Extension

The love and companionship of a pet is something many families want to experience, but must they sacrifice a nice landscape in order to have a dog? With some thought and planning, the answer is no. A dog can be a family member, and the landscape can still meet the family’s recreation and entertainment needs.

 

Choosing the breed of dog is important. Some breeds are more prone to digging and others can be extremely hyper. Since some basic dog traits can’t be changed, adjustments to the landscape will need to be made.

 

The first two years of puppyhood can be challenging. The puppy’s teeth will develop, and that means Rover will likely be chewing on everything. Patience is key during this time. 

 

Gardeners with specialty plants or beds may need to fence off those areas. Avoid planting new trees during puppyhood because the furry friend may take a liking to chewing on the trunk. If trees must be planted, wrapping the trunk with plastic landscape wrap is an effective method of protecting the tree from puppy teeth.

 

A fenced backyard is a must for pet owners, and this is where a dog will love to hang out and patrol the perimeter of the landscape. Take a good look at the layout of the yard and determine which areas will be used for humans and how that space is incorporated into the dog’s areas.

 

Don’t place delicate plants along the dog’s path around the yard because they likely will get trampled. These plants can be planted in pots that can be moved around to keep them out of the way. Plus, the pots are a good way to add more color and texture to the landscape.

 

Remember, dogs love to investigate smells and sounds. Every time the pup detects something on the outside of the fence, they’ll want to check it out, so avoid planting by gates and areas close to high-traffic areas on the outside of the fence. The neighbors and their dogs will also attract attention.

 

Any hope of harvest in a vegetable garden will quickly be lost unless the dog is excluded. A water pond with fish will be too tempting and needs some decorative fencing to keep the pooch out of trouble.

 

Dogs left alone in the backyard day after day become bored and may become destructive by digging and tearing up the landscape. Taking the dog for daily walks will help calm the pet and burn up some energy. As an added bonus, the walk is great exercise for both the dog and the owner.

 

As with most landscaping projects, planning a landscape that is both human  and pet-friendly will take some time, but it’s worth the effort.