If you’ve got a dog, you already know that your garden isn’t just a patch of grass - it’s their playground, their bathroom, and their chance to get some happiness and health into their lives. But that can all mean it can be a bit tricky to keep your yard looking nice while also ensuring it’s pet-friendly and ready for your dog to enjoy. However, tricky doesn’t mean impossible, and it’s all about making some good choices that will pay off in the end.
No matter what kind of dog you have, how big it is, or how much time it likes to spend outside (or even what it does when it’s there), making your yard dog-ready isn’t as hard as it might seem at first. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Think Like A Dog
Yes, this idea might seem like a strange one, and perhaps you don’t actually know where to start with it, but it does actually make a lot of sense, and once you understand it better, you’ll see how it works and why it’s wise to do it. Your dog is not looking for a tidy lawn with perfect edges and ornamental flower beds. What they’re looking for is a place to run, explore, dig, and take a nice nap in the sun. And that’s why it makes sense to zone your yard in a way that works for both of you.
You can give them space to run without them crashing about in your lovely flowers, for example, and you can give them a corner that’s just for them where they can dig as much as they like without ruining your lawn or where they can have a good sleep without getting disturbed, and everyone’s going to be happy. You’ll be amazed at how great it works out for everyone when there’s a designated dog zone and they can do whatever they like there.
Keep It Clean And Safe
Dogs explore a lot, and they use their nose to do it - that means everything in your yard, from sticks to grass to mulch to all kinds of mystery objects will get sniffed and checked out, and that’s why it’s so important to make sure that everything in your dog’s environment is safe for them to be around.
One thing you’ll need to do is check your plants because some common ones that you may well have in your garden, like foxgloves, azaleas, and lilies, can be toxic to dogs. If you’re not sure what’s growing, it’s worth doing a quick check before your dog gets too close and becomes unwell because they were exploring and doing what comes naturally to them.
Pesticides and fertilisers are something else to keep an eye on - it’s best to look for pet-safe versions wherever possible, and the same goes for mulch, which is sure to smell good to a dog, but could be harmful. And speaking of good smells, make sure your bins are completely sealed because your dog will want to get inside, and that could spell disaster.
Take Care Of The Lawn
Your dog is definitely going to love running around and eventually sleeping on your lawn, and they might even want to do some digging there too, so trying to keep your grass green and healthy can often feel like a losing battle. Of course, it doesn’t have to.
One handy trick is to mow more frequently because it helps to keep the lawn healthy and it gives you a chance to spot any worn patches early enough to do something about them. However, if you’d rather not spend your weekends doing hard work outside, you could invest in a robotic lawn mower instead to do the work for you. What’s really great about these is that they’re nice and quiet, so they’re not going to scare your dog, making their time in the garden even easier.
Don’t Forget The Water
Dogs get thirsty pretty fast, especially when they’re running around outside, and that’s why you need to make sure there’s always fresh water available, whether it’s a bowl in a shady spot or a especially made dog fountain (depending on the space you’ve got and, of course, your budget). Or what about having some frozen dog treats for them?
And while we’re on the subject of water, it’s wise to check that your yard drains well - standing water is messy and it can attract all kinds of bugs, not to mention the fact that it can mean lots and lots of mud, which is never ideal when you’ve got a dog.
