Your dog is undoubtedly your best friend! They are there to comfort you after a long day of work. They can cheer you up after a stressful day too.
Therefore, if you’re a pet parent, here’s how you can create a lovely space for your pet outside of the home. Every pooch deserves a perfect yard, and with these tips, you’ll improve the area ten-fold!
Clean their waste daily
Ensure you’re picking up the dog waste every day. This can cut down on the number of flies buzzing around. You’ll also have a clean and perfect yard! Waiting to clean once a week can also cause smells to linger.
When cleaning your yard, ensure you’re using pet waste bags. These are designed to trap in odors, so your trash doesn’t smell as rotten.
Cleaning often will also prevent anyone from stepping in anything unpleasant!
Spray for pests often
To keep those bothersome bugs out of your perfect yard, spray for ticks, mites, termites, and other bugs. If your yard is prone to rodent invasions, set a few traps too. You want your dog safe when they’re out playing with their favorite toys!
Other dangerous pests that can harm your pet can include:
- fireants
- bees — ground bee control can keep things at bay
- wasps
- mosquitos
To ensure your pet’s safety, set a reminder on your phone so you never forget!
Build their own house
If you want a perfect yard for your dog, consider building them a small outdoor home! A dog house can be comfy and safe if you build it right. If you’d like to create an outdoor habitat for your pet, consider these tips before taking on the project.
Building your own versus buying
When considering an outdoor habitation for your dog, you have two options. You can purchase a dog house, or you can create your own. There are various benefits when it comes to creating your own. For example, you can build it with your dog’s specific dimensions in mind.
It’s also a cheap and fun project you can do with your family. However, if you’re short on time, buying is also a viable option. Make sure to buy a spacious house with enough room for toys, food, water, and treats!
Add a heat lamp
If you live in a colder climate, consider adding a source of heat in the dog’s outdoor home. Keep in mind that your dog shouldn’t be left outdoors for long periods of time!
Know when to bring them indoors
While a dog house can be a cozy spot for your dog to hang out outdoors. They shouldn’t be left outdoors for long stretches of time. Don’t leave them outdoors if you’re leaving town. Put them in a kennel. If you are gone all day, ask a friend to let them out. Leaving your pet outdoors is quite dangerous, as they can get out and run away while you’re gone!
Keep the yard clear of clutter
Ensure you’re keeping the yard clear of large messes. Purchase a shed to store equipment like gardening gear, sheers, and more!
Plant responsibly
Some plants can be toxic to pets! If you enjoy planting certain flowers, plants, and fruits, ensure you’re not planting anything that is dangerous to your animal. Here’s a guide of what to avoid when you have a dog or cat.
Tomato plant
Tomato plants can be quite popular in the summer. However, consider your pet’s wellbeing before you plant it. If ingested, a tomato plant can cause fatigue, confusion, and a slow heart rate.
Sago Palmo
Sago Palmo is another plant that can be toxic to your pets. These can be found in warmer climates. Dogs may even find this sweet plant delicious. However, don’t be fooled by its beautiful leaves. It can cause liver failure in dogs!
Aloe vera
This plant is known for its healing properties in humans. But did you know that it can make your dog seriously ill at the same time? If you’re planning on keeping aloe vera in your yard, make sure your pup can’t get to it! If you want to be more cautious, consider planting a non-toxic alternative in its place.
Ivy
ivy is another one of the most toxic plants for canines. While this plant may look stunning when draped on the fence, it’s not worth the high vet bill or your precious pet’s life.
American holly
Holly is a gorgeous plant to bring out around the holidays. However, it can also make your four-legged friendly gravely ill. Signs that they have ingested the plant include muscle spasms and violent vomiting. Keep this plant out of the garden!
Baby’s breath
This is no innocent flower. While it can add a sweet and delicate touch to your perfect yard, it can also permanently harm your pup!
Add a shaded area
Come summertime, the sun can be brutal! If you can’t last more than a few minutes under the blazing sun, neither can your dog! Practice great dog care. Therefore, ensure you have enough shade if you want a pet-friendly and perfect yard. Install an awning or add shade umbrellas to your yard for optimum pet care.
Cut your grass often
Your dog can’t run comfortably through the grass if it’s three feet high. Therefore, ensure you’re cutting it every few weeks with a zero turn mower. If you don’t have enough time to do this yourself, hire a service to help you out with your lawn.
Build an obstacle course
If you have enough space, consider adding a small obstacle course for your dog! This can be a great way to train your dog an provide them with daily exercise. Walks are fun, but they aren’t mentally stimulating. If you own a working dog, like a husky, Australian Shepardard, or Border Collie, you need to provide the dog with proper exercise.
When building an obstacle course for your pup, consider these factors!
Ramp
If your dog tires easily, consider building them a small ramp. Be cautious if your pet had bad hips. A ramp may put too much pressure on these sensitive joints. However, adding a few ramps to the yard can also be a brilliant way to get your dog the exercise he or she deserves.
Cones
If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to make your perfect yard more fun for your dog, consider placing a few cones on the grass for them to weave through.
Dog walk
A dog is a raised platform that demonstrates their agility and balance. If you wish to start with a simple piece of agility gear, consider purchasing this or building your own!
Tunnel
A tunnel is another ability modality that can teach your dog this amazing skill. Ensure you have enough space, and guide them through the tunnel using their favorite treat.
Tire jump
If you have enough space in your yard, add a tire jump so that you can make your dog work for their treats!
Keep their food covered
If you want to buy a house, lawn care is a huge part of the process. Remember that you’ll have to maintain this outdoor area of your home if you’re looking to invest in residential property. You will also have to keep your pup’s food covered. This will prevent ant and other animals from getting into the food. If foreign animals get into the food, this can make your dog sick!
Their food can also get wet and moldy. Purchase something with a lid, so that you never have to worry about the elements ruining their snacks.
Build a sturdy fence
To prevent your dog from running away, make sure you build a sturdy fence to keep them in the yard! If you live in a particularly stormy area, always check on your fence’s integrity after a strong bought or rain or hail.
Add a water feature for your dog to cool off
If your dog loves water, spoil them with a neat water feature! This water feature can help keep them cool once the temperature reaches above 90 degrees.
For example, add a shallow pool or a fountain that spurts water for your dog can play for hours!
Make it human friendly too
You can add toys and loads of other things you’re pup loves to make a perfect yard. However, there is only one true way to make the best yard for your dog. You have to make it a space that you want to spend time in too! You mean the world to your dog. They can’t have a great time until you’re outdoors with them too. Therefore, add some features you love so that you can spend more quality time with your pup too!
Add a firepit
For the perfect yard, consider adding a firepit! This is a great way to incentivize you to spend more time outdoors! You can even invite company over so your pup is never lonely.
Add an entertainment area
You can also add a basic entertainment area. Build a bar and serve drinks to your friends and family. You can also set up a grill and host family events and barbeques.
Add more seating
If you plan on playing fetch with your dog, make sure you have a comfy place to sit down, so your legs don’t get tired!
Add seating along your yard so that you can have the energy to play with your pup for hours.
Expand the yard
Think of efficient ways to maximize the space in your perfect yard. You want to ensure your dog has enough space to run around!
Take safety precautions with your pool
If you have an outdoor pool, make sure you’re taking the right safety precautions when letting your pup out! Never leave them in the yard unsupervised, as they can fall in.
If you happen to find them unresponsive, call a veterinarian immediately.
Add a doggy door to the backyard
You can also add a doggy door to your backdoor to give your dog access to your perfect yard when you’re not home. This is a great way to give your dog access to the yard at all times. However, if you worry about them digging under the fence while you’re gone, lock the door until you return from work.
Add a frisbee bin
If your pup loves to play with balls and frisbees, consider adding an outdoor bin to store their toys. This way, you won’t have to worry about your pet dragging in soggy and dirty toys!
A conclusion on building the perfect yard
Your yard can be a comfy and cozy space for your pet — but only if you take care of the area. Ensure they are safe and comfortable, and your pup will have more space to stretch their legs! You should also pay attention to what you’re planting and maintain the area for loads of space for fetch and belly rubs!
