Are you a happy dog mom or dog dad? Then you might be wondering how to make your yard awesome for you and your dogs. Don’t worry! We have cool ideas to make your garden great for your pets.
Paths To Run And Patrol
Dogs need exercise, and paths give them a place to run and patrol. If your dogs have already made their own paths in the garden, don’t try to change them. Instead, turn their paths into proper walkways. A 3-foot-wide path is enough for most dogs. You can hide the path with plants if you want; dogs like having their own “secret garden.”
Let your pet enjoy the water features drinking from them and swimming in them, having fun with the fish.
Your dog will be happy with a pond, it will drink and bathe there, especially on a hot day, so be ready for this.
Prefer non-toxic and non-harmful blooms in your garden to make it safe for the pup.
Check out the list of toxic plants for dogs on special websites and make sure you aren't growing them or they are out of reach.
A Place To Go Potty
Your dog needs a spot to go potty, but it doesn’t have to be your lawn or flower bed. Set aside a corner of your yard as a toilet area and train your dog to use it. This might take a puppy about three weeks and an adult dog longer. Look at a dog-training manual for help. Cover the potty area with flagstone, pea gravel, bricks, or cedar chips. If you have a male dog, add a marking post so he can mark his territory.
You may add some steps and other pieces to make your dogs more happy staying outside and encourage some playing.
Flagstone is a good material for hardscaping if you have a dog, it won't injust the paws and is quite durable.
Most dogs love green grass, so having a lawn will be a great idea for your garden.
You may even go for artifical grass, it won't require as much care as natural lawns.
A pond here is not just part of gardne decor, it's a great feature for the dogs to bathe, cool a bit and drink fresh water.
Consider the blooms and greenery that are in reach of your pets - can they harm?.
Shade And Shelter
Like humans, dogs enjoy the sun. Give them a deck or a patch of lawn for sunbathing. But remember that dogs can get too hot, so make sure they have cool, shady spots too. They’ll enjoy sharing arbors, pergolas, and other shade structures with you. Most dogs also like having their own shelter, like a doghouse.
Place some toys in the garden to let your pet play as much as it wants.
A shady space is a must for a dog in the garden, there it may rest, relax and stay out of the sun not to overheat.
A sand box with a simple tent over it will let your dogs play with sand and relax when needed.
Your usual garden furniture placed in the shade can be a nice spot for your pet to relax when needed.
Consider water sources of any kind that will be comfortable for your dog to drink from, if no water feature is in, add bowls.
Access To Water
Your dogs should always have bowls with water in the garden. You can also provide other water sources like ponds, waterfalls, or fountains. Your dogs can drink and even cool off in them when it’s hot.
Dogs love playing in the water, especially on a hot day, keep in mind that they can dive there and eat your water plants, too.
Make reaching the water more comfortable for your pup as it will want to try it anyway.
Wood is one more good material for garden paths if you have dogs, it's all-natural, not very durable but still very comfy for walking.
Create paths where your dog made them and don't try to change the directions, that won't work.
Remember that your dogs will check out the plants and blooms, so make sure they are non-harmful for them.
Dogs need quite wide paths, so make sure they are wide enough as they will carry sticks and other stuff.
Plants
Use raised beds to protect delicate plants from dog damage. Put up temporary fences around new plants; when you take them down, add a rock border or low fence to remind your dog to stay out. Plant strong shrubs and perennials like ornamental grasses around the garden edges. Put delicate plants like salvias in the center, where they’ll be safer. Just make sure, all your plants are dog safe.
Dogs love running on the grass and playing, so a green lawn will be a nice choice.
If you are using groundcover, make sure it's safe for the pup if it eats it.
Mulch is a good hardscaping material for a dog-friendly space, making paths with it is a good idea.
Pet-Safe Landscaping
Avoid thorny and spiny plants that can hurt your dog’s eyes. Don’t use toxic plants; choose safe ones instead. Plants with soft, strong leaves, like ornamental grasses, can handle dogs without hurting them. Along the side of the house, use large clumps of maiden grass for greenery without blocking the view from windows. Use paw-friendly paving materials like splinter-free bark mulch and flagstone. Keep your compost pile off-limits. Watch out for dangerous weeds, especially foxtail grasses with barbed seed heads that dogs can inhale.
If you grow your plants and blooms quite dense, your dog won't step on them and will be out of the garden bed.
Dense planting and garden bed edging prevent dogs from going on the flower bed and running there.
A dog cooling itself in a natural pond with water plants and rocks.
Let all your pups play together in the garden, so they will be busy for some time running there.
Fence
A secure fence is essential for a dog-friendly garden. It prevents your dog from escaping. Here are some tips for choosing and installing the right fence for your garden:
- Ensure the fence is high enough to prevent your dog from jumping over. For most dogs, a fence at least 4-6 feet tall is recommended.
- Choose sturdy materials like wood, vinyl, or metal. Avoid materials that can be easily chewed or dug under.
- Solid fences can help reduce barking by blocking the view of passing animals or people. However, if you prefer a more open look, ensure the gaps are small enough that your dog can’t squeeze through.
- Make sure there are no sharp edges or points that could injure your pet. Secure gates with strong latches to prevent accidental openings.
Play Area
Creating a dedicated play area for your dog in your garden is essential for their happiness. Make sure there is plenty of open space for your dog to run and play fetch. Add some toys, tunnels, or agility equipment to keep your dog active. If your dog loves to dig, create a specific area with loose soil or sand where they can dig freely.
With all these tips you can create a garden that is both enjoyable and safe for your dog. Just make sure to store garden tools safely out of your dog’s reach.
Spend time observing how your dog uses the garden. Identify their favorite spots and any potential problem areas. Adapt its design to accommodate your pet’s habits.