Fixing up the back yard Advise Needed

[snooksbc]

Ok, this may sound kind of silly, but here goes. I have a senior dog (12 yr old rottie) and I live in a townhouse with a very small fenced back yard. Because we get little or no sun in most of this area, we covered the back with decorative gravel. The old dog just hates the feel of the gravel on his feet and refuses to use that area for bathroom needs. We have been walking him about a block for him to go to the bathroom but these days he just won't get up and go in the morning or evening. We were thinking of redoing some of the back yard for him to use, but because it is so wet and gets no sun we are at a loss to think of what to put down. Grass won't grow, sand he will track in the house. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Bev:)

[Roscoe's dad]

Maybe pea gravel won't bother his feet as much.

[Aegis]

Ditto on the pea gravel.

I used that for the "potty yard" in California and nobody had a problem using it or getting adjusted to it.

[JD102175]

What about grass that thrives in little to no sun? There are some that are like that. I'd call a gardening center and ask them about different grasses and see if they have any suggestions for you.

Jaime

[bliss7373]

A neighbour of mine had his little backyard area covered with a type of flooring, almost- it looks like teeny-tiny little rocks, suspended in a base of some sort. That is an awful description, sorry! He got it for his dogs, said it won't be hurt by the weather, has enough traction to be safe, easy to clean (they put a drain in the middle). I've seen commercials for the stuff- for garages, basements, decks, etc---maybe someone here can describe it better than me? I'm waiting to see how well the neighbour's lasts......

[SABELLESMOM]

:) (answered once before but it didn't come thru)

Try small cedar chips! Especially near the base of a tree if you have one, or the edge of the fence. Things are easily cleaned up and replaced. I've never seen any of ours tracked into the house.;)