No matter how much we love our dogs, we have to realize that they can wreak havoc on our lawns. Just answering Mother Nature’s call to do their bathroom business can leave your yard filled with unsightly brown spots caused by urine.
Dogs that like to dig can excavate a small yard in very little time.
If your dog eats plants, you need to concern yourself with the fact that Rover can be poisoned if he eats a toxic plant and there are a lot of poisonous plants sold for yard and garden planting. You also have to be very choosey about what chemicals you apply to your yard.
If you think you’re never going to have a nice yard while you have your dog, rethink the situation. With proper planning, you can create a yard that is beautiful and a safe haven for your dog.
Try thinking like your dog when you work on yard plans. The dog will seek shade. He or she needs an area in which to exercise. Obviously, you have set aside space for a potty spot unless you walk the dog off of your property to take care of business. You need to plant things that are hardy and not easily destroyed by a misplaced step into the flower bed.
One of the best deterrents to keeping your puppy out of fragile flower beds is to use the raised-bed method of gardening. The frame around the bed – whether it is wood, stone, metal, etc. – appears larger than it really is to most dogs so they can identify it as a separate area.
Choosing plants for your dog-friendly yard can be a compromise. It is important to choose sturdy species that can rebound from the weight of a dog that might crash into them while playing fetch in the yard. It is also very important to research the species of plants you want to add to your backyard haven. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(www.aspca.org/toxicplants) offers a comprehensive list of poisonous plants. Your dog’s veterinarian can also offer good advice. Plants that should not be used in a yard where dogs play might include milkweed, holly trees, English ivy, Chinese wisteria and European bittersweet.
A few plant recommendations might include viburnums, coneflowers, junipers and evergreens. Thorny plants can deter a dog, but they also come with the risk of injury. However, most dogs quickly learn about the unpleasantness of sharp thorns.
If you choose to mulch your flower beds, it is important to use a dog-friendly mulch product. Do not use cocoa bean mulch because it is known to be toxic to dogs. Instead, use leaves, rocks or shredded tree bark to mulch garden areas.
It is important to curb the use of herbicides, pesticides and insecticides in your yard. Beware of slug and snail baits too because they contain metaldeyde, which tastes great to animals but is highly toxic. Be sure to read the ingredients and follow the instructions listed on any yard product.
It is up to you to decide if you want to plant grass. No matter how well you tend the growing grass, dog owners need to be aware of the fact that their pet’s urine “stains” grass. Some varieties of grass are more susceptible than others to pet urine stains. However, there are products on the market that can help eliminate problems caused by urine.
If you have a male dog or a female that prefers to lift her leg when she urinates, consider placing a post or an interesting piece of driftwood in the yard just for that purpose. Dogs like to mark their territory, and the post becomes a central point where they can get their marking business done.
Last, but not least, make sure you provide plenty of shade for your dog. This is one natural means of deterring a dog that likes to dig. One of the main reasons a dog might dig up your yard is to find a cool spot on which to lie.
It is usually a good idea to keep the border of your yard open so that your dog can roam the property line. If you choose to outline your yard with garden beds, create a pathway along the beds so that Rover can oversee his territory.
With a little forethought, you and your dog can enjoy your yard for years to come.
Related posts:
- Pet Friendly Backyard and Garden
- Is Your Dog Eco-Friendly?
- How to Make Your Car Dog-Friendly
- Puppy-Friendly Vacations Eliminate Need for Kenneling
- Family-Friendly Dogs
