Is it actually possible to own a dog and still have a well manicured, aesthetically pleasing back yard or should you be resigned to a garden full of holes and half trampled plants? The fact is with a little thought, planning and help from a good landscaping professional, a dog friendly landscape is not out of the question.
Here are some tips on how to add dog friendly elements to your garden without sacrificing curb appeal and style.
Pathways To Patrol All dogs need exercise, even the very small handbag sized ones so create designated pathways for them to walk, run and patrol.
Creating a dog run in your backyard will not only show your canine where he can and cannot roam, it will also help him believe that he is doing his job, patrolling the premises and keeping the humans safe.
If you dog has already created his own pathways through the garden, which many are apt to do, if possible follow those and make them more permanent.
Adapting to his preferences may be far easier than trying to train him to follow a completely new path.
If your dog is the Houdini type then some kind of boundary will be called for.
Many homeowners are opting for those electronic invisible dog fences that keep Fido in by sending a small electric shock to his collar.
These are safe as long as they are installed by someone who really knows what they are doing.
The "fence" should be calibrated to your dog's specific height and weight, otherwise it may not only fail to work but actually harm your dog as well.
A Doggie Toilet Space Canine waste can ruin the appearance of your landscape as well as make it rather hard to navigate.
Designating a specific doggie toilet space can solve that problem.
Set aside one spot in the garden and train Fido that he goes there and nowhere else.
To encourage him to accept this cover that designated area with a material that he will approve of as well as one that will clean easily.
Flagstones, pea gravel and cedar chips are all good choices.
Plant Flowerbeds Wisely Many animal experts say that if your ornamental plants and flowers are densely planted dogs will tend to stay away by themselves.
To make sure though plant in raised beds and consider erecting a temporary ornamental boundary until all your new plants have taken root and Fido has also realized they are off limits.
Be Careful What You Plant There are a number of plants that are not at all dog friendly.
The effects of these poisonous plants can range from mild tummy upsets to death so consult with a landscaper to make sure the plants you are choosing are not unsafe for canines.
Weeds can also be poisonous, especially wild mushrooms and foxtail grasses, so regular weeding is essential for your pet's safety as well as the maintenance of the neat appearance of your new dog friendly garden.