40 - North Shore News — Sunday, December 3, 2000 Save yo “I§ it true,” asked a voice behind me, “..that a female dog’s urine is different than a male dog’s urine?” The question caught me off guard, as I was waist deep in winter foliage at a local gardening store, and dogs were the last thing on my mind. 1 shook my head quickly; making sure it was- ata voice in my head then waited a moment to see if I might hear it again. Sure enough, the voice “piped up again. ioe ‘RT: K VANCOUVE canine connection T curned around to see a woman behind me with her arms full of winter cabbage and a worried expression on her face. “My husband won't let PETS ——— r lawn from the my Sasha in the yard because her pee is ruining the grass.” she said, woetully. I smiled sympathetically at her and placed my butbs at my feet. Then | explained that the physiological design of female dogs is part of the problem, but so is the lawn itself. Legend has it that female dog urine is more acidic than that of male dogs, therefore their pee is more damaging to lawns. This is nothing but an urban myth. The real culprit responsible for those ugly brown rings in the lawn is the concentration and vol- ume of urine (nitrogen con- tent), not the level of pH. Unlike male dogs, which lift their leg and direct their urine up high, female dogs squat when they urinate. And wher they squat, they deposit a large volume of urine in one spot on the grass. Female dogs, like males, also mark territory, by returning to the same spots topee, Unfortunately for the gals, these spots are usually on grass. This in turn, increases the concentration of urine in these areas that creates a burn mark over time. The damaging effects of male urine is not as signifi- cant because it is usually squirted out in little bits here and there high on bush- ¢s, signposts and tree bases. How the lawn is responsi- ble could be due to the type of ‘grass in the lawn, how well the lawn drains as well _as the level of nitrogen in the soil. Certain types of grass » such as perennial ryegrass -and fescue are more resistant -: to urine; they may be able to... tolerate hi gher concentra- ~ tions and’ volume of nitrogen that is present in urine. Grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass, however, seem to be more |. sensitive to urine concentra- tion. If the soil is dry or docs not drain well, the urine may . not be able to leach away se wel spots effectively. Therefore it remains concentrated in one spot and kills the grass. If a lawn is already high in nitrogen due to commer- cial fertilizer, urine, which is typically rich in nitrogen, will create burn spots because of nitrogen over- load. So what can be done to keep a pristine lawn and the little missy? One solution would be to create a special area where she or even he, can do their business and teach them to only use that spot. It should be made of mulch or pea gravel for drainage. A mark- ing post such as a large rock or cedar post should be installed for the boys. Teaching means monitor- ing the dog for a few weeks and bringing the dog to the designated area every time it. is in the yard to do its busi- ness. If training is not possible,” then simply diluting the -urine spot with water imme- ° diately after the dog has gone can help. : So Sasha can come-out of the dog hous and onto the lawn, because it’s not so much what she Pees but how. she pees. « A special thanks to The» Grass Man for all their infor- = “ mation. — Joan is the owner of Sierra K9 training. For training tips or questions, e-mail her at . -.. The’ News welcomes comments in the form of a letter to the edi- tor. . Without your “help, children like Matthew r. will have nowhere to tum this Christmas. Yes, there really i isa need on the North Shore. With y your donation of food and toys to the : "North Vancouver Christmas Bureau” : West Vancouver Santa Claus Fund: “-we can help Matthew's family. es ‘Ingredients fora ‘Holiday dinner - “© Pood certificate "Please give generously “Working from Christmas to Christmas’ Pets welcome ° a id to visit THE holidays are a wonderful time to visit with friends and family and to spread good ; cheer — no matter what your faith, or species, Every . year around this time West Vancouver veteri- .. . narians Dr. Joel Parker and - Dr. Pauline Chow and the’ staff of the Animal Medical Hospital throw a seasonal cel-. - S ebration. They invite all their patients, their patients’ human families, plus friends~ and-. neighbours. Creatures with all -:: manner of fur and feathers are’ welcome: dogs, cats, birds, : and others. This year’s annual: Open - House Christmas Celebration takes place today from 1} a.m. until. 3 p.m. and will includ . bobbing for rurkey and chick-. en * wieners, .. pictures. with Santa Claus, hospital. tours, refreshments anda ‘drop-off for the SPCA food. bank. The . Animal: .-Medical : Hospital is located at 2459 A: - Bellevue Ave. .: : att : - Pets c can also get ‘their pic: _ ture snapped with Santa at th _ Pet Food N’ More at Park and’ Tilford on. Saturday, Dec. from’1] am. untl 4° p.m ‘ Photos are $10, and ‘proceeds : fod to Canadian Guide: Dog the Blind.) : ae Deana Lancaster «Fruit pitices, tea 6 coffee. . « Pastas, F108, SAUCES, a Ce cookies pac cnr ton Ma) : » White Spot ted. (North Shore Locations