Growing A Dog Friendly Garden

1
Growing A Dog Friendly Garden
2

• For those of us who love our four-legged
  friends, it can be hard to reconcile their
  rambunctious, digging ways with maintaining a
  beautifully landscaped garden. But its not
  impossible! At the same time, its very important
  to avoid plants and flowers that can be
  dangerous, even deadly, to our fur friends.

3

• The key to growing a dog friendly garden is to
  train your dog and do a little homework. Since we
  cant help you with the first part of that
  statement, well give you what you need for the
  second part!

4
Potty Train With Purpose

• If youre lucky enough to be starting with a
  puppy or younger dog, you can leverage a true
  fact about dogs they dont like to mess where
  they live. Thats the foundation behind crate
  training, and it can be extended to the garden
  too. Designate a certain patch of grass as the
  potty zone.

5

• As you are training your dog, always, always,
  always take them to that spot. Consistency with
  training is everything and there are a couple of
  advantages to taking the time to get this done
  right

6

1. You will avoid yellow spots of dead grass due to
   dog urine ALL over your lawn.
2. You will know exactly where to go to pick up to
   pick up the little bombs that doggo has left
   behind, before the yard can be enjoyed by
   everyone.
3. Your dog will learn quickly, if you are
   consistent, that this is the place to go.

7

• If youve already got burnt grass from pet
  urine damage, check out this earlier post on how
  to manage the damage!

8
Supervise All Yard Play

• Particularly while your dog is still learning
  where they can play, and where they cant, make
  sure they arent left alone in the yard. You
  cant train them to not dig holes in the middle
  of your recently sodded green space or in the
  raised garden beds if you arent there to see
  them attempt it! Like sneaky toddlers, theyll
  test the limits of what they can and cant do, so
  consistency is important here too.

9

• Part of a dogs natural personality is to get
  into trouble when theyre bored, so ensuring that
  they get plenty of exercise through walks and
  play makes it less likely that theyll try and
  burn off extra energy by digging holes!

10
Protect The Parts You Particularly Care For

• If there are parts of your garden that you
  really want to keep safe from digging paws,
  consider putting up a decorative fence, at least
  for the early days, while your dog is learning.
  It doesnt have to be taller than them even a
  low fence will stop most dogs and it makes a
  visual reminder as you train the dog, that they
  cant pass that fence!

11

• You can also use plants on your garden borders
  that are fairly sturdy and give the appearance,
  at least from doggos point of view, of being a
  fence. Other options? Consider larger rocks or
  pieces of elegant driftwood to block the way.
  Container gardens are also a good way to keep
  your favourite blooms safe from digging paws.

12

• Beyond protecting some features, its also
  important for your dog to be safe. Water features
  could be problematic with a small puppy, if they
  were to fall in. Consider all the elements of
  your garden from their height and age.

13
Have Some Toys Ready

• Just like kids have indoor and outdoor toys,
  its a good idea to have a few outdoor ones handy
  for the furkids. They might get bored watching
  you pull weeds, so some toys or a ball you can
  throw between pulling clumps is a good idea!

14
Garden Elements To Avoid

• If youre using mulch, avoid any brand based
  from cocoa bean hulls. These contain the same
  chemical as chocolatetheobrominewhich is deadly
  if your dog eats it. As to plants and shrubs,
  heres a list of some of the more common ones
  that are found in local Mississauga gardens but
  which are toxic to dogs, if ingested.

15

• Common yet dangerous plants for dogs
• If you love these, consider planting them at the
  front of your house, where your dog doesnt
  necessarily roam free.
• Iris
• Ivy
• Autumn Crocus

16

• Hydrangea
• Azalea
• Daffodil
• Tulips
• Amaryllis
• Clematis
• Cyclamen
• Lily of the Valley

17

• This list isnt exhaustive but covers some of
  the more common plants you might be considering
  for your garden. If you want to see a full list,
  the ASPCA maintains one here, including the
  common and scientific names. As youre making
  your list for your spring planting, if youve got
  a dog, cross reference it to make sure youre
  keeping your fur friend safe!

18

• The garden should be an oasis for the whole
  family, so dont forget to provide your dog with
  fresh, clean water when theyre outside for a
  whilegarden hose water can contain several
  toxins that arent good for humans or dogsand
  make sure theres a shady spot, so they can get
  out from under the sun. Most of all, enjoy your
  garden this season, with your WHOLE family.