How to Make a Dog-friendly Garden
If you own a dog, there are multiple ways to make your garden both safe and enjoyable for it. Here are a few ideas that you can either put in place yourself or ask our gardening and landscaping experts to help with.
Create an interesting layout
Dogs are naturally adventurous and love it when there are different textures and arrangements to explore. Try experimenting with ornamental grasses that sway in the wind, different routes for them to make their way through the garden, and plenty of grassy areas to play on.
Make sure your plants can handle it
Dog owners should choose specific types of plants for their gardens. The more robust the plant, the more it will be able to handle curious paws and snouts. Good examples are large perennials and stocky shrubs, plus ivy can take pretty much anything that life throws at it.
Remove toxic foliage
Quite a few types of plants are toxic to dogs, including buttercups, foxgloves, daffodils, hydrangea, chrysanthemum, wisteria and many more. Always check the information labels when purchasing new plants and flowers, plus it’s worth checking your garden for any that may have started growing naturally.
Choose dog-friendly plants
Don’t worry, there are plenty of lovely plants that are harmless to dogs. Try adding some roses, sunflowers, daisies and snapdragons. If you want more variety, ask a team member at your local garden centre, as they’ll be happy to recommend their favourites.
Secure your garden
The most obvious thing to do when securing your garden is to check all the fences, gates and walls for holes and gaps. But that’s not all, as dogs can get into all kinds of trouble when left to their own devices. It’s also important to make sure that your garage, shed, greenhouse and any other outbuildings are secure, as the last thing you want is for Fido to mess about with the tools and seedlings.
And don’t forget that dogs can jump very high when they want to, so your fences will ideally be six feet high if you own a medium-sized dog. If you have a Great Dane… well… rigorous training is probably the best solution.
Slugs and snails
Though slugs and snails and puppy dogs’ tails go well together in the nursery rhyme, it’s important to keep your pooch away from slimy garden visitors. This is because dogs can contract lungworm if they eat slugs and snails, which affects their breathing and energy levels. If you use slug pellets, always go for ones that are organic and safe for pets.
Avoid using chemicals
A pond or other type of water feature can really bring your garden to life and add an extra level of tranquillity. Whilst you obviously want to keep the water clean and clear, you must avoid using additives because your pup will most likely drink the water when you’re not looking.
Having said that, drinking dirty water that contains algae is also bad for dogs, so try adding a barrier around the pond if possible.
Lock up the compost
It’s bad enough when a dog tracks a bit of mud into the kitchen, never mind rotting leftovers. By securing your compost bin so that your lovable mutt can’t access its contents, you’ll also be keeping it safe from potentially harmful foods and bacteria.
Consider artificial grass
Fake grass is an excellent choice for dog owners, as it’s soft, comfortable and doesn’t fade if your four-legged friend decides to go tinkle on it. If you’re considering artificial grass for your garden, get in touch today for a bespoke quote.
Tagged as: gardening services, soft landscaping
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