Having a dog entails a lot of responsibility. Of course, it’s fun, staves off loneliness, and it’s even good for your health, but you do need to ensure you are doing the right thing for your dog and the rest of your family when you decide to take on the task of caring for such a creature.
One thing that is easy to forget when you’re making plans for your dog is the backyard. Although you might initially think this is a perfectly safe space for your beloved pet, it could be there are hidden dangers and problems. This is why you need to make your backyard perfect for your dog; here are some ways to do it.
Keep It Fenced
Having a fence around your backyard is essential when you have a dog. A fence means they won’t be able to run off and get lost or hurt, and they won’t end up in a neighbor’s yard, potentially causing problems. When you have a good fence in place, you’ll know where the dog is at all times, and you can leave them (for a short while, at least) in the backyard to exercise and do their business.
You’ll need to ensure your fence has no holes or gaps and that it is installed correctly. To make things even more secure, you can install outdoor hidden fences in the yard too. These are great devices that will keep your dog where it is meant to be and reduce your worries about them escaping.
Give Them A Dedicated Digging Area
Dogs love to dig, and they will do this in the backyard at every chance they get. It’s good for them, as it’s great exercise and it keeps them mentally stimulated too. Unfortunately, they won’t know that you don’t want them to dig up your beautiful flowerbeds or your vegetable garden, and this can clearly cause problems for everyone. This is why it’s a good idea to create a dedicated digging area for your dog.
You can use the same hidden fences we mentioned above to partition it off from the rest of the yard. When your dog is outside, you can put them in this area where they can dig as much as they want to, having a great time and getting their exercise, and you won’t have to worry about the rest of the yard getting muddy and ruined. Everyone – including your dog – will be happy.
Have A Water Feature
We know that dogs love to dig, and they love to play, but they also love water, and if you have a water feature in your backyard, you can help them have a lot of fun. Again, it keeps them occupied, which is ideal if you are busy and can’t play with them all the time.
The water feature doesn’t have to be anything fancy; a blow-up kiddies’ pool is fine, and in fact, because a dog can nip and claw at the pool, it’s best not to pay too much for it – it’s sure to get damaged. Or perhaps you have a sprinkler for your lawn; your dog will enjoy playing in that, and you’ll be able to keep your grass healthy at the same time. The only thing you’ll need to think about is the drainage. If your lawn gets horribly muddy, it won’t be so much fun for you, and you’ll have to clean your dog up every time they go outside.
