Lawn substitutions for yard with active dogs

Question

We have two active Collies and they are destroying the lawn. I don't like grass that much, and it's not holding up to the abuse, even though it's supposed to be a high traffic grass. They are not digging, only running and jumping. Is there a good plant substitution or a special type of grass that will hold up better? I live in North Idaho in zone 5a/6b. We are semi-arid and the soil is hard. Very sloped yard, so losing turf is sliding mud in the spring and fall into the yard. I am thinking of putting in landscape flexible cells to keep the erosion down, but would like suggestions of vegetation to keep the dirt in place and keep the paws clean.

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 01 '18 at 19:23

If dogs are allowed on the grass during fall through to spring, it usually turns into a mud bath; even flexible landscape cells filled with grass will still be wrecked by the dogs running and jumping activities during those times.

Since you clearly don't want to keep the dogs off the grass, have you considered artificial turf? There are some very natural looking ones around now, and provided its laid properly and professionally in the first place, it shouldn't move even on a slope. The only things I've noticed with it have been the fact that it crunches when you walk on it, like frosted grass does, and it can get very, very hot in summer if you get hot summers, depends where you are. It can be cleaned, and any dog mess should be cleared and hosed off as soon as possible. Otherwise, hot items such as barbecue coals will burn it, so its not good too near a barbeque. On the plus side, it never needs mowing, always looks green and doesn't get muddy... one supplier's information here https://www.synlawn.com - if you do consider it, ask for samples of the turf.

stormy · Answer 2 · 2018-04-01T20:33:14.003

I know North Idaho, well. Dogs plus slope is tough to see success. There is another option. Provide the dogs their own paddock or dog run. Cultivate a separate lawn for dog play perhaps another for human play or additional paddock to add relief to the first paddock. We do this with horses...

Makes a far more interesting landscape than one seen at a glance from the backdoor. Heavily planted peninsulas can substitute for fencing. Boulder retaining walls placed to look natural. You should be thinking about terracing a bit to create outdoor rooms that feel and look stable?