My garden is on three levels - the first level we have laid in stone, from there we have steps leading up to the second level, which is grass. The second level is where the mutts like to play.

The slope I'm having trouble with is a 1.5 meter wide bit next to the steps. Full afternoon sun. This bit gets very heavy traffic, as the mutts race up there to get to the grassy area, rather than using the steps. I really can't block this bit off to give grass a chance to get established because my old guy cannot climb stairs, and this is the only way he can get to the next level under his own steam.

I thought that planting the area with ground cover might work - mature plants might have a fighting chance against the thundering canine herd, where grass seedlings have proven to be a lost cause.

Any landscaping ideas would be most appreciated.

So much to do in the garden this year... now if it would just stop raining long enough to get out there...