Most dogs enjoy having the opportunity to run and play outside. Regardless of if you have a big yard or a small backyard, there are things you can do to make your yard more dog friendly and engaging for your canine best friend. From enrichment opportunities to safety considerations, here are five ways to make your backyard a dream come true for your dog:
1. Safe plantings
One of the best things you can do to make your backyard comfortable for your dog is to make sure all the plantings you have are dog friendly. Ensure any flowers and other plans you have aren’t toxic to dogs. The ASPCA Poison Control maintains a database of poisonous plants that you can refer to when checking any existing plants in your yard and also look at when purchasing new plants. You’ll also want to remember your dog when deciding on landscaping layouts. It’s fine to want to have manicured areas but leave plenty of room for your dog to run and play without always being careful not to disturb plantings.
2. Build a sandbox/dig pit
If you have a dog who loves to dig, consider creating a sandbox or other diggable area for your dog to play in. Not only is digging fun but building a designated spot can help reduce or eliminate unwanted digging in areas of the backyard where you don’t want your dog to dig, like your garden. To create a dig pit for your dog, you can designate a corner of the yard and bring in the sand as a clean digging surface. Or you can use a small baby pool as a container sandbox for your dog to dig in. To encourage your dog to dig in the sandbox area, try burying some of your dog’s toys for them to find.
3. Add a water feature
A fun way to add some enrichment to your backyard is to add a water play area for your dog in your backyard. A plastic baby pool can provide an excellent opportunity for dogs to splash and cool off while enjoying time in their yard, especially when you add waterproof toys for your dog to play with. A splash pad that attaches to your house can also be a fun way to give your dog some water to play with.
If you want to go all out, consider adding an above-ground or in-ground pool for your dog to swim in. For added water fun, add some waterproof dog toys for your dog to retrieve and play with the water. If you’re going the full-sized pool route, ensure any option you’re looking at has stairs your dog can easily navigate. Always supervise your dog anytime they are playing in or near water.
4. Secure fencing
If you have a backyard, it’s essential to ensure that the yard is fully fenced and that the fencing you have is appropriate for your dog. For safety, make sure that there aren’t any gaps in the fence, that it goes down to the ground, or that you’ve added additional fencing to prevent your dog from being able to slip under it.
Also, be sure that your fence is tall enough to prevent your dog from being able to jump over it. Having a fenced yard means your dog can take full advantage of having a backyard to play and explore unrestricted while off-leash. For safety, even if you have a sturdy fence, supervise your dog while they are in the yard, and don’t leave them unattended.
5. Outdoor Toys
To keep your dog occupied in the yard, don’t forget to provide an array of outdoor toys and games for you and your dog to play with. Invest in balls, tugs, and other toys that are weather resistant so they will hold up over time. You might also consider purchasing or building agility-style equipment to create obstacle courses for your dog while you are playing outside together.
