why is my lawn disappearing?

lots of things can cause new lawn to fail , but patchy , is the dog running around the grass possibly piddling on certain parts once they have a scent on em. has anyone fed the grass a little over enthusiastic can cause patchiness. Any squirrels in garden? I am sure there are many more reasons but heres some for starters janie.

I haven't fed the lawn at all. Is that it do you think. I don't think it is Beth, my dad has no probs like this (he had a dog just like Beth).

I don't know much about lawns at all. It is all around the washing line (in a circle) and the bit leading to the compost area. Could it be a cat? There are other patches but this is the significant area.

I would rake it out using a spring rake and re seed the bare patches , if it is in a circle round the washing line it must be linked to either walking round the line or constant drips from the line on new laid turf , however 18month is quite long to be down , so I dont see the drips causing problems at all.

Yes, I think re-seeding it is the answer. I will have a look at the garden centre for grass seed. I have not done this before but I expect it is straight forward. Thanks Mac (do you mind being called Mac)? Janie :)

no thats fine janie , remember spring rake it over first Janie

Hi Janie,
Until you are sure it is not chemical damage from the drips from your washing line, check to see if you have ants, cock chafer grubs or leather jackets, by lifting a piece of turf in several places. Also it could be the results of red thread. I don't advise you to reseed at this time of year. Lift your cut when mowing and let the grass grow longer overall and see if it recovers.
Come back and let us know what happens.

I reckon it's lawn chafer grubs like doctorbob says...my mother bought some turf from a garden centre to fill in an area at the side of her lawn, & shortly after one part was looking v sad...lifting the turf she found a (disgusting-looking) giant crescent shaped grub, quite near the surface. I think it was about this time last year...the beetle lay the eggs in the soil around September & they overwinter and then start to feast on the lawn. After lots of checking for more & not finding any (therefore,probably came in with the turf roll), the lawn recovered fine.