Pet Loo: backyard in a box for an apartment-bound Fido

As much as your dog might enjoy using the entire city (or at least a few nearby blocks) as its own private bathroom, taking your little furry friend for a "walk" every time nature calls can sincerely put a crimp on that wannabe hermit lifestyle you've been working on. Luckily, the new Pet Loo from Australia allows your pet to do his thing in style and comfort -- and keeps you away from those nasty and dangerous human beings you might encounter during a stroll. The Synthetic Grass provides a familiar bathroom zone for your dog, but is easy to clean and resistant to smells. There's also a collection tray in the bottom of the unit for "liquids." We're sure your dog won't mind a bit more freedom in his bathroom schedule, and we're absolutely looking forward to a review from Unkie Walt -- with his newfound penchant for bathroom gadgetry.

[Via gizmag]

[peeved pet loo owner @ Apr 3rd 2008 9:50AM]

As an owner of a 4 month old puppy I thought this would be the perfect replacement for pads while training.

Couple of things:

1.) while the dog did use it, something to be said about the dog resting on it's own pee pad as well (there's even a screen shot of a dog resting on it on their web site)

2.) Cleaning really isn't that easy, the fake grass has some type of charcoal backing that gets all over the place when you remove it.

3.) For Apartment dwellers (which is what they advertise) is there really anything more disgusting then rinsing out a urine soaked pad, now having your bathtub caked in urine and charcoal bits?

Bottom line, yes it saved money on pads, but I'd rather pay for the pads then the inconvenience this thing causes.

[Dog Service Network @ Apr 17th 2008 3:55PM]

The Pet Loo is a great solution. Like a few of you have mentioned, pee kills grass and trying to create your own dog potty would be a hassle, because you would have to recreate one since it will eventually wear on you. With The Pet Loo, there are no replacement parts. It has perforated synthetic grass to allow urine drainage through a tray that's slanted and allows the urine to drain into a small catch bucket. All you need to do is to remove the bucket by pulling it out with the handle and dump it down the toilet.

It's a green and cost effective solution. With wee wee pads, you're polluting the environment. Using The Pet Loo is cost effective, because you don't need to buy replacement parts.

If you're interested in finding out where you can get one, please e-mail [e-mail] and for more information, visit: www.dogservicenetwork.com

[sales @ Apr 17th 2008 3:56PM]

Also, there are no charcoal bits as the bottom of the synthetic grass is rubber.

[Bakkies's Mum @ Nov 16th 2008 4:44PM]

Does anyone know how to train their dog to get all the way up on the Pet Loo? My 6 month old pup is 100% trained to going to his Pet Loo, but he only ever puts his front legs up onto it to wee, while going all the way up onto it for poos. I've no idea how to teach him to get all the way up for his wees... cleaing wee from under it instead of in it is driving me to distraction!

[spil @ Aug 28th 2006 10:32PM]

This is a really great idea, but how you would train your dog to do his business in it? I'm sure this would be greatonce the dog learned how to use it, though.

[RWD fan @ Aug 28th 2006 8:27PM]

Wanna do the same thing and not have to send off to Australia for it?
Go borrow a bread rack from the back of the local grocery store (or make your own tray). Toss down a layer of gravel on the rack (for decent drainage). Layout a couple rolls of sod from the home store on top of the gravel. Water once in a while. When it becomes too soiled replace sod, it's cheap. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[Reg @ Aug 28th 2006 8:44PM]

Luck for me, my little Rat Terrier doesn't need something like this. He can go anywhere...under the table, behind the couch, in the closet. He's not picky and neither are most dogs.

How useless! What a piece of crap (pun intended).

[Ryan Waddell @ Aug 28th 2006 8:47PM]

Or you could, you know, train your dog. My guy gets by just fine with his twice daily walking schedule.

[rip @ Aug 28th 2006 9:18PM]

This is incredibly old news. They have had these for years in L.A.

[navamske @ Aug 28th 2006 10:04PM]

And the Pet Loo costs how many quatloos?

[gromitron @ Aug 28th 2006 10:36PM]

I had something called Second Nature, it was a litterbox for dogs when I lived in an apt. on a very high floor. Having a new puppy I thought it was a great idea. Training was easy, he took to it right away, well actually he learned to put his front legs in the box and pee/poop on the floor.

[Ken C. @ Aug 28th 2006 10:44PM]

Hm, it talks about dog's taking a wee on this; no mention of poop. You need to solve both problems, I think...

[Peter @ Aug 28th 2006 11:30PM]

I hear they plan on coming out with some add-ons for the Pet Loo, including a fire hydrant and telephone pole. This way your little doggie can do it with style, doggie style.

[Rkt @ Aug 28th 2006 11:49PM]

This was featured on an Australian show where new ideas are brought forward to a pannel of judges, who gauge it's worth to the market.
It costs AUD$449.99. Your dog can do both pee and poop on it. You have to clean out the collection tray everyday. the grass is synthetic as well. So basically it's just a plastic tray with fake grass.

[Greg @ Aug 29th 2006 2:56AM]

We have some Petapottys for our dogs.

http://www.petapotty.com/

It seems like an identical product made in California, not Australia.

[doggoneit @ Aug 29th 2006 9:17AM]

Cheap solution.
Parts:
1) storage bin the size of a door matt and about 4" deep. Cut one end so it is easy for dog to walk in.
2) get pet pee-pad and place in bottom
3) get a grid light diffuser and cut to size and place on top of pet pad (keeps dog from ripping up pad) allows drainage.
4) get fake grass plastic door matt. roll up tight and use a 1/4" drill bit and drill several holes through the roll (allows drainage) and place as the top layer.
5) get a "sample" of dogs business (both types) and place in box.
6) Training: Use the kennel approach. Create a confined space. Plaec bed, water, food, bathroom box in space just big enough for those items. Put the dog in the box and commend all the while commending or giving treats. Leave the dog in the that area anytime you are not with/watching the dog. They won't use the bathroom on their bed, food, or water. Only place to go is the box. It takes about a week, but it will work.

[Gordy @ Aug 29th 2006 9:30AM]

Umm, I guess you all don't have dogs...or lawns..or dogs that have 'looed' on lawns.

Dog pee kills grass...too much nitrogen in urine which acts like a high-octane fertilizer. Burns every blade of grass touched--not to mention the surrounding area once the ground has saturated. This thing will be a sand box a week after the first 'watering'.

[Joe Schmoe @ Aug 29th 2006 11:51AM]

Bah! Get some incotinence bed pads (used in nursing homes - plastic backed paper pads that look like a two foot square flat diaper).

Cheap and perfect for the job and nothing to clean up - just throw in the trash and put a new one down.

Our [little] dog gets up & goes poo on it's own just like a cat.

[Andrew @ Aug 29th 2006 12:52PM]

We have two beagles that are litter box trained. It makes it nice because you don't have to make sure you are home to let them out. They can go whenever the need strikes. Then when we let them outside for some exercise, they still know it's OK to go outside.

[Jake @ Aug 31st 2006 12:57AM]

This is BRILLENT! I have one and my dog took to it without a problem. The grass replicates real grass a natural place for pets to go to the toilet, the drainage system works wonders and is so easy to clean - I fetch a hose to it and boom, i'm in business again.

It has saved me, my place and the dog... well worth the investment!

[Joel @ Aug 31st 2006 1:14AM]

I have tried them all and the ONLY one that worked is

www.thepetloo.com

This works a treat for my pups... They go on it EXCLUSIVLY and the way in which the liquid drains away (in stead of sitting there) is genius.

As for numbers 2’s (yes the poo) they scoop off like they would in a normal backyard only the benefit with The Pet Loo is that there is nothing to kill unlike real grass.

Light, easy to move (in doors on rainy days) etc.

Put simply…. A total Solution!

[Dave @ Sep 8th 2006 3:45PM]

I have 2 APBTs and like Gordy says dog urine can kill the lawn it has to do with the PH levels. I have tried all the different pills needless to say the do not work. I mentioned this to their Vet and he said " It is not a good thing to give them those pills because it messes with the PH in their system and can cause future problems with their health.. ie. kidney and liver problems." Since then I have found something that WORKS. I talked to a local Landscaper about this, he told me he was having the same problem so he did some investigating and found out that GYPSUM helped keep the grass from dying off. Here is waht you do, purchase GYPSUM at a local Nursery,($5.00/40lbs bag), pre treat the dead areas with 1/2 cup over each area water regularly(1" a week) and after 2 weeks remove the dead grass, and reseed. The remainder of the lawn gets treated once a month every month(unless snow covered)with a spreader and the lawn will come back and you will have no problems.The GYPSUM neutralizes the urine but you have to keep up with every month.It worked wonders for me and I have the nicest lawn on the block. It is worth the time effort and money.

[Carmel Hahn @ Oct 1st 2009 9:19PM]

We purchased the pet loo when it first came onto the market (only one size initially). We have noticed the quality of the "grass" is no where near as good as when it first came out. It comes apart very early on and shreds constantly. The replacement grass is expensive and it seems value for money is not a consideration. Living in an apartment it is a very good option but the quality needs to improve.