- 1). Furnish your yard with dog-friendly plants. Some plants might look nice in your outdoor space but present a real problem for pets if they are consumed. Some poisonous plants to watch out for are flowering blooms, such as azaleas, or shrubs, such as yew evergreens. Poisonous plants are especially dangerous to puppies who explore their world by chewing.
- 2). Use materials that are safe to the touch for your dog's paws. If you use jagged pebbles to line pathways and frame garden spaces, these can be a real pain for your dog's soft paw pads. Instead, choose soft grasses, soft stone and small mulch chips that will not injure your furry friend as he runs and plays.
- 3). Create protective barriers with shrubs, hedges and fences. If your yard is not gated, it is possible for dogs to wander if left without a leash. Fences can be your best bet for keeping your dog safe within his parameters. Instead of fences, you can also plant tall hedges and shrubs which will add a lush green quality to your space while defining barriers for your canine.
- 4). Install lighting elements around the space for late-night walking. Letting the dog out just before bed can be easy for you and your dog so long as you provide lighted pathways. This will keep him from hurting himself and will make waste pick up a much simpler task. Some possible lighting options are solar-powered torch lights or lanterns.
- 5). Provide a ready water source for your dog. This is especially important if you leave your dog to play outside for lengths of time. Water features can also be an attractive design feature for your outdoor space.
- 6). Leave open spaces for your dog to run around comfortably. This is especially important if your dog is high-energy or your dedicated walk time with him is limited. Getting out excess energy outside can lead to better behaved dogs indoors.
- 7). Provide sources of shade to protect your dog from oppressive heat. These can be found in the form of umbrellas, awnings, thick shrubs, tall trees or even doghouses. Your dog can overheat outside much easier than people can because they do not have the ability to sweat. Shade and water are essential to your dog's health.
- 8). Avoid using chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers whenever possible. While they might keep your yard free of weeds or insects, they can be dangerous to your dog if ingested. Whenever possible, opt for environmentally-friendly solutions, such as vinegar which can kill weeds without hurting your pet.
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