“I had no idea how much of the world was edible until I walked my black lab, Guinness.” ~ Joan Morell
I owned a pet sitting/dog walking business in Denver, CO. I had visited many homes and played with hundreds of dogs. During those visits, I was always aware of my surroundings. I needed to make sure the dogs were safe and contained in their yard. I needed to also be aware of anything that could be consumed. The good thing is that 99% of my clients had a fenced-in backyard, and the dogs managed to stay out of trouble … sometimes.
Designing a dog-friendly landscaping should be exciting and adventurous. There are many sturdy and hearty plants, grasses, and trees that can withstand the test of time even with your demon diggers or shade-seeking dogs. Planning your landscaping around your pets will ensure you, your family, and your pets can live in harmony in your yard throughout the seasons.
Pet-friendly landscapes and softscapes. There are plenty of trees and flowers that are perfectly safe for dogs—and there are some that are quite poisonous. Do your research on toxic plants and trees before planning any landscape design. You can find a list of toxic plants in this article: Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets (https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-plants-poisonous-to-pets/).
Hardscaping your yard to avoid urine spots. Dog urine and fragile grasses do not go well together, and you may want to turn toward hardscaping to solve this issue. Hardscaping consists of non-living elements such as bricks, pavers, and decorative rock that can be added to your landscaping. Hardscaping offers little to no maintenance when it comes to being pet-friendly, minimizing the adverse effects of the mess dogs can create.
Sturdy grasses and grass alternatives. If you love a lush lawn, hardscaping may not be the answer. There are a few grass varieties that can withstand the harsh realities of paw traffic and foot traffic. Install tougher grasses such as Bermuda for warmer climates or a tall fescue for cooler seasons.
Although these stronger varieties of grasses will solve your paw traffic and foot traffic problems, they will do nothing for the other damage that can be obvious: dog urine spots or brown spots. But, wonderfully enough, there is a remedy for that as well. You can turn to clover lawns. Clover lawns are not stained by pet urine and can handle paw traffic and foot traffic. It’s a win-win for dogs and their people!
Diluting dog urine. Not ready to redo your entire lawn? We understand that creating a new green lawn may not be in your budget. You can revisit the old standby and dilute the dog urine with water. This will take some time and diligence, but getting the hose out and watering the area where the dog has urinated will dilute the damaging effects of the urine and leave your lawn looking pristine. Oh, and try not to squirt the dog unless they are a water-loving Labrador!
Fencing. Protecting your pet and keeping them safe is a priority for this dog lover. Providing a dog-accessible fenced area for your dog is an important part of your landscape design. You may want to consider fencing off the garden and bedding areas to keep your softscaping beautiful and dog-free. Creating a fenced design around your gardens will add depth, structure, and visual beauty to any gardening bed. Plant some lovely perennials behind a wooden picket fence and enjoy the fragrances and color for years to come.
When it comes to fenced areas and territorial dogs, keep plants and trees away from the fence line. Consider some brick pavers along fenced areas to add pet walkways. You’ll protect your investment, and your dog won’t destroy the grassy area along the fence when greeting dogs on the other side!
Behavioral modifications. I know this may sound crazy, but you can train your dog to use a designated area in your yard to do their business. I had a client whose dog would stop playing, spit out his ball, head to his potty area, do his business, and run back to continue playing. His area consisted of an 8-foot by 20-foot rocked area surrounded by a 3-foot fence and an entrance. It was his own “private” bathroom!
Think about what you want your outdoor space to provide and how you want to live in the space. Remember, a good design is functional and livable. Make sure you incorporate all your wants and needs into your landscaping design so you and your dogs can have some memorable times.
