by bugs we don’t want in our house. But before moving further with one of these solutions, you must consider a few things.
1. Available space
Some fixes are best for small spaces, while others will do great for large spaces. An example of a solution that will not be suitable for a small backyard is planting trees. Trees occupy a lot of space and will make a small backyard congested.
2. Budget
Your choice of fixing a muddy trail should be based on the money you have at hand. For a cheap and affordable method, you can consider straw and hay or sand. For expensive fixes, you can purchase artificial turf or kennel decks or use concrete.
But long-lasting and decorative fixes are more expensive than the others. It may need maintenance, though.
Learning Dog Behaviors
A well-trained dog will not dig around the yard or spread mud everywhere. Only a stubborn dog will do that. And some breeds are natural diggers like Huskies and Chow-chow.
Some dogs bury themselves in mud to cool off during hot days. Understanding your dog behavior will determine what solution is best for your yard.
Conclusion: How to Fix a Muddy Backyard Dog Trail
We love our dogs so much; they are just so cute! But it gets annoying when you always must clean up after their messes, especially muddy messes.
Fortunately, we have listed out ways to help you fix muddy dog trails. You can consider artificial turf, pea travels, straw and hay, mulching, concrete and some eco-friendly method, making a rain garden and planting trees.
And the best part is that these solutions are available at an affordable or expensive price; they are also fixes that are temporary or permanent and then others suitable for small or large spaces.
Keep your yard and dog clean and safe using the above methods.
You May Also Like:
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Muddy Dog Yard Solutions – How to Fix a Muddy Backyard Dog Trail