When you have a dog and a garden, you need to protect them from each other with some dog-proof garden ideas.
Dogs need plenty of space at home so they can exercise. A front yard or backyard is the ideal place for them to run and play.
But if you have a garden, your pet can dig up the earth and destroy your plants. At the same time, the garden can be a danger to your pet. This is why you need to make lawn care safe for dogs while keeping your yard in good shape.
Check out some of our tips for protecting your dog from common hazards that can be found in the garden.
1. Train Your Dog To Recognize Allowable Limits
Train your dog to understand the limits of your garden as early as possible. Start by walking it through the garden on a leash. Repeat the same path every day until your pet gets used to it. The path will show where your dog is allowed to roam.
Subsequently, potty-train your dog while doing your morning walk in the garden. Find a designated area where it can do its business and make it a routine. Incorporate obedience training once your dog is used to the routine so that it can better understand you when you ask it not to go to areas with plants.
When nature calls, no doubt dogs will answer, but with a little effort, your pet can learn to use a designated area. Begin by choosing a corner of the yard that affords your dog some privacy and is not a main thoroughfare for visitors.
2. Use a Fence
Every dog parent knows that a fence is essential when you have dogs. Dogs are smart and they know where home is, but there are just cases when they can’t help but make a run for it.
They may spot a squirrel or rabbit and will run off your property. Or perhaps they have some canine friends that they just have to play with. Whichever the case, a fence can prevent them from leaving your property and possibly getting lost.
The fence will also keep your dog safe in the garden. Several plants may not be safe for dogs. You may want to section off a part of your garden that has toxic plants which may be poisonous or can cause allergic reactions.
Know which plants are poisonous to dogs. It’s best to refrain from planting them in your garden. At the very least, you must ensure that the area where they’re located is completely impenetrable to dogs.
Here are some common garden plants that are hazardous to dogs:
- Autumn crocus
- Azalea
- Daffodil
- Foxglove
- Iris
- Lily
- Mums
- Oleander
- Peony
- Tulip
Choose dog-safe outdoor plants for your garden. Even better, fence them off so your dog won’t destroy the plants.
3. Avoid Exposed Dirt/Soil
Don’t leave exposed dirt in your yard. You can have a lawn and some paved pathways but never bare soil. Dogs won’t be able to help themselves; they will dig into that dirt. It usually happens when they are left to their own devices and are feeling bored.
First, your garden will look terrible if there are holes around it. Second, soil can be a breeding ground for fungal organisms. Contaminated soil can infect dogs, especially if they have open wounds.
Have a dog-safe garden by covering exposed dirt with yard items like a fountain or decorative rocks.
4. Try a Doggie Lawn
If you have any exposed areas of soil, you could place your doggie lawn on it and make it a designated space where your dog will routinely relieve itself.
Doggie lawns are specially designed patches of grass that are meant to help potty train dogs. If the doggie lawn consists of real grass (some are made from plastic), it will absorb the urine and neutralize unpleasant odors. Additionally, natural grass makes the area more attractive for your pet so it will use it as a litter box.
You can find out more about it by reading this review from the Upper Pawside.
The doggie lawn’s best benefit is it makes potty training so much easier. Since dogs are naturally inclined to seek out grass when nature calls, the product effectively helps to draw your pet’s attention and reinforces positive potty habits.
-The Upper Pawside
5. Remove Thorny Plants
Here’s one of the more important dog-proof garden ideas: remove thorny plants from your garden. This is self-explanatory since you wouldn’t want your pet getting wounded while playing outside.
A simple wound can cause complications. Bacteria or fungi can make their way into your pet’s body through the open wound, possibly leading to bacterial or yeast infection, respectively.
When we say thorny plants, we don’t just mean plants with thorns which are sharp protrusions from the stem’s tissue. Spines grow from leaf tissues too. You should also watch out for prickles — small sharp growths from the epidermis of the plant. Roses, for example, have prickles.
As we’ve mentioned, removal doesn’t always have to be the only solution to a dog-friendly garden. You can fence off the area or incorporate a raised garden bed.
6. Provide Ample Space for Playing
As long as your dog isn’t bored, your garden is generally safe from disaster. So, provide ample space for your dog to play in your yard. The space should have grass and plenty of toys to choose from. These can be:
- Balls
- Ball launchers
- Rope
- Pullers
- Hoops
If you have a large space, you can make it even more fun for dogs. It’s possible to create your own mini playground at home for canines by adding:
- An obstacle course
- Weaving poles
- Tunnels
With so many objects to amuse itself with, your dog won’t have the time or energy to disturb your plants!
7. Recognize Your Dog’s Favorite Spot
Dogs are just like humans — they eventually find areas in your home that they favor more than others. Once you notice where your dog’s favorite spot is, encourage it to stay inside it. Provide comforting objects in the space like your dog’s favorite toys.
This will keep it from stirring up trouble in areas of your garden where it isn’t supposed to be.
Conclusion
Yes, it’s possible to have a dog and a great-looking garden. These doable and awesome dog-proof garden ideas will help the two peacefully co-exist and thrive alongside each other. With some planning and effort, your dog can play outside safely without creating chaos on your plant beds.