Anyway to keep my dog lot from turning completely to dirt?

[chizdad]

The new house that I am moving to soon is a nice chunk of land, about an acre. I want to build a dog lot for my German Shepard puppy for when he gets older. However I don't want that lot to turn into nothing but dirt. Any suggestions?

you might try putting a layer of cedar chips on the floor of the dog run. Make sure you're dog won't chew them though. Some dogs like them to eat which might make them sick.