Hi, I'm Isaac, the owner of Ready 2 Mow. A lot of the yards I take care of around Seminole, Largo and the beaches have a dog (or two) who thinks the backyard is their personal kingdom. I love that. But dogs and lawns don't always get along, so here are some simple things I've learned about keeping a yard nice when you share it with a four-legged friend.
Do a Poop Patrol Before Every Mow
This is the number one tip, and it's not glamorous. Before the mower comes out, walk the whole yard and pick up after your dog. Running over a pile spreads it across the grass, onto your shoes and onto the mower deck, and nobody wants that.
When I show up to mow, I always walk the yard first anyway to look for sticks, toys and sprinkler heads. If you can do a quick pickup the morning I'm coming, it makes the job cleaner and faster for everybody.
Pick Up the Toys and Chews
Tennis balls, rope toys and chewed-up bones love to hide in tall grass. A mower blade can shred a toy in a second or throw a piece of it pretty hard. Toss everything into a bucket or bring it inside before mowing day. Bonus: your dog won't lose their favorite ball.
Keep Your Dog Inside While Mowing
Even calm dogs can get curious about a loud mower or a string trimmer. Trimmers can kick up small rocks and debris, and some dogs like to chase anything that moves. The safest plan is to keep pets inside until the mowing, trimming and blowing are all done and the yard is cleaned up. I always ask that pets stay in when I'm working, and I'll wait for a minute while you bring them in.
Watch for Dog Paths and Worn Spots
Dogs are creatures of habit. Most of them run the same route along the fence every single day, and that turns into a dirt path. A few ideas that can help:
- Mow a little higher in busy areas. Taller grass usually holds up better to paws than grass that's cut really short.
- Give them a planned path. Some families put stepping stones or mulch along the fence line where the dog already runs, so it looks on purpose instead of worn out.
- Rake out the clumps. Loose dirt and dead grass along the path can be raked smooth so the rest of the lawn looks tidy.
Brown Spots From Dog Pee
If you see round brown or yellow spots with a dark green ring around them, that's usually from your dog going in the same spot over and over. Some things people try are rinsing the spot with a hose soon after, or training their dog to use one corner of the yard, like a mulched area. I don't do any spraying or chemical treatments, so for patching bad spots you'll want to talk to a lawn and garden pro. What I can do is keep the grass mowed at a good height and edged so the yard looks its best overall.
Check the Fence Line
When I trim along fences, I keep an eye out for spots where a dog has been digging under. If I see a hole or gap, I'll let you know so your pup doesn't sneak out. Keeping the grass and weeds trimmed along the fence also makes it easier for you to spot those holes yourself.
Watch Out for Thorny and Prickly Plants
Some plants around Pinellas County yards have sharp spines or stiff, pointy leaves. If your dog likes to run through the beds, keeping shrubs trimmed back from walkways and the fence path can help protect noses and paws. If you're not sure whether a plant is safe for pets, your vet is the best person to ask.
Fresh Water and Shade
Even in the cooler months here, Florida sun can be strong in the middle of the day. Make sure your dog has shade and fresh water outside. A nicely trimmed yard with a shady corner is a happy place for them.
Let Ready 2 Mow Help
If you want a yard that looks good and still works for your dog, I'd love to help. I'm insured, I'm the owner and I do the work myself, and I haul away the yard debris when I'm done. I accept all payment types, and quotes are always free.
Call or text me at (727) 304-7803, or fill out the free quote form and I'll get back to you. Thanks for reading, and give your pup a pat for me!