mulch ? Cedar chip? or what? thoughts needed.
 

Ok so 3 months ago, I moved into my first own house since my husband passing away 4 years ago. and i have a yard and fenced it in I also have a 200x 40 run for the dogs to do there business in.. it was all mud and weeds so me thinking im some sort of genius decided to have 7 yards of smooth river stone delivered and layed it in there run.. Well they hate it.. its like they are walking on eggshells in there and I feel like an idiot and created a torture chamber in there potty house.. LOL So today I will be out there shoveling rocks and i need another source of flooring.. i dont want concrete padding.. be to expensive for me.. Any suggestions? something reasonably priced and will keep mud factor down ???? and easy to clean up there stuff LOL?? and most of all comfortable for them to walk on?

rock dust? sand? etc?

I've seen Pebbles used a lot.

A couple inches of smooth rocks is good for drainage

What is wrong with using some good sod?

Keep the bigger rocks and add pea gravel. That's what my back yard is.

Gotta get more tho...

---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:33 PM ----------

won't last long.

So I should put smaller crushed rock or something over it?? I feel like a bad dog owner to see them going so slow. the rock i have is smooth river rock but its not like pea size its larger more like golf ball or alittle smaller.. the drainage is great and its easy to keep clean and free of flies.. I throw ridx down and once a week spray with odorban.. but just feel like they are miserable.. like they are walking on glass. LOL.. thanks for all the tips tho.. kinda glad i dont need to remove it cause its like 5inches thick.. and the sod thing would never go.. the urine would prob kill it..

Not crushed rock, that's sharp.
Use, Uh... pea gravel

I've used chipped cedar in my kennals before and have been less than impressed with it. I still keep some around because I have a ready supply and it helps cut down on mud. Mu problem with it is that it makes cleanup difficult as the waste can sort of blend in. On the plus side a good deep bed of cedar chips is great fun for a dog that likes to dig. Cedar is supposed to keep fleas away but I didn't notice that it did when I had it in all my kennels.

---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 AM ----------

I would like the idea of big rocks as a base for a.place that has a drainage problem and smaller gravel over top.

This. Pea gravel or sand, over the rocks you already have.



That's one thing I love about living in the country and not walking my dogs on pavement.. they have tough feet! haha

It definitely sounds like a good base to just throw something else over it!

I would do sand or pea gravel, I want so bad to make my entire yard pea gravel but its not my house so don't want to do anything to the yard

I actually live in the mountains of NJ most people think NJ is all city but i live with the bears literally. LOL Im hoping Tyes feet toughen up, Some of his pads are still alittle pink... thank you all for the tips.. guess i'll be ordering some pea gravel this weekend.. and If im not on the forum at all everyone will know I am in shovel and wheel barrel mode.. Yay Me!!!!

Go with pea rock. Just put it on top of the bigger stone, that you already have down. Do not use, mulch, sod or cedar chips over top. It will make a big mess and smell.

And some dogs will eat it...http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/tongue.png

Oh, I didn't even notice your thing said you live in NJ http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/lol.gif How old is Tye?



If I put sod down, it would quickly go from the potty area to the grazing area http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/rolleyes.png lol

LOL.. Tye is i believe between 6 and 7 months.. cant be exact when i got him he was between 8 and 11 weeks i believe.. he still has alot of pink on his pads and around his mouth and some still in his ears.. his belly has turned dark over the last month.. oh and it will def be a grazing area for Tye who loves to eat anything green or flying bees are his favorite appetizer.. LOL I love this site.. you all have so much to offer. So thank you everyone...

Wait! Are all puppy pads pink? I'm such a moron! I just figured Leo's were because he is white!! I'll be so sad when they change!

LOL not all dogs have pink pads.. My Rotties never did.. and your not a moron lol.. I was sad when Tye's belly got dark lol.. Its like you own child growing up lol how old is Leo?

My dogs all had pink pads as pups. I just figured all pups had pink pads because they were shiny and new. Not worn in yet, lol. Ike's and Renee's pads are still pink. Renee just turned 1 and Ike is about to be 4. I guess some dogs keep pink pads and some turn dark.