When designing our homes, we try to do everything in our power to make this space as comfortable and as safe as possible for every single household member. Whether it’s installing the latest security system or looking for the comfiest mattress for your bed, there are a lot of aspects of making a home fit our needs. However, we cannot neglect our pets, seeing as how they are a big part of the family as well. Keeping in mind the fact that dogs spend a lot of time outdoors, you have to ensure the surrounding landscaping is accordingly pet-friendly. Listed below are some tips that you should take into consideration.
Put a fence around your property
First and foremost, if you allow your little balls of fluff to wander around the backyard on their own, you have to make sure they cannot run away and get lost. Erect a fence around your property to ensure they stay in the yard at all times. Picking the right fence is vital as you don’t want it to have huge gaps that little dogs can slide through. If they can dig a hole underneath it, you can plant roses or some other thorny plants such as barberry in front of the fence as that can deter the dogs’ plans. On the other hand, if you don’t want a fence around the entire property, you need to create a small area where you can fence in your dogs. This will allow them to play around and it will also protect certain plants that the dogs might destroy as well as the lawn that they might dig up.
Add a deck to your backyard
Another way how you can protect the lawn and the plants while still allowing your dog to spend time outside is adding a deck. You can install the aforementioned fence around the deck with gaps that are not big enough so that your dogs can slip by you and a gate that will make it easier for you to get in and out. This might not be possible if you have a tiny yard, but take it under consideration.
Choose the right grass
If you are sure the dogs will not be digging up the lawn and making a mess, there is no need to fence them in. On the other hand, now you might have to think about the fact that dog urine can burn your grass and turn it brown. To prevent this from happening, you have to look for the right kind of grass that will eliminate this issue. Kikuyu, buffalo grass, Bermuda grass, and tall fescue grass are something to research depending on where you live. Furthermore, you should help neutralize the urine by diluting it with water immediately.
Check your plant choice
If you decide not to protect certain plants from your dogs, make sure your four-legged friend doesn’t need protection from those same plants themselves. According to Jim’s Mowing, daffodils, azaleas, and peace lilies are all unsuitable when you have dogs. While some plants only cause minor irritation, others are really harmful and poisonous and can have much more deadly consequences. Therefore, if you have plants in your yard, do proper research and remove them or put a fence around them in order to keep your furry friends safe.
Don’t forget about hardscape
Perhaps you don’t want to have to think about taking care of the lawn and other maintenance chores you will have when it comes to landscaping. In that case, you should think about hardscaping. Not only is this a great low-maintenance alternative to grass, it will also be an amazing solution in terms of dog-friendliness. For example, by opting for stone and masonry, you can avoid or at least minimize the mess your pooch might make through urination or digging. Furthermore, if your dog has a tendency to walk the same path over and over again, you can install stone walkways in this area. That way, the dog will still have its path and your yard will still look charming.
Make sure there is water
If you have the space and the funds, you can consider adding a nice water feature to your yard. This will not only improve the appearance of your outdoor area but it will also provide your pet with a fresh source of water. From a splash fountain to a small pond, the choices are plenty. However, first, make sure that this is safe for your dogs. They should be able to get out easily in case they fall in, so add a few steps or a sloping side. Of course, if you simply don’t have space where to place these additions, at least make sure the dogs have access to a bowl of fresh water.
Create comfort zones
Next to ensuring they have water when outside, you should also create a few comfort zones for your pups. For example, you can look for an online construction tutorial on how to build one yourself and customizing it to fit perfectly in the available space. Additionally, you can add a soft and comfy dog bed to your deck or pergola so that they can spend time with you when you are outside enjoying the nice weather. Observe if there is any other part of the backyard where your pet likes to spend the most time and make sure you make it comfortable for them, regardless of whether it’s for playing or relaxing.
Train them well
Finally, none of these improvements will mean anything if you don’t properly train your dogs. From teaching them where they should go when they need to pee to encouraging them to play in designated areas, training them will keep your garden pretty and your pet safe. You can also contact a professional if you can’t deal with the training on your own.
There is a lot you can do in your backyard in order to make it dog-friendly, but all these solutions are readily achievable. If you’ve embarked on this dog-ownership journey, start as soon as possible and make your pup feel comfortable and loved.
