Pet friendly yard
Your Backyard Doesn’t Have To Be A Dog’s Breakfast
Everyone loves the family dog but we all know Fido can turn your dream landscape into a used race track. With proper planning you can save your yard AND keep the dog and family safe from accidents!
Is Dogscaping a word? It is now. Here are some ways to dogscape your yard:
Take a Look at Your Space
How much space is your dog going to need to live happily? Larger dogs are going to need more room to run, smaller dogs will use the yard a lot differently.
Think like your dog. When you let the dog outside where does she/he go? Do they have a specific routine like running to the perimeter of the fence to check for new smells? Just by watching what your dog does you can tell what parts of your yard they have decided are dog friendly areas.
Paw Friendly Pathways
Would you want to walk on burning coals trying to get to and from the can? Use materials that are easy to walk on and not get too hot for Rover. Bricks, pavers, mulch and flat rocks are good choices. So are small cedar chips, pebble and rock pathways. The design possibilities are endless, and they are all comfy on your pets paws!
You can create multiple pathways in your yard if your dog’s breed is the type who loves to patrol their territory.
Pet Friendly Plants
Always watch out for toxins! Here is a good resource from the Weather Network (https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/10-common-outdoor-plants-that-are-toxic-to-pets) to show you what common outdoor plants are toxic to your pets.
It’s not just plants you need to be careful of. If you are using chemical products on your yard make sure they are safe for everyone, including your pets.
You want to use plants that will stand up to roughhousing and general dog play. Brittle plants that will break easily will make a mess of your backyard. Don’t get plants with thorns and spines – especially at paws and eye level!! Be sensible with your plant choices.
Does Your Dog Spend A Lot of Time Outdoors?
Consider adding a water source to your backyard. A low-maintenance water feature will help if Spot likes logging the hours outdoors. A small splash fountain is always a gorgeous feature in any backyard that can keep the pets cool too!
Wear and Tear, Digging and Urination Spots Not Your Thing?
Hardscape! To put it briefly, hardscaping is a low maintenance alternative to grass that minimizes any messes a dog could make. We see a lot of Winnipeg home and dog owners go with stone and masonry designs (Patios and fire pits).
Off Limit Areas!
Make sure if you have areas that are a no-no for Rex you install safe borders or barriers. Large rocks and pieces of driftwood can protect your flower bed from being trampled on. Plant shrubs and perennials like ornamental grasses around the edge of the garden, accompanied by low fencing as a reminder for dogs to stay out!
The Place To Go
On the other end of the spectrum, have a marking post for your pooches to mark their territory. Set aside a corner of your yard and train Scooby Doo to do his/her thing there and nowhere else. Flagstone, pea gravel, bricks and cedar chips are all excellent choices to minimize cleanup on your end.
Your design options are endless with Bulger Brothers Winnipeg Landscaping. Check out our 3D Design and lets get started working not only for your dream space, but Lassie’s dream space too!
