shaded back yard with dogs | should we use decomposed granite?

by Jamie Wallace
(Culver City, CA)

Here's a question about a shaded backyard for dogs and if decomposed granite is a good solution.

Hello,
We have three large breed dogs who have their own yard. It is partially shaded and somewhat compacted part clay soil. The dogs have worn or peed away all of the grass and it is 99% dirt, mud in the wet. The yard is flat, with two sections on either side of a concrete walk way. The dimensions are 30' x 8' and 12' x 11'

What can we put down as a surface that the dogs will be comfortable on, that we can clean up, and will keep them from tracking mud into the house?

We live in west side of Los Angeles. We are thinking of decomposed granite with some grass areas. Please let us know if you think this will work.

And unfortunately, we need to do this on a budget.

Thank you,
Jamie Wallace

ANSWER

Hi Jamie,
I think the decomposed granite will work, especially if you use the Loose DG. Due to heavy dog use and elimination, it will have to be replenished periodically, but it is relatively inexpensive. See my page on Decomposed Granite.

Since the areas are flat, there is no runoff, so you might as well go with the least costly. You can add a grassy area to the larger section, but it will be relatively small, will get a lot of use, and therefore you will probably end up in the same situation you are now in...a poor, muddy lawn. I would use the DG in the entire area.

This method will also have the best percolation.