*contributed collaborative post
Dogs love to roam, play and explore in their own back garden and there’s no better place to play a game of fetch or sit an enjoy the sunshine together.
But dogs can also cause havoc in gardens, from digging up the flowerbeds to escaping under the fence and of course leaving a mess behind them. They’re not to blame of course, it’s in their nature! But if done right, you can make your garden a safe and stimulating environment that your dog will love.
Protect your plants and trees
Dogs can easily ruin all your hard work by simply digging up your borders, trampling through plants and urinating on your lawn and trees – check out this website if you’re looking for new additions to your garden – luckily, there are ways you can protect them and not spoil the fun either. You can create raised beds so they’re off the ground, or you can prevent them running through your flower beds by creating defined edges and paths for them to follow. Create areas specific for digging like sand or bark.
Make sure your garden is secure
The last thing you want to discover is your dog running free on the road outside your property or getting into a neighbours yard and causing damage! Make sure your garden is properly secure. If you have fences that can be dug under, make sure their bases are deeper than normal. If you have a medium sized dog, make your fences at least 6ft high – you’ll be amazed at how high a dog can jump!
Provide a water and shade station
On hot days, keeping your dog cool is imperative. Although it might be advisable to keep them indoors where its cooler, if they do venture outside make sure they always have a bowl of clean, cool water and plenty of shaded areas to relax in.
Make your garden stimulating
The more stimulated your dog is, the less likely they are to wreak havoc through boredom. Try creating new routes through your garden for them to follow, as well as different textures underfoot. Planting ornamental grasses can provide entertainment too!
Beware of slugs and snails
It’s always best to supervise your dog when they’re in the garden. Slugs, snails and even frogs might look like an interesting treat to your four legged friend, unfortunately they could be carrying lung worm and all other kids of bacteria that can be fatal. Keep an eye out for symptoms such as heavy or difficulty breathing, lethargy and coughing – if you’re concerned or even if you’re not 100% certain they’ve eaten a slug or snail then speak to your vet ASAP.
Keep your shed secure
Garden sheds are the perfect place to explore. However they are usually full of gardening chemicals, as well as dangerous objects like garden forks, rakes, saws, shears and electrical cables. Make sure your garden shed is fully secured at all times.
