5 PAWsome Backyard Design Ideas Your Dog Will Love
Having a backyard big enough for your dog to play in is truly a blessing for dog owners. None of us want to keep our furry friends locked up in the house all day, so having a space for them to run around and enjoy the outdoors a bit is a best-case scenario for both humans and pups. In case you’d like to spice up your backyard a bit and make it more fun for your dog, here are five backyard design ideas your dog will love.
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Doggy Decking
Doggy Decking is a backyard design idea that your dog will love. If built high enough, a deck gives your dog a nice place to chill under when the sun is hot. Wood vs composite decking is the main thing you’ll have to decide on here. Wood can be more beautiful naturally, but is prone to scratching, rotting, warping, and termite damage.
Composite decking, on the other hand, is much more resistant to doggy damage as well as insect damage and water damage. Your decision could come down to if your dog has claws, as well as a variety of other factors.
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Fencing
Another backyard design idea that your dog will love is fencing. Is your pup a “runner”—wanting to explore the neighborhood at her first opportunity? For this, among other reasons, fencing can be a great addition to your backyard. You’ll want to go with durable fencing that’s high enough to prevent your dog from jumping over it. Concrete fence posts work great here, just make sure your dog isn’t digging an escape route when you aren’t looking!
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A Fun Water Feature
Is your pup one of the many dog breeds that LOVE to play in the water? If so, adding a water feature is a backyard design your dog will love. There are several great options to consider: a swimming pool, a kiddie pool, a simple backyard fountain or a sprinkler system. If you go with a swimming pool, be sure you teach your pup how to get out of the pool. Of course, you’ll also need some backyard drainage to go along with all that splashing around. Yard drainage can be as simple as a rain garden, which will both drain your yard for you and supply water to whatever plants you grow in it. Other options include swale drains, trench drains, slot drains, and more.
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Pathways
Installing pathways for your dog to use will encourage them to do their doggy business in areas that you aren’t likely to step in. It also prevents them from trampling over any plants or flowers you might have. Dogs don’t like to step in their own poop either, so they will typically take to whichever area you set aside for them.
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A Playground
Creating a pup playground is a backyard design your dog will love. Putting up some tunnels, pipes, balance beams, and other obstacles for your dog is a great way to keep them entertained. You can even incorporate hedges or shrubs into the mix. This is a great option for those of us without a ton of space.
Keep Your Pups Happy Without Breaking the Bank
By using some, or all, of these backyard design ideas your dog will love, you can turn even a small backyard into a paradise for your dog. These ideas are relatively cheap, but your dog isn’t likely to care and will love you that much more for even putting in the effort.
Abi Pennavaria is a dog mom, avid volunteer vet, and co-author of Saved By The Bark blog. She enjoys sharing tips and tricks for dog owners of all breeds.
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