Design a yard that is safe and enjoyable for all family members.
When landscaping with four-legged family members in mind, take into consideration not only that you have dogs, but the habits of the particular breeds. If you know your dog digs, runs laps in your yard or regularly shops in your vegetable garden, these are personality traits that need to be incorporated into your landscape design. You need to design it with safety, maintenance and the goals for yard enjoyment by both people and pets in mind.
Safe Romping Space
In a home with multiple dogs that like to use the back yard for self-exercising and roughhousing, leaving an open space is essential. Begin your landscape with perimeter dog-safe fencing that is appropriate for your yard. Consider privacy fencing for homes situated in busy areas and chain link fencing if you'd prefer to keep a view. Make fences high enough for your dog's safety and reinforce the area where the fence meets the ground if your dogs tends to dig. Cement blocks lined under the ground just below the fence line typically does the trick.
Watch the patterns that your dogs take if they run in your yard. Lay a path of chat rock or other suitable high traffic path material in those areas to provide a solid running surface. Create a green space using the most sturdy turf available. If sturdy turf is not an option, consider a low maintenance dog safe ground cover that will withstand romping, but be comfortable for their feet and not attract bugs or snakes. Your local garden center will have suggestions based on your location.
Complete the landscape plan with raised seating and potted plants to give the yard appeal for your family. Consider adding a small fenced rock scape potty area off to one side of the yard that can be easily maintained. Train the dogs to use that area to eliminate keeping the rest of the space family friendly.
Small Space Design
Make small yards appropriate for dogs by creating open areas blended with features that enhance the yard for family enjoyment. Choose a dog-safe fence for the perimeter and design a yard around a large deck or patio that can be accessed from the back of your home. If you have multiple dogs, choose composite materials instead of wood for decking. Place seating, a dog-safe water feature or fire pit in this area for family enjoyment. In one corner of the backyard install the largest dog run that the space will allow. This will give the dogs their own area of the yard in which to spend time when they are not supervised. Pour a cement floor and cover the run with shade fabric. Landscape around the exterior of the run to make it blend seamlessly into the design. Plant dog-safe, non-poisonous, native-plant gardens within the remainder of the yard, weaving through paths made of brick or pavers. Avoid using materials proven to be dangerous to dogs such as treated mulch, clam shells or pea gravel.
Living Large
If you are fortunate enough to have a yard with acreage, your plans may be limited only by your imagination and budget. Break a large yard into separate-use spaces, providing your dogs with yard space that is all their own. Fence the area for the dogs, making it as large as you desire. Use dog-safe fencing that enhances the overall landscaping of the yard. Make the dog area a wonderland for your dogs. Build them a digging pit by containing commercial grade sand or add a dog-safe wading pool. Lay rock paths throughout the space to lead to play areas. Design a whimsical dog house to complete the space, adding heating and cooling if necessary. Shade is a must, so if you can't take advantage of trees, build a shade cover somewhere in the space.
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