Plug aerator = dethatch?

[nick21]

I mulch my lawn. Will an aerator help with a few spots cover with dead grass or do I need a dethatcher? I am also going to seed a bare 1/4 acre and overseed the remaining acre of grass so I thought a slit/spike aerator might help for that and might get rid of some of the thatch. If I get one of these it will be in addition to the core aerator which I will get this month.
Thanks

also any recommendations? I have a 717A and a BX24 so I can use a tow behind or a 3 point unit. I am only going to use it 2 times a year so i don't want to spend over 800 or so. I think I want a 3PT unit unless there is something I haven't realized.

[Smallaxe]

Why do you think you need to aerate or dethatch. Usually when you mulch the clippings back they digest into the lawn and recycle the nutrients, without a lot of surface roots growth that eventually creates thatch.

Unless you are really pouring on the ferts and water, producing more clippings than can be digestted.

You should be able to just run a slit seeder over the ground and be done with it. [It is better to explain 'why' you can't just overseed]

[nick21]

My thatch layer is not very thick but there are some spots where the grass is dead. Probably from my dogs. Do you guys think that core aerating is not necessary?

[DA Quality Lawn & YS]

My thatch layer is not very thick but there are some spots where the grass is dead. Probably from my dogs. Do you guys think that core aerating is not necessary?


Ohhhh Boy.....
Per above, you said you have dogs and they are causing grief with your lawn. You should have mentioned that up front.
There is nothing you can do about dog damage to a lawn that will be a permanent fix (except get rid of the dogs which most people don't do). You either have a nice lawn, or you have nice dogs. Not both.
Some remedies are occasionally mentioned on here for dog pee, poo, etc. The fact is, if you dogs pee on top of that remedy (whatever that may be), then you are back where you started from.

I don't want to sound hopeless, but I want to be sure to point out reality to you if you have dogs.

[Smallaxe]

I have been working on a dog lawn as a matter of fact. Not 100% success yet, but cooler, wetter weather is helpful.
Stop fertilizing is the first thing to do. Do not bag clippings and add molasses and/or sugar to the lawn and extra sugar on the dog spots themselves.
[I have actually had some urine spots come back to life with molasses.]
The neglected and abused lawns seem to be the ones with no dieback from dog pee. Not really sure the exact combination yet, because This lawn is still has some areas that are susceptible to urine spots.