Three Dog-Friendly Landscaping Ideas That You Should Know About

If you're like most people who share your homes with a canine companion, you may already know that dogs can be destructive when it comes to outdoor living spaces — and it's no fun suddenly discovering that your favorite plants have been dug up by your dog or that your lawn is in tatters because of your furry friend. Fortunately, strategies exist that are designed to help homeowners and their pets share their outdoor living spaces in harmony. Following are just three dog-friendly landscaping ideas that you should know about.  

Dog Paths

One of the biggest complaints among homeowners with dogs is that their furry friends usually wear a trail through their yard and garden areas. Dogs are naturally territorial, so go with the flow and incorporate these trails into your landscape design so that everyone wins. You don't have to settle for worn-down dirt paths, though — use pea gravel or pavers for definition and polish. If you live in an area where summer temperatures are routinely above 80 degrees, light-colored pavers don't absorb heat as well as their darker counterparts, so using those will help minimize the chances of the bottom of your dog's feet from getting burned while walking on them. 

Designated Dog Areas

Dog waste contains high amounts of nitrogen, which can cause your lawn to turn yellow, and in extreme cases, to die back altogether. Providing a designated dog area not only prevents this from happening, but it also minimizes the chances of you and other household members or guests stepping on unpleasant surprises. Besides an area designed for your dog to relieve itself, the designated dog area should have a dog drinking fountain or at least a bowl that can be quickly filled with fresh water and a doghouse or other shelter from the elements. If your dog loves to dig, provide a sandbox for that purpose, and consider adding a wading pool if your dog enjoys splashing in the water on hot summer days. 

Dog-Friendly Lawn Grass

Even with its own designated area and paths, your dog will undoubtedly spend some of its time outdoor romping on the lawn — after all, it's hard to resist the feeling of velvety-soft lawn grass beneath your paws or feet. You can keep your lawn looking good by planting dog-friendly lawn grass such as perennial ryegrass, fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass. Keeping your lawn healthy will further minimize any damage that your dog may cause. Please contact your local custom  landscaping service for more information on cultivating and planning an outdoor landscape that meets the needs of all of your household members.

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