How To Make Your Backyard Perfect for Your Dog

When you have a dog, you’ll want to make their life as easy, comfortable, and enjoyable as possible. That means, among other things, giving them a good outside space to use as they need to. Of course, this is not as easy as just opening the back door and letting the dog roam around the yard; really, it’s far better to make that backyard perfect for your dog. However, it’s simple to make your dog’s backyard safe and enjoyable. Here are some ways to do it. 

Let them Come and Go

If your dog loves to be outside, then it might be worth considering installing an automatic sliding door. This way, they can come and go as they please without you having to constantly get up to let them out. Being outside is important for your little pooch, and when they need daily exercise, offering them the ability to run around in your yard any time they want means you don’t have to worry about providing them with the outside stimulation they need when you get home from work.  

Keep It Fenced 

Allowing your dog to run free in an unfenced backyard can be dangerous for even the most well-trained canines. They could be tempted to leave the yard to pursue a stray cat or flee if they are startled by a loud noise such as thunder, fireworks, or a vehicle backfiring. Alternatively, a hostile dog may come into your yard during playing and pose a safety risk. Unsupervised playing is hazardous at best and dangerous unless there is a good fence in your yard. 

You should pay attention to your fence as well. Once installed, you will need to check it regularly and fix any holes or gaps, or broken areas as soon as possible. The last thing you’ll want is to assume the fence is keeping your dog safe when it’s actually quite the opposite. 

Give Them a Dedicated Digging Area 

A flowerbed or freshly planted vegetable garden is an enticing temptation for dogs that like to dig, particularly if you fertilize with manure or anything else that smells delicious to your canine. This can be a big problem. The solution, however, is simple. All you need to do is create a dedicated digging area within the yard. 

To do this:

1. Use sand and purchase a child’s sandbox to make things even simpler.
2. Look for a sandbox with a cover to prevent neighborhood cats from using it as a litter box.
3. Bury food and chew toys in the sand to entice your dog to dig there rather than in your flower beds.

Also see: Signs that indicate your dog is not well

Have A Water Feature 

Many dogs love to play in the water, so by installing some kind of water feature for them to enjoy in your backyard, you can guarantee they always have fun.

If you don’t want to add a permanent feature, a simple plastic or inflatable baby wading pool can provide hours of entertainment for water-loving canines. In addition, sprinkler hose attachments can provide a refreshing breeze while also watering your grass, which is very useful. 

Make sure there’s adequate drainage, so your dog doesn’t get stuck in the mud on wet days. Putting down gravel is an excellent method to keep the muck off of your pet’s paws. You won’t want to install a sliding door, so your dog can come and go as they please if they will track mud and dirt back into the house when they’re finished outside. 

Offer Shade 

When your dog starts to overheat, there should be a cool, shaded place in your yard where they can take a break from play. To promote hydration, leave a water dish in that place too. A dog may not realize that its best course of action could be to come inside if they get too hot, so ensuring there is some shade will help.