Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog of the Day: Oakley!
Meme of the day: The heartbreak!
Create an Outdoor Safe Haven For Your Pup
Welcome to March! Since spring is approaching quickly, we thought it would be a good time to consider ways to improve your yard for your favorite pup(s).
There’s nothing quite like watching your dog run freely, tail wagging, ears flopping, and eyes sparkling with joy in the comfort of your own backyard. Our furry friends love to sniff, dig, and explore, and having a secure outdoor space gives them the freedom to do just that. But how do you ensure your backyard is safe, fun, and dog-friendly?
With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can create the perfect outdoor haven where your pup can roam, play, and relax without worry. Here’s how to make your backyard a safe paradise for your four-legged companion.
Secure the Boundaries: Escape-Proof Your Fence
Dogs are natural explorers, and some are talented escape artists! To keep them safely contained you want to check for gaps or holes where they could squeeze through. Even small openings can be a tempting escape route!
It’s also a good idea to opt for a high fence—at least 6 feet for bigger breeds who love to jump. From there, you can prevent digging under the fence by placing buried chicken wire, large rocks, or landscape edging along the bottom.
For extra safety, consider a self-closing gate latch to prevent accidental escapes.
Remove Toxic Plants & Chemicals
Dogs are naturally curious, which often means tasting anything in sight. Unfortunately, some common backyard plants are toxic to our pups. Avoid or remove plants like:
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Azaleas
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Oleander
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Sago Palm
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Foxglove
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Tulips and daffodils (especially the bulbs!)
Instead, choose dog-safe plants such as sunflowers, marigolds, or lavender to keep your garden both beautiful and pet-friendly.
Also, be mindful of fertilizers, pesticides, and mulch—always opt for pet-safe alternatives and store any chemicals well out of reach.
Keep Your Dog Cool & Comfortable
Just like us, dogs need shade and fresh water to stay cool on warm days. To help you can plant trees or use a shade sail to provide relief from the sun. It’s also a good idea to keep a large, clean water bowl or a pet-friendly water fountain available at all times.
Create a Safe Play Zone
To keep your dog entertained, consider adding a soft grassy area for running and rolling, durable toys to keep them engaged, and a cozy doghouse or covered bed for resting after playtime. Keep in mind that some pups will opt to lay somewhere other than their bed if given the choice. What matters is that they’re given a choice!
For high-energy dogs, agility equipment like tunnels, ramps, or a simple obstacle course can make outdoor time even more exciting!
Digging Solutions for Curious Paws
If your dog loves to dig (hello, retrievers and terriers!), give them an approved digging spot instead of watching your flower beds disappear.
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Create a sand or dirt pit where they’re free to dig.
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Hide toys or treats in their digging zone to encourage them to use them.
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Praise them for digging in the right spot instead of scolding them for digging.
This way, your dog gets to satisfy their natural instincts—without destroying your garden!
Light Up the Night & Protect Against Wildlife
Proper lighting is essential if your pup enjoys nighttime potty breaks or play sessions. However, certain kinds of lights, especially those that stay on all the time, can be disruptive to native wildlife.
Even so, you can install solar or motion-activated lights to help your dog navigate in the dark. But, if you live in an area with potentially more dangerous wildlife (like coyotes), you should always supervise nighttime outings. If you have a small pup who could easily be carried off, you may want to invest in a vest like HawkShield or CoyoteVest.
Watch for Small Hazards
Dogs are like toddlers—they’ll explore with their noses and mouths! Regularly check your yard for things like sharp objects (nails, glass, rocks, etc.), loose wires, and unsecured garbage bins. These routine yard checks can keep wildlife safe, too! So it’s a win-win.
A Backyard Made for Wagging Tails
With a little planning and a few thoughtful changes, your backyard can become a true pup-aradise—a place where they can run freely, explore safely, and relax comfortably.
After all, there’s nothing better than watching your furry best friend enjoy the great outdoors in your own backyard.
Family Photo of the Day: Bellha!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we’ll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
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Sources:
Dog of the day: IG goldenretrieveroakleyy
Meme of the day: IG spotandtango