Before welcoming a dog into your home, it's important to change your home to make it safe and comfortable for your pup. But many new owners forget to include the backyard in their preparations.
Dogs like to be outside because it keeps them mentally and physically active. However, gardens can be dangerous for puppies if you don't take the necessary precautions. You also need to prevent your dog from destroying the space.
So that you can enjoy the outdoors with your pup with minimal risk to your dog and your garden, here are five factors to consider.
1) Implementation of security measures
Unfortunately, thieves often target dogs in their owners' gardens. Avoid making your dog vulnerable by leaving them unattended or placing them in an easily accessible front yard.
To enhance garden security: - Put up a fence at least six feet high - Make sure there are no gaps or holes in the fence - Lock bells on gates and kennel doors - Install exterior lights with sensor y systems - Install closed-circuit television
Protecting your garden will also prevent your dog from escaping and getting lost.
2) Protect your dog from the weather
On hot days, dogs can quickly overheat and suffer from heatstroke, which can be fatal if not taken care of. To help keep your pup hydrated, always keep a bowl of clean, cold and fresh drinking water in the garden. Installing shallow water features or sprinklers also gives them a chance to cool down.
Avoid artificial grass or asphalt, as these materials can become overheated, which can burn your dog's paws in the summer. Planting trees and shrubs also provides shady areas for dogs to relieve the sun.
Kennels provide shelter from rain and wind, and also provide insulation to keep dogs warm in cold weather. Benchmark Kennels sells a range of sheltered, insulated and spacious outdoor kennels that you can customize to fit your dog's size, shape, breed and personality.
3) Make your puppy happy
If your dogs get bored, they may exhibit destructive behavior and take their frustration out on your flowers and lawn. To make your garden a fun environment, create: - Play areas with toys - Obstacle courses with tunnels, balance beams and jumping obstacles - Clearly defined patrol and exploration paths - Designated digging areas with non-toxic sand
Keep an eye on your dogs while in the garden to make sure they don't get into mischief. In addition, play games with your dog to deepen your bond.
4) Protect your lawn
If your dog urinates on the lawn, it can cause unsightly brown patches. To avoid such accidents, create a designated toilet spot in your garden for their use. If they do have an accident on the grass, spray the lawn with water to minimize damage.
5) Check if the plant is non-toxic
Avoid plants and flowers that are harmful to dogs, such as daffodils, lilies and wisteria. Dogs that have eaten toxic plants may experience vomiting, diarrhea and skin irritation, requiring immediate medical attention.
While consuming large amounts of any plant can harm canines, there are some low-risk options, including fennel, sunflower and rosemary.
Also, use organic gardening products rather than toxic chemicals. If you do use chemicals, keep your dog out of the garden for a few days afterwards. Lock up garden sheds, as they often house sharp tools and chemicals.
Making these changes will allow your dog to benefit from being outdoors without getting hurt and damaging the garden.