14 DIY Small Outdoor Dog Potty Areas

If you’re tired of brown spots appearing on the lawn or garden, consider creating a small outdoor dog potty area.

Besides the aesthetics, the best part about having a dedicated porch potty for your dog is the hygiene aspect.

Getting this project done will also give your furry friend a private place to potty, especially those who mind doing their business in discreet places.

We have compiled 14 intelligent space-saving small dog potty areas outside to make your yard cleaner and give your furry friend a toileting area.

The best part? You don’t need a huge garden/backyard to get a good porch area for your dog. Read on to discover creative apartment balcony dog potty areas for city dwellers.

---

Common Materials for Outdoor Dog Potty Areas

Here’s a list of the common materials you may need, depending on the project, to make a DIY small outdoor dog potty area outside.

Most of these materials can be found at your local hardware but you can also use the links attached to deliver them to your doorstep.

• Treated lumber
• Wood screws
• Landscape fabric
• Pegboard
• Pea gravel
• River rock or drainage stones
• Potting soil
• Sod or artificial turf
• Plastic tray or liner
• Plastic crates or grates
• Zip ties
• Disinfectant cleaner

Tools You Might Need

The following are some of the common woodworking and gardening tools you may need to make small dog areas in backyard.

• Measuring tape
• Shovel
• Rake
• Scissors
• Utility knife
• Power drill
• Hose or watering can

---

14 DIY Small Outdoor Dog Potty Area

1. Mulch-Filled Balcony Porch Potty for Dogs

What You Need

• Tarp (grey or brown)
• Pressure-treated 2 x 4
• Pressure-treated 1 x 4
• Mulch
• Shovel or rake
• Trash can with lid
• Poop bags
• Spray bottle with white vinegar

Instructions

1. Cut a tarp a little bit bigger than you would like the area of the potty space to be.
2. Place the tarp down where the potty area will be, tucking the edges under the railings or walls.
3. Wedge the 2 x 4 firmly in the middle of the area’s width to secure one side of the tarp.
4. Position the 1 x 4 on the outer edge to prevent mulch from moving or falling off the balcony.
5. Shovel the mulch onto the tarp and spread it evenly over the surface to make a cushion-like layer.
6. Put a covered trash container nearby and collect trash daily in tied trash bags.
7. Spray lightly with white vinegar on a daily or every two-day basis to minimize odor over time.

---

2. Budget-Friendly Real Grass Toilet in a Bread Crate

What You Need

• Bread crate (approx. 66cm x 56cm)
• Plastic liner or bag
• 25L bag of organic soil
• Roll of turf grass
• Scissors
• Watering can or hose

Instructions

1. Line a bread crate with a big plastic bag and make a few holes in the bottom for drainage.
2. Add a half-bag of soil and evenly spread it over the bottom of the crate.
3. Position the turf roll at one side and unroll it across the ground, tamping softly to hold it firmly.
4. Use scissors and trim any surplus turf so it will fit neatly in the crate.
5. Water the lawn thoroughly upon installation and make sure all sections are wet.
6. Continue watering every day so the grass stays fresh and lasts longer.

---

3. DIY Real Grass Deck Potty for Recovering Dogs

What You Need

• 1 peg board (4 x 4 inches)
• 2 pieces of 2 x 4 x 96 inches lumber
• Durable plastic sheeting or large plastic bags
• 2 bags of potting soil
• 2 rolls of sod
• Staple gun
• Optional: Hose attachment for indoor sink
• Optional: Small potted plant

Instructions

1. Put the peg board on a level surface on your deck and completely cover it with plastic sheeting.
2. Hold the plastic in position by stapling it or tucking it firmly under the pegboard.
3. Construct a border around the pegboard with the 2 x 4s and secure them well so they hold the soil in place.
4. Pour two full bags of soil spread evenly over the surface of the plastic-coated pegboard.
5. Unroll the lawn over the ground and trim away any surplus grass so it sits snugly inside the form.
6. Add a small plant in the corner if necessary to make the area attractive and inviting for males as well.
7. Water the sod every day through a hose or sprayer to nourish the grass and drain away waste.

---

4. Pea Gravel Dog Potty with Built-in Drainage

What You Need

• Landscape edging
• Weed barrier fabric
• Base layer rock
• Pea gravel
• Shovel
• Rake

Instructions

1. Select a level portion of your lawn and define it with an edging material to contain the gravel.
2. Securely set the edging by pressing it firmly into the earth or by digging a shallow trench.
3. Lay the weed barrier fabric over the area to prevent grass or weeds from sprouting through.
4. Spread a one-inch layer of crushed stone on top of the fabric for added drainage.
5. Scatter pea gravel on top of the stone and rake it out so it’s spread evenly about a depth of about three inches.
6. If necessary, install stepping stones to the space for a cleaner route in wet weather conditions.

---

5. Rolling Wooden Dog Loo with Real Grass

What You Need

• Precut Merbau decking wood
• Wire mesh panel
• Weed control mat
• Garden soil (2 x 25L bags)
• Fresh turf slab
• 4 swivel caster wheels with brakes
• 40mm timber screws
• 15mm button head screws
• Drill and drill bit
• Hose or watering can

Instructions

1. Lay out the wood pieces to form a rectangle and visualize the base structure before assembly.
2. Drill pilot holes and screw together the long and short wood pieces to create a solid frame.
3. Add additional supporting pieces at the base for added stability and secure them in position.
4. Attach a wheel to each corner using button head screws, making sure each one is secure.
5. Put the wire mesh in the frame and then add the weed mat on top so the soil will be kept in place.
6. Fill the box with garden soil and level it evenly using your hands or a flat tool.
7. Spread out the turf slab over the soil and trim it where necessary to fit snugly within the frame.
8. Water the grass thoroughly and maintain daily watering to make the grass odorless and healthy.

---

6. DIY Garden Dog Potty Area

What You Need

• Breeze blocks
• Ready-mix mortar
• Weed membrane
• Topsoil (or reuse from the garden)
• Artificial grass
• Outdoor stakes
• Spirit level
• Optional: Copper piping
• Optional: Large rocks
• Odourfresh Pet Disinfectant

Instructions

1. Clear and level the area where you’re going to put the dog toilet so it’s accessible but not visible.
2. Lay a few millimeters of mortar on the ground and between the breeze blocks as you construct a single-layer wall.
3. Use a spirit level to maintain each block level and straight; add copper pipes or rocks if necessary for drainage.
4. Once the wall has dried out, fill the space thus enclosed by topsoil or well-draining soil from somewhere in your garden.
5. Lay down the weed membrane on the soil to prevent the growth of weeds through the artificial grass.
6. Lay artificial grass on top of the membrane and fix it in position using outdoor stakes.
7. Clean the area regularly, using pet-friendly disinfectant for odor and hygiene maintenance.

---

7. Gravel Dog Toilet Box with Built-In Drainage

What You Need

• Pressure-treated 2 x 6 lumber (3 pieces)
• 3″ outdoor wood screws
• Charcoal fiberglass screen
• River pebbles
• Pea pebbles
• Shovel and rake
• Screwdriver or power drill
• Saw

Instructions

1. Select a level area or level the space where the box will be placed and clear it of any plants and roots.
2. Assemble the 2 x 6 lumber by cutting and screwing it together in a rectangular shape according to the size you desire for your space.
3. Lay out screen material on the ground within the box and make holes if necessary for trees or drain features.
4. Add a layer of river pebbles about 1.5 inches deep and level it out evenly with a rake for drainage.
5. Add another screen layer so the two types of rocks do not mix later on.
6. Spread pea pebbles on top to create a firm walking surface; rake level and even out.
7. Test the drainage and see how your dog adjusts; tweak the material on the top layer if necessary for comfort.

---

8. DIY Apartment Balcony Dog Potty

What You Need

• Two 6″ x 8′ wood beams
• One 1″ x 8′ wood beam
• Scrap sheet of pressboard
• 3 ft of linoleum
• Linoleum glue
• Tub caulk
• Screws
• Plastic fluorescent light grate
• Artificial turf
• 4 ft of drain tubing
• Drill
• Circular saw

Instructions

1. Cut the wooden beams of your preferred size for the potty and screw them together to create a frame.
2. Cut the press board so it will fit inside the frame and secure it at a slight angle on the 1×1 supports.
3. Bore a drain hole at the bottom corner, through which urine will be drained through the tubing.
4. Cut and glue down the linoleum onto the board and sides, and around the drain hole as well.
5. Seal all seams and edges with tub caulk; dry for 24-48 hours to make it watertight.
6. Cut the plastic grate so that it will fit inside the frame and thus maintain the turf above the layer of drainage.
7. Put artificial turf on top of the grate and align the drain tube so it directs liquid toward a drain point.

---

9. DIY Dog Potty Area Apartments

What You Need

• Reusable plastic produce containers
• Artificial grass
• Dog pee pads
• Strong scissors
• Thin rope
• Optional: Artificial bush

Instructions

1. Clean the plastic containers and rope them together; invert them and use them as a base.
2. Position the containers on top of the artificial grass and trim the grass around the respective container surface area.
3. Make small punctures in the grass, put the rope through them, and fasten it at the bottom so it’s tied to the containers.
4. For a male dog, attach an artificial bush by securing it via both the bush base and the grass patch.
5. Position a pee pad below the container framework so it will collect any liquid draining through.
6. Clean by putting the box in a shower, adding diluted cleaner, and rinsing well.

---

10. Real Grass Dog Potty with Drainage

What You Need

• Lumber
• Screws
• Pegboard
• Landscape fabric
• Potting or garden soil
• Sod rolls
• Pea gravel
• Power drill
• Shovel

Instructions

1. Select a size suited to your space. 4 x 4 ft works well as a starting size for the majority of balconies or patios.
2. Assemble the lumber by cutting and screwing it together in a square or rectangular shape; put it where you desire the area for the potty.
3. Add a layer of pea gravel inside the frame to form a dense base for drainage.
4. Lay the pegboard on top of the gravel in order to assist in separating ground and making cleanup easier; overlapping is acceptable.
5. Cover the pegboard with landscape fabric so that soil will not be washed through the holes.
6. Shovel potting soil evenly across the fabric, leveling it out to support the sod.
7. Cover the ground with sod and trim the edges as necessary, tamping it firmly down afterward.
8. Water the grass immediately and regularly to keep it healthy and odor-free.

---

11. Low-Maintenance Gravel “Pee Pit” for Dogs

What You Need

• Weed block cloth
• Pond pebbles or larger rocks
• Pea gravel or small decorative stones
• Measuring tape
• Scissors
• Shovel

Instructions

1. Select a level space and take measurements; a depth of 4 inches works well for a gravel layer.
2. Remove weeds and debris, and trim weed block fabric to the full width and length of the space.
3. Lay the base layer of fabric down to prevent plant growth and hold the gravel in place.
4. Pour a 2-inch layer of pebbles for adequate drainage and spread it around evenly with a shovel after leveling it.
5. Add a second layer of weed block to stop the upper layer from intermingling with the base.
6. Spread a 2-inch layer of pea gravel or small stones on top and distribute evenly.
7. Rinse occasionally with a hose to prevent odor and maintain the area’s cleanliness between rains.

---

12. DIY Dog Potty Area with Drainage

What You Need

• Plastic tray
• Metal grid panel
• Plastic crates with small holes
• Fake grass
• Zip ties
• Flat stones or panels
• Hacksaw
• Scissors
• Tape measure

Instructions

1. Determine where the potty will drain; if in the outdoors, put it close to a patio or yard drain.
2. Cut a small drain hole in a corner of the plastic tray using a hacksaw.
3. Place the metal grid on the tray and put plastic crates on top of it to form a smaller walking area.
4. Securely zip-tie the crates to the grid so they will not shift under your dog’s weight.
5. Cut the artificial turf to the right size and put it on top; secure it with zip ties if your installation faces the elements.
6. Support a side of the tray at a slight angle with stones or panels so it will slope toward the drain.
7. Clean regularly by hosing soapy water over the grass so it flows through the tray.

---

13. DIY Deck Dog Potty Area

What You Need

• A variety of real potted plants
• Clear plastic drip pans
• Utility trays
• Scissors or a drill

Instructions

1. Select a few actual plants your dog has shown a preference for outdoors in the past.
2. Use shallow plastic drip pans as planters and plant shallow-rooted varieties low enough for small dogs to access them easily.
3. Make a drainage hole or puncture drain holes through the pans so rainwater and urine will not accumulate and drown the plants.
4. Put the plant-laden pans on huge utility trays to contain any spills and shield the decking underneath.
5. Position the potty garden in a convenient area, easy enough to access from a bedroom or a back door.
6. Observe your dog’s behavior and interest, and determine what plants promote their use.
7. If this doesn’t work (like for the project author at first), put dirty grass or a familiar odor in the space to promote training.

---

14. Framed Balcony Dog Potty Box

What You Need

• 1 x 4 treated lumber
• Wood screws
• Power drill
• Measuring tape
• Landscape fabric
• Pea gravel
• Potting soil
• Fresh sod or artificial turf
• Optional: Pegboard
• Scissors
• Utility knife
• Shovel or trowel

Instructions

1. Mark out the area of your potty space using chalk; a 4 x 4-foot square will be suitable for most places.
2. Cut the lumber to the required size and screw the boards at right angles to construct a stable framework.
3. Lay landscape fabric over the earth or concrete to prevent weeds and facilitate draining.
4. Pour 3 – 4 inches of pea gravel into the bottom of the frame and spread it out in an even layer.
5. If peg board is being used, put it on top of the gravel for stabilizing layers above; trim pieces as necessary.
6. Add a second layer of landscape fabric on top of the gravel or peg board to prevent soil from mixing in.
7. Fill the container approximately two-thirds full of potting soil and level it off with your hand or a shovel.
8. Lay the sod or artificial grass on top of the soil and tamp it in firmly; finish the edges with a utility knife for a seamless fit.

---

Conclusion

Building a dedicated small outdoor dog potty area is one of the simplest ways to preserve your lawns and maintain sanitation in your garden, especially during potty training.

Garden dog potty areas provide your furry friends with clear destinations to potty and make cleanup very easy or automated in certain projects.

Several DIY ideas featured in our post also have built-in odor control, which helps preserve the atmosphere, especially for households with multiple pets.

If your garden or yard has no workable space, or if you live in an apartment, feel free to follow a plan that fits tiny spaces in your balcony or narrow side yards.

The beauty of these projects is that most of them require materials and tools that you may already have in your home.

Remember that most set-ups take a bit of effort upfront, and a few, like patches of real grass, will require ongoing maintenance.

Check out our post on creative dog run ideas backyard if you’re looking to transform a portion of your yard into an exciting run for your furry friend.

---

RELATED:

10 DIY Winter Dog Potty Shelters

13 Dig Pit for Dogs DIY Ideas to Build