Need ideas to get out of the doghouse with your pet? If you have a dog that craves time out playing in the yard, or if you leave your pet outside while you’re away at work, then you’ll definitely want to incorporate a few of these pet-friendly landscaping ideas designed with man’s best friend in mind!
The following is a short list of fetching ideas to transform your yard into a comfortable oasis for your pet to rest and play.
You’ll want to start by installing a garden path for your dog to run and roam. A path built alongside your garden fence will be a hit with pets that want to patrol the property line and work off a little pent up energy. If you find you already have well-worn dog paths through your garden, consider paving them and landscaping around the trails.
Have you considered installing a water feature in the garden? Adding a small pond or stream can be a nice way to provide your dogs with a cool spot for playing. The water also helps prevent dehydration when pets are outside for longer stretches at a time.
If you do leave your dog outside unattended in a fenced yard, you’ll want to keep your pet safe by installing an underground barrier made with chicken wire, rebar, or poured concrete. The barrier can be set along the fences that line your yard to keep dogs from tunneling out while you’re away at work.
You also might want to reexamine the idea of the traditional doghouse. If you build a raised platform in a favorite spot, Fido can have a dining area or a lookout spot from which to survey the world.
When landscaping your yard, also keep in mind this tip to romp-proof your greenery: Plant shrubs and perennials at the edges and more delicate plants in the center for a strategic protection plan. Also, try adding soft mulch around trees to create a nice, cozy, shady spot for animals to rest on.
Need more ideas to landscape your yard to be dog-friendly? Check out this great article. And be sure to talk with your landscape designer to customize your yard to suit your pet!