How to Create a Dog Friendly Yard

Does your dog enjoy spending time outside? Being outdoors during the day can help your dog expend some of his nervous energy so he's calmer during the evening hours. If you plan on giving your dog access
to the outdoors, it's important that you have a dog friendly yard to not only maximize your dog's pleasure and safety but also to avoid lawn problems. If you want to create an ideal yard for your dog, here are some considerations:

Secure Fencing

If your dog is to spend time in your yard, it's important that you construct a well designed fence to contain him. Dogs tend to be excellent escape artists and are prone to vacate the yard at the first sign of something that catches their eye. Your fence should be tall enough so your dog is unable to jump over it. If you have a large, athletic dog such as a German Shepherd, you may want to consider a six foot fence to ensure he's unable to clear it and escape from his dog yard.

A privacy fence is ideal since this makes it difficult for your dog to see things on the other side of the fence to bark at. It's important to use wire meshing to cover any gaps in the fence. Be sure to avoid placing any objects next to the fence your dog could climb on to escape.

Sturdy Dog House

A dog house is important to give your dog shelter from the elements. You can buy one ready made or build your own out of wood. You'll want the dog house to be large enough for your dog to make a complete turn while inside, but not so large that it isn't cozy when the temperature drops. The floor of the dog house should be lined with washable bedding to keep your dog warm and comfortable when the temperature drops. If you have problems getting your dog to use his dog house, try feeding him a few times in his dog house and he'll adapt quickly.

Consider Your Plants

You should protect plants from dog urine by enclosing them in wire cages. Most plants can't tolerate the chemicals in dog urine and will die if repeatedly exposed to it. If possible, train your dog to urinate in a designated area of his dog yard by rewarding him with a treat when he does. It's also important to check your yard for plants that could potentially be poisonous to dogs and remove them immediately.

Store Unsafe Items Elsewhere

If you use your backyard to store chemicals, pesticides, or herbicides, these should be removed before allowing your dog access to your yard. Dogs are inherently curious and will attempt to sample almost anything.

Clean Your Yard of Feces Regularly

Don't allow your dog's feces to accumulate for long periods of time. Not only does it increase the risk that your dog will step in it and track it back into the house, but bacteria will tend to grow on the feces after awhile. Clean up is easier if your dog is taught to relieve himself only in a certain area of his dog yard.

Keep Your Dog Occupied

To reduce boredom and prevent excessive barking, leave your dog some safe, dog friendly toys to keep him occupied.

Make Sure Your Dog is Tagged

If your dog should escape, it's important he have proper identification attached to him. To be on the safe side, consider attaching two collars with tags on your dog in the event that one should fall off. Even better, have your dog micro-chipped.

When you have a dog friendly yard, your dog can spend many happy hours frolicking and doing all the wonderful things that dogs do so well.