26 May 2016
With the weather starting to improve we are likely spend more time in the garden with our dogs. As owners we know what dogs can get up to but perhaps for a first time owner you may want to think about how your garden will stand up to a dog or puppy. We have listed below thing some things to look out for and changes that you may need to make in order to keep your dog safe and your home intact!
Ponds – Ponds and water features are lovely features but can potentially be very dangerous. If your dog can get into the pond make sure they can get out again, teach puppies to swim and provide shallow areas to help them climb out. Ideally you need to prevent them trying to get into the pond at all, the risk of drowning from not being able to get out due to being too deep or steep sided is high, plus some plants can be strong and tangle preventing the dog from getting out. Covering the pond with mesh or fence off the area will prevent the dog from trying to get in.
Poisonous plants and bulbs – Research what is in your garden, be sure to remove any plants that can be poisonous, if moving into a new home keep an eye out for any bulbs that may surface. Some relatively common bulbs can be dangerous, daffodils for example. Putting in fencing or smaller decorative barriers can help deter dogs and protect safe plants from digging or chewing.
Garage or storage – if your dog has access to the garage or storage areas check for loose wiring and sharp objects out of reach and clear up spills quickly such as paint or chemicals. Rat or mice poisons should be kept locked up, these can be fatal and you should seek immediate veterinary help if ingested. Pet safe container can be used to avoid this.
Gates and Fences – Never underestimate a dog, many breeds can jump much higher than you would have thought and for those that like digging, no gap is too small; make sure your garden is properly enclosed to avoid them getting out. Holes in fences should be fixed as soon as possible and fencing should be adequate for the dog breed. Ensure your dog is micro chipped and has a collar with ID tag just in case!
Digging – If your efforts to avoid digging haven’t worked, to avoid your garden being dug up you may want to consider building or creating an area where your dog can happily dig without destroying the garden. Try hiding toys in a sand pit.
