Dear All, I've tried to search for a thread on this, but no luck.
I have a "blank canvas" when it comes to designing the outdoor area in my new house. I want a place that both my dogs and I will enjoy being in, but where they can't cause too much havoc. They are not big diggers (only when it's hot and they want a cool, shallow bit of soil to lie in).
I don't have a great deal of space (3m x 15m rectangle out the back with alfresco tacked onto the edge of this) as well as 1.5 metres wide down each side of the house and about 6m x 8m area out the front (which I'm planning to fence off from the road and with a gate at the side of the house so I can keep the dogs out the back when I'm not home.
I was thinking some raised garden beds / planters against the wall or fence (maybe the long corrugated tubs?) for any plants I don't want them to "help" me dig up (they don't touch established plants, but veges and flowers they probably would), and perhaps even a small well-defined area that they are allowed to muck around in (like a kids sandpit type idea). I've also seen those kids' clamshell sandpits that are good for doggy paddling pools when it's hot.
I have an older kelpie-cross (not as active these days) and a small monkey-of-a-dog with boundless energy and cheeky ways! (see my pic!) I will be walking them everyday as they don't have a massive property to explore and won't get much exercise in the garden unless I teach them to do laps!
I really don't have any plans so far regarding paving / lawn / ground covering / plants etc. Am open to anything at this stage!
What do you have in your dog friendly garden?
* Good ideas for pet-friendly gardens
* Clever ideas that will allow both plants and pets to coexist more easily? (I'm not after a perfect-looking garden. I like it looking nice but 'comfy' (eg. having dog toys strewn all over the place doesn't bother me, but potentially having plants strewn all over the place does if they decide to cool off on a hot day!)
* Low maintenance and waterwise would be ideal!
* Any tips for things I SHOULDN'T put in my garden? (eg. poisonous plants, stupid ideas that dogs would destroy?)
Photos and links welcome! Thankyou!