Thanks for the question.

From personal experience, I can attest to the fact that dogs, shade, and grass have trouble coexisting. There are some ground covers that might work in shady locations but may or may not stand up to dog activity, especially if your dogs are prone to romping and playing with other. I have seen kennel areas where there is wood mulch. However with dog urination on this type of mulch, eventually things end up as a smelly and untidy mess. Bottom line is that the best cover for dog areas should be sturdy, resilient to dog traffic and digging, non-toxic to dogs, and preferably easy to maintain. Here are some possibilities:

1). Artificial turf is a popular choice as it provides a grass-like surface that is durable and easy to clean. It obviously would require periodic cleaning.

2). Perennial rye grass is known for its quick germination and dense growth, making it durable for high-traffic areas. White clover is also used, either with or without the rye grass, in dog areas because it's tough, low-growing, and withstands dog traffic well. It's also soft on paws and resistant to urine burn.

3). Sometimes synthetic coverings such as rubber mulch or shredded rubber provide good ground cover and are easy to clean. Just a word of caution, however. Depending upon the composition of these synthetics, they may or may not be toxic to dogs. Do some research ahead of time.

Regardless of the option you choose regular maintenance such as picking up waste and cleaning the area will keep it in good condition and safe for both dogs and humans.

For further information on these and related points see:

https://plantenders.com/blog/f/dog-friendly-groundcovers-protecting-your-garden - :~:text=By choosing dog-friendly groundcovers,furry friend can coexist harmoniously.

https://northerngardener.org/great-groundcovers/

https://www.aldmn.com/dog-friendly-landscape-design - :~:text=Creeping thyme is a soft,green to silvery-white leaves.

One final point. As you try to decide among different plant covers, be sure to get plants that will survive in growing zone 4, which is the zone that is applicable to Ramsey County.

Good luck. Please get back to us with any further questions.

Always glad to help out another dog lover. Thanks for consulting with us.