Ideas for Dog Areas in a Yard

Dogs enjoy spending time outside, but they do need some outdoor accommodations to ensure their safety and comfort. Whether you have an outdoor dog or your dog only spends recreational time in the yard, there are a few things you may want to consider when setting up a dog area in the yard. Once you have a few ideas for your dog's outdoor space, you can get started setting it up.

  1. Doghouse

    • If your dog spends more than an hour at a time in the yard, it is advisable to add shelter for it. Outdoor dogs especially should have a doghouse with a flap covering on the door. The flap covering will protect your dog from extreme heat and other weather elements that can be dangerous to his health. In addition, it is always wise to put something down to cover the ground inside the doghouse. Many people use straw, but it is important to make sure you remove old straw and freshen with new straw regularly.

    Water

    • It is always a good idea to make sure outdoor dogs have a source of water. Likewise, if your indoor dog spends more than an hour at a time in the yard, it should also have an outdoor water source. When adding water to a dog area in the yard, make sure the water is in a weighted or fixed dish. This will help prevent your dog from spilling the water and, thus, wasting his refreshment.

    Safe Foliage

    • It is essential that a dog's outdoor space be checked for dangerous foliage. Many of the things that grow naturally or that you plant in your yard can be poisonous to your pet pooch. Check the Humane Society or the ASPCA for updated lists of things that you should keep out of your dog's outdoor space.

    Outdoor Toys

    • Outdoor toys for your dog can help keep it busy and prevent boredom. Things like Frisbees, balls and toy dog bones make good outdoor dog toys. That said, it is important to make sure you remove your dog's toys from the outdoor area when they start to come apart. Likewise, it is wise to check outdoor dog toys to make sure they are in good condition before leaving your dog in the yard.