Buzz
If you reside in a city with a tiny backyard or live in a condo/apartment with a balcony, you might seek a fast method for your dog to relieve themselves without trekking to a distant grassy spot. We have an enjoyable and straightforward solution for you—a DIY outdoor potty area! This uncomplicated solution will save you plenty of time when you're in a hurry but need to let your dog out, and it's also an excellent aid if you're house-training your puppy. Continue reading to discover how to construct a basic potty area for your furry friend.
Steps
Selecting and Measuring the Location
Decide where to construct your dog’s potty area. If your dog isn't fussy, pick a spot where the potty won't be in the way. Opting for a shaded area may be preferable if it's hot where you reside. If your dog isn't fussy, pick a spot where the potty won't be in the way.
- Does your dog prefer privacy when using the bathroom? If so, place your potty area in the most secluded part of your yard.
- If your dog has a preferred spot on the concrete patio/yard for going to the bathroom, build your potty area there.
- Consider the slope and drainage of the area. If a section of the concrete is tilted toward your home, you might end up with urine flowing towards your back door.
Determine the desired size for the potty area. Aim for a potty area of at least 4 by 4 feet (1.2 by 1.2 m) to provide ample space for your dog to explore, but feel free to adjust the size as needed. For larger breeds, consider doubling or even tripling the size.
- It's not necessary for the potty area to be square-shaped. If your yard is deep but not particularly wide, consider a 4 by 8 ft (1.2 by 2.4 m) potty area, for instance.
Outline the potty area dimensions with chalk to guide your frame construction. Utilize a measuring tape to determine your dimensions. For precision (though it's not crucial), use a chalk line with the assistance of a friend to mark each line. Alternatively, sketch out your box with chalk freehand.
- For freehand drawing, employ a straight edge like a spirit level or a plank of wood to mark straight lines.
- If working alone, use small objects such as cans or pots to mark the four corners of your potty area and keep track of dimensions.
Building the Frame
If your wood boards aren't pre-cut, trim them to the required size. Purchase treated lumber boards measuring 1 by 4 in (25 by 102 mm). You can either have them pre-cut at the hardware store or cut them yourself using a circular saw or using a jigsaw. Place your boards on sawhorses, mark the cuts with a pencil, and wear protective eyewear before making the cuts.
- For a simpler option with an industrial appearance, stack cinder blocks instead of cutting wood boards.
- If lumber isn't your preference, consider rubber landscape edging. Opt for the firmer type suitable for concrete backyards, as the softer variety can't be buried in grass.
- Any weather- or pressure-treated wood should suffice for this purpose. Avoid plywood, as it tends to absorb moisture and deteriorate quickly.
Use a drill and wood screws to fasten the boards together securely. Choose wood screws of sufficient length to penetrate through the thinner side of the boards (2 in (5.1 cm) wood screws are suitable). Position the thin end of the longest board inside the adjacent board at a 90-degree angle. Drive at least 2 screws through the adjacent board and into the center of the longer board to join them securely.
- Repeat this process for the remaining sides to form the box-shaped frame.
- No need for the frame to be excessively reinforced; it won't bear enough weight to collapse, and any damage would be easily repairable.
Position the frame and reinforce it with hinges if needed. Once you've built the frame, place it over the designated area outlined with chalk. If the frame feels unstable and requires additional support, attach four pieces of flashing to the lumber walls inside the frame using screws. This reinforcement will help maintain the frame's integrity over time.
- Although it may seem basic initially, once filled, it will appear much more appealing. To enhance its appearance, consider lining the exterior of the frame with decorative rocks!
Filling the Potty Area
If your concrete has cracks, lay down landscape fabric. Landscape fabric is commonly used in raised beds to prevent weed growth. Lay the fabric over the cracked areas of your concrete to keep the potty area free of weeds. Cut the landscape fabric to fit using scissors before filling the potty area.
- This popular landscape fabric from Colorful Hope should suffice for your needs.
- If your concrete is crack-free or you're not concerned about weeds, feel free to skip this step.
Add a base layer of pea gravel to fill the potty area one-third of the way. Pour the gravel into the frame and spread it out by hand until the bottom third of the potty area is covered. The gravel will facilitate drainage of your dog's urine, preventing accumulation over time.
- To determine the required amount of pea gravel, multiply the frame's length by its width to calculate the area. Approximately 0.5 cubic feet (0.014 m3) of pea gravel will cover 6 square feet (0.56 m2). For most potty areas, two bags should be sufficient.
- You can find a variety of pea gravel options online or at gardening and building supply stores.
Place a sheet of pegboard over the pea gravel (optional). Purchase an inexpensive sheet of wooden pegboard from a home improvement store and lay it on top of the pea gravel. This will prevent the gravel from shifting and provide ample drainage through the pegboard holes.
- You may choose to skip this step, but it could result in more frequent shifting of the topsoil. For larger dogs or those prone to digging, using pegboard is advisable.
- If a single pegboard doesn't fit the frame, you can cut multiple pieces to size using a circular saw or jigsaw. Alternatively, consider purchasing smaller panels and arranging them side by side.
Place landscape fabric over the pegboard and/or pea gravel. Adding another layer of landscape fabric will prevent mixing between the topsoil and pea gravel. This allows urine to drain through while maintaining aeration. Cut the fabric to fit the potty area's size and lay it over the gravel.
- Don't worry about its appearance as it will be concealed.
- If concerned about your dog digging into the topsoil and damaging the fabric, line the edges with small, heavy stones.
Fill another third of the potty area with potting soil. Visit your local gardening store and purchase basic potting soil. Any inexpensive option will suffice, so there's no need to overspend. Use a trowel or your hands to evenly distribute the soil across the designated area.
Cover the potting soil with fresh sod or artificial turf. You have flexibility at this stage. For a natural look, buy fresh sod rolls from a gardening store and lay them over the soil. Alternatively, opt for artificial turf for convenience.
- You can use a utility knife to cut excess sod or artificial turf.
- Consider specialized artificial grass like MTBRO's artificial dog grass for superior quality.
- If your dog prefers gravel or sand, use that instead of soil or turf. You can even create a hybrid area with half soil and half gravel or stone.
- After laying fresh sod, water it immediately to help it settle.
Tips
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Introduce the potty area gradually to your pup and reward them with treats after using it to encourage continued use.
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While the potty area offers a quick relief option, ensure your pup still receives regular walks for exercise and mental stimulation.
Materials Needed
- Measuring tape
- Chalk
- Pencil (optional)
- Circular saw or jigsaw (optional)
- Sawhorses (optional)
- 1 by 4 in (2.5 by 10.2 cm) Wood boards
- Drill
- Wood screws
- Flashing (optional)
- Pea gravel
- Landscape fabric
- Potting soil
- Sod, artificial grass, or stones
