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In general, cool-season grasses such as fescue grass, ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass are best for creating a striped lawn. Warm-season grasses like bermuda and zoysia grass don't curl as much, so grass stripes aren't as easy to see. If you live in a climate that’s better suited for warm-season grass, zoysia grass will typically be your best option.

The best grass type for shady areas depends on your region, your preferences, and your yard’s microclimate. Overall, the best cool-season grass for shade is ryegrass or tall fescue, while the best warm-season grass for shade is St. Augustine. But again, this can depend on what you’re looking for in the grass. The best grass for your shady yard might be one that looks good to you, one that tolerates high foot traffic, or grass with other characteristics that make it fit your lawn needs. 

You can thicken new grass by using fertilizer, watering it 1 to 1½ inches per week, mowing when it is at an optimal height, and preventing weeds. You should fertilize your grass while you plant the grass seed, or soon afterward. Use an herbicide to prevent weeds or spot spray with herbicide to kill existing weeds.

Yes, in most cases, grass will return after your dog urinates on it. But without preventative measures, there’s always a chance your dog will pee on the grass again, leading to brown patches come summer. This aside, even if your grass is dead in patches, simply reseeding the dead spots should help restore your lawn. 

If you choose not to reseed your lawn, unaffected grass surrounding the dead patches will spread over any dead spots. But be prepared for this option to take longer—you likely won’t be able to grow grass fast.