Having a backyard space that your dog can enjoy is great. However if that space isn’t designed for your pooch, you may end up doing more harm than good for your pet. So here are some simple ways you can help make your yard doggie-friendly. By applying them, your dog will be able to reap all the benefits of your outdoor space and you will have less hassle and worry.
Clear Out Any Dangers
One of the most important things you can do when creating a doggie-friendly space is to clear out anything and everything that could be hazardous to your pet. When doing so you should think about it exactly as if you were creating a child-safe play area for young kids. You’ll want to make sure there are no sharp objects your pet could step on or accidentally run into. For instance, spikes, old sprinkler heads, and wire fencing.
Also you will need to avoid harmful stuff your pet can chew on or ingest because they most likely will if they can. And of course, this means clearing out all toxic plants and flowers you may have in the ground or in containers. Making sure there are no dangerous pest traps or toxic baits is another must.
A Defined Bathroom Space
Your pet having the freedom to run, play, and relax in your yard is a good thing. However it’s not a good idea to give your pooch the freedom to go to the bathroom wherever they please. Having a specific bathroom space can help prevent your yard from becoming a messy disaster zone. The spot should therefore be chosen by you, not your pet, and be an area that is convenient for cleaning and with good drainage.
If you have a male pet, it’s particularly important to add a pee post such as doggie fire hydrant. This will give your dog a vertical place to urinate and mark his territory on. This is very important because if you don’t, he will do so on other upright objects cause and not only cause a mess, but damage. A dog fire hydrant pee post may be made from a variety of materials such as resin, metal, or plastic and may come with or without internal storage.
Secure Your Yard With Adequate Fencing
Regardless of the type of dog you have, proper fencing around your yard is an absolute must. A fence is your first line of defense when it comes to keeping out unwanted animals and people. At the same time it will also keep your dog safe and sound where it belongs: at home.
However to help guarantee that your fence does its job properly you will need to make sure it is sturdy and escape-proof so you’re dog can get over, under, or through it. And don’t forget to make sure that the actual gate and the latch on it are both strong and working correctly as well.
Make Sure You Have A View Of Your Pet
An important and yet often overlooked feature of a dog-friendly yard is that your pet is visible at all times when he’s in it. This could be from an inside window, or if you will be outdoors, making sure you have a viewpoint wherever you typically will be relaxing. A responsible parent wouldn’t allow their young child to play somewhere out of sight, and a responsible dog owner shouldn’t let their pooch do so either. That’s because as any dog owner knows even the best-behaved canines can get up to quite a lot when they are let left to their devices without supervision. Therefore if you don’t already have a clear view, you may want to trim, move, or even remove obstacles which are blocking it.
