Dandelions typically grow in compacted low calcium soils and thin low cut grass turf. Recommend performing a soil test to see if your soil is nutrient deficient. Promote a healthy thick grass turf to minimize weed establishment.

Typically spray herbicide labels say it's safe for people and pets to return to the lawn after the product dries, but you're right to be concerned cause there's still herbicide residue on/in the plant for a period of time. If using a herbicide you could close off the application area or have your dog use an alternate location till the weeds are gone.

There's no selective organic chemical control for dandelions. There are non-selective organic chemical controls but those only kill the top leafy part and leave the tap root for the plant to grow again. Suggest mowing frequently so to cut off any forming seed heads to limit seed dispersal. Apply a spring pre-emergent to reduce next year's dandelion crop.

 

The chelated iron FeHDTA based weed killers decimate dandelion, they turn to black snot in hours. Maybe it does take a couple apps to kill the tap root, but if you can disrupt the growth enough to stop seeding it is a win.
It isn't cheap but I found it highly effective for spot spraying.

 

pre-emergant will keep the weeds from growing in the first place.

if you want to use weed stop or similar product, you could do the front and keep Fido off of it, and then do the back a few weeks later.

Ultimately a thick lawn will keep weeds at bay, so make sure you are fertilizing and mowing weekly at the recommended height for your lawn and you will notice a reduction in weeds without ever spraying for them.

 

Can you get one of those stand up weeders and give it a whirl for an hour a day (or one 5 gallon bucket a day)?

Your profile info doesn't have your lawn size so I dont know if that's feasible.

 

Common dandelions are a perennial weed and are not affected by pre-emergents.

 

Yeah stand up weeder. Strangely addicting. Do yourself a favour and buy two, makes for a good social activity.

 

Common dandelions are a perennial weed and are not affected by pre-emergents.

Right, the ones already growing in the ground.

 

Common dandelions are a perennial weed and are not affected by pre-emergents.

Right, the ones already growing in the ground.

Dimension (ai: Dithiopyr) is labelled to control dandelions as a pre-emergent.

 

The chelated iron FeHDTA based weed killers decimate dandelion, they turn to black snot in hours. Maybe it does take a couple apps to kill the tap root, but if you can disrupt the growth enough to stop seeding it is a win.
It isn't cheap but I found it highly effective for spot spraying.

This is your answer.

FeHDTA is the safest selective herbicide you're going to find, and it is extremely effective against dandelions.

It barely puts a dent in any of the other weeds on its label, but for dandelions it's exceptional.

 

Common dandelions are a perennial weed and are not affected by pre-emergents.

Right, the ones already growing in the ground.

Dimension (ai: Dithiopyr) is labelled to control dandelions as a pre-emergent.

I am curious what label you are referring to as nothing I've found supports this. For example, dandelions aren't mentioned anywhere in the below link.

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/dimension-dithiopyr#:~:text=Major%20Weeds%20Controlled&text=Preemergence%20control%20of%20crabgrasses%2C%20goosegrass,%2C%20henbit%20and%20parsley%2Dpiert.

 

Right, the ones already growing in the ground.

Dimension (ai: Dithiopyr) is labelled to control dandelions as a pre-emergent.

I am curious what label you are referring to as nothing I've found supports this. For example, dandelions aren't mentioned anywhere in the below link.

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/dimension-dithiopyr#:~:text=Major%20Weeds%20Controlled&text=Preemergence%20control%20of%20crabgrasses%2C%20goosegrass,%2C%20henbit%20and%20parsley%2Dpiert.

Here is the label for a liquid version. Dandelion is on the label as a pre-emergent

https://www.domyown.com/msds/QPDITHIOPYRLLABEL.pdf

 

@bosox_5 Interesting. Thanks for the link. After looking into some more of the labels, it seems there's evidence for both sides. I'm curious to learn more.

 

Thanks @bosox_5 for posting that link.