Landscape for dog?

chb · Jun 06, 2011 8:48 pm

Hi All,

We've just recently bought a puppy and at the moment we're keeping her under the alfresco barrier'd up so she can't get out to the backyard. We know this can only last for so long until she gets older and wanted some ideas as to what others may have done for their backyard.

The downside is most of our backyard has been sorted out, it's mainly pebbles(which is fine) and some strips of dirt where I am going to plant things. The thing was, I was going to put black mulch on top of the dirt but I'm scared now because I've read stories that dogs can eat the mulch and cause injury. At the same time I'm not keen on her walking around the dirt when it's wet and getting all dirty!

Any ideas???

joles · Jun 06, 2011 9:02 pm

Where will she go to the toilet if there's mainly pebbles?
The reality is, dogs and perfectly landscaping don't mix, especially when they're puppies. We have run some chicken wire where we don't want the dogs to go until the plants get more established, keeps them out. But ours aren't diggers, and they're not jumpers. They could clear the chicken wire, in fact one could just step over it if he wanted, but they don't bother.

Dogs will get dirty if there is dirt though... that's just what they do.

TheGardenWhisperer · Jun 06, 2011 9:35 pm

There is a few threads on this topic. I think you'll like the ideas and they will be very different from pebbles.
Two key features need to be to have a run around the fence behind the shrubs and the other is a few spots under shrubs where they can dig a shallow hole to lay in and keep watch over parts of the back garden. The rest is built on that. it works and you'll get few problems.

chb · Jun 06, 2011 10:33 pm

Thanks guys
I'll do a search. I have a spot next to the alfresco which is dirt at the moment. I was going to plant stuff there as well but may just leave that as a "playground" for the dog

the wire idea is great, my dog doesn't really jump now as well. Think I missed the boat with the run around the fence though, as a long strip of dirt for planting is by the back fence. I read somewhere that this is an issue too. Doh!

Planned LScape · Jun 06, 2011 10:57 pm

We did a job a few years back where the owners want a dog run around the perimeter of the whole landscaped area. We installed some tubular pool fencing after the site clean then did the whole project from there. It was about 2.5m wide by about 35m long from memory

Having said that I wasnt a fan. They were 2 German shepherds and there needs to be a decision made where the landscaping needs to suit the pets or the owners needed to question whether they wanted a full landscape and either exercise the dogs in the park more often or choose whether they wanted pets.