Create A Landscape Your Pets Will Love and Respect
Have fur babies that love their yard but don’t quite understand how to enjoy it safely AND respect it? We’re here to walk you through some tips and tricks to create a space that is both pet-proof and pet-friendly. Let’s get started —
training
As obvious as this one may seem, training your pet will always be the key to co-existing in harmony. You don’t have ultimate control over where your pet wanders, however, training them on which areas are open to them versus off limits is effective. It is time-consuming to establish these expectations, but it pays off in the long run. If you feel your pet is too much for you take on on your own, try enrolling your pet to an obedience class. Better yet, if they’re young, they tend to be more trainable. Regardless of age, through repetition and consistency, you can train any dog (we have hopes for your cats, too). *Tip: As you are training, supervising your pet is important so you can see what their tendencies include (digging, chewing, stomping, etc.)
assert boundaries
Alongside intentional training, creating physically blatant boundaries will be immensely helpful; think fences, hedges,and gates as tools to reinforce your landscape boundaries. Don’t worry, these barriers don’t have to be eye sores! Their purpose can be two-fold: an eye-catching detail of your home and a partition that establishes rules. Plus, these barricades are also a way to implement safety; they can prevent your dogs from accessing dangerous spaces like an open street.
no boredom allowed
Playing can work in your favor! Including your dog in your garden projects by tossing around a ball or giving them some kind of attention is a great way to keep them occupied, entertained, and out of your gardens and unwanted areas. When dogs are bored, they are more prone to make a mess and be a nuisance.
pave the way
Another way to create clarity for your pets is to implement paved pathways throughout your outdoor living space. Large un-bordered areas can grey the boundaries and cause confusion with your pet. Consider laying down some concrete, flagstone, brick, bark, or anything of your choosing to establish pathways and around your lawn areas, set proper edging. Additionally, alongside these paths, you can plant trees, bushes, or any larger-scale plants that will more prominently bolden the barrier. Utilize this as an opportunity to incorporate some character into your personal space, too. Use a medium that compliments the look that already exists in your landscape.
give them a space to call their own
When it comes to your pets doing their business, you don’t want them going all over your beautiful yard that you worked hard for! A very achievable method to try out is to designate a spot for them to go to the bathroom. Better yet, to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible going to their spot every single time, shade the area! This will entice them to use that spot even in more intense weather conditions such as rain or harsh sun.
