| There is no reason why you can't have both a | | | | recommend using hardy native species that do well in |
| beautiful garden and a happy, healthy dog who | | | | your growing area. |
| enjoys spending time in your outdoor living space. | | | | The reason you want to consider native plants is |
| The trick is to match your landscaping with the habits | | | | because they have already proven they are hardy |
| and behavior pattern of your pet and thereby | | | | and sturdy enough to thrive in your area. This means |
| creating a dog friendly garden. Here are solutions to | | | | they can handle pretty much anything that is thrown |
| three common landscaping problems as they relate to | | | | at them, like weather extremes and yes, the habits |
| your dog... | | | | of your dog. |
| First, it is best to recognize you will probably need to | | | | Another suggestion is to take note of your dog's |
| make a few adjustments to your gardening and | | | | running, walking, and territorial plants. We lived in a |
| landscaping plans if you are bringing a dog into the | | | | yard with a fence and noticed our dog liked running |
| family. Over time, it is reasonable to expect your dog | | | | up to and along the fence. As such, we removed and |
| will adjust to your garden. But off the get go, you | | | | relocated the plants we had there into other areas of |
| should plan to be flexible. | | | | the yard. |
| Three of the most common gardening and | | | | Dirty Paws Equals Dirty Home |
| landscaping issues when owning dogs are brown | | | | This problem is a little messier! And a little more |
| spots, trampling your plants, and bringing dirt into | | | | complicated too. |
| your home. Let's take a look at how to solve each | | | | But there is a solution. If you have soft landscaping |
| so you, your pet, and your garden can happily co | | | | that tends to get muddy and dirty, your pet will |
| exist... | | | | inevitably track it inside. One solution is to restrict |
| Removing Brown Spots | | | | your dog's access to particularly muddy areas by |
| Female dogs have a large concentration of nitrogen | | | | creating a barrier, like a wooden fence or landscape |
| and salt in their urine, and that's what causes brown | | | | barrier. |
| spots on your lawn. The problem is not as common | | | | If this is impractical, you have two choices. The first |
| with male dogs, but they can damage certain types | | | | is to train your dog to avoid certain areas of your |
| of shrubs. | | | | yard or garden. If this too is impractical, consider |
| The best way to remove the brown spots is to flush | | | | hardscaping. |
| them with a garden hose. While impractical, it does | | | | Hardscaping is the use of rocks or mulch in place of |
| the job. A better idea is to ultimately train your dog | | | | grass and soil. You can still plant certain species in |
| to do their duty in a designated area. We | | | | mulch; drought resistant plants are best. |
| recommend planting an area of clover grass, which | | | | Summary |
| won't stain, and training your dog to eliminate in that | | | | Having a dog can be challenging in terms of |
| spot. A mulch are that is easy on your dog's paws is | | | | maintaining your garden and landscaping. But most |
| another practical solution. | | | | problems can be resolved through proper training or a |
| Plant Trampling | | | | little advance planning and flexibility. Follow these tips |
| Luckily, the solution to your dog trampling plants with | | | | to create a dog friendly garden that both you and |
| their boisterous behavior is rather simple. We | | | | your pet will love! |