Lawn Service

[Mikro]

We have a lawn service due to start soon. Is that a bad idea for a puppy/dog to go on? The stuff they will be putting down first is a preemergent. The rest are just fertilizers.
They are all the granular type.

[johnwa]

Here are two ongoing threads directly related to your issue:
<a href = "http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/forums/showthread.php?t=254">thread</a>
<a href = "http://www.topgoldenretrieversites.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5448">thread</a>

[Seamus' Mom]

Usually the lawn services will tell you to keep your dog off of a treated lawn for 24-48 hours. I would definitely follow that advice. They are toxic chemicals and dogs spend a lot of time sniffing at ground level so they'd really be getting a potent dose. Think about it...would you go up and intentionally inhale pesticides or fertilizer yourself? Dogs don't know any better, so you have to eliminate the opportunity for them.

I've also seen a lot of people speculate that the increased rates of some kinds of cancer (like hemangiosarcoma, etc.) in goldens could be linked to chemicals like this. I don't know if there is any evidence for it, but wouldn't take the chance.

[Tahnee GR]

Years ago, there was an article in the GRCA News linking liver cancer to chemicals used in lawns and on golf courses. It is so long ago that I cannot find it.

The lawn companies will tell you that "their" products are not harmful, but I just do not believe them. In fact, I will not sell a puppy to anyone who uses a fertilizing/weed control lawn service.

Anecdotally, the only cases of liver cancer I have seen, were in dogs whose yards were chemically treated. There was one exception, and as I spoke with the gentleman, I was very puzzled, since I had never seen liver cancer that was not accompanied by a lawn service. Finally, he did say that he ran his dog daily on a local golf course and let him swim in the pond-mystery solved! Golf courses don't look that good on their own, and of course the run off is going into the ponds and creeks that flow through them. For us, who are so much taller, not so much a problem but dogs love to sniff and chew things they pick up.

Bottom line-forget the lawn service-it is just not worth it.

Linda
Tahnee Golden Retrievers

[SamK]

Our previous Golden died of cancer. Although we never used anything on her yard, all my reading after she was gone cautioned heavily against using any chemicals.

That being said, I'm amazed anyone with a Golden (or two) has a yard worth having serviced.

Sam

[CaynCher]

We only have the yard cut by lawn service. We do not use any chemicals or apply fertilizer either so the dogs are safe if they go out there with me. I do not let them run in areas where chemicals have been used. They stay on cemented or asphalted areas when on strange territory for their walks. Since walking on, breathing, possibly eating, from areas treated with chemicals may eventually cause cancer, why take that risk.

:dogbark :reddogx