With some knowledge and a dash of imagination, you can create a yard that both you and your four-legged friends can enjoy. Most dogs love the great outdoors — it’s their natural environment. And even if you don’t have much space, with a little planning you can create an oasis for you and your canine companions. To begin the process, observe the behavioral patterns of your dog and take some clues from him. Where does he like to lounge, play and patrol? Just as important, where don’t you want him to go? Training your dog “not to garden” is a key element in successfully sharing spaces. Some breeds are more prone to digging behavior than others, but nearly all dogs need some sort of stimulating activity on a regular basis in order to keep them from pulling up your rose bushes or engaging in a similar destructive behavior. These tips should help you to engineer your space. Creature Comforts Make sure that there is an adequate source of fresh water outside for any dog. Whether you choose a bowl that fills automatically, or you refill it regularly yourself, be sure to keep it clean and in a shady spot. If your dog will be outside for more than a few minutes, provide a rest area where Fido can curl up out of the heat for a nap. Select some washable bedding that will make a comfortable place to lie down. An area designated for your dog’s waste should be incorporated into your outdoor design. Encourage him to eliminate in the same area each time. There are training aids — available at pet supply stores — to assist with this task. Border Patrol Provide a solid fence for the protection of all concerned. The height and materials will depend upon your landscaping and the type of dog. Terriers, for example, are masters at digging under a fence, where huskies and other working breeds are experts at vaulting an enclosure. If you have a sight hound (greyhound, saluki, borzoi, et al.), it would be a good idea to make sure that he can’t see through the enclosure. The instinct to chase anything that moves is extremely strong in that breed group, and you don’t want your dog plowing into a chain link fence because he spies a cottontail or a passing car. To discourage some of the worst escape artists, an underground wire mesh or deep concrete footing may need to be installed. Turf Wars Dogs and grass lawns aren’t always an ideal mix. Wear and tear marks and the yellow nitrogen spots are usually evident on natural turf, especially in a small space. Be aware that dogs can have skin allergies, too, and rolling on a real lawn may cause irritation. Consider all the tradeoffs before you make any landscaping investment. Real grass can have the benefit of being a cooler space for Fido to relax, but an artificial lawn is more resilient. Even so, some maintenance on faux-grass — such as cleaning and deodorizing it — is necessary. Canine College Teach your pet that some areas of the landscape are off limits. Be consistent with your training, keeping him on a leash until he learns the lay of his land. Even an older dog can learn new tricks when it comes to outdoor spaces. Always provide places that are okay for him to “garden.” Since most dogs love to dig, give him a spot for his favorite activity. Most of the best pet-friendly gardens have a “digging pit.” You can bury toys in the sand to stimulate his mind, but choose ones that will hold up to the outdoor environment. Also, keep in mind that neighborhood cats will see a sandy area as a giant litterbox, so you may have to clean up after them, too. Keep It Simple Informal gardens lend themselves more easily to a petscape design. Woody perennials need to tolerate pruning and stand up to your canine’s rougher play. Groundcover plants can make great accents for your flower beds. Put them along the edges of beds with less hardy species in the center. Mass plantings can discourage damage from romping. A border of ornamental grasses also will determine a boundary line. Some lush groundcovers make a soft area for lounging. Control any weeds; some, such as foxtail grass, have barbed seed heads that can be hazardous. Safety First A pet-friendly landscape that incorporates an organic approach is safer and healthier for the dogs (and cats) in your life, not to mention the added benefit to the environment. Avoid the use of chemical fertilizers that may be ingested. Make use of organic compost; it will be healthier for the plants because it conserves water on the roots and the nutrients slowly dissipate into the soil. Since dogs explore their surroundings with their noses and mouths, be sure that other mulches are dog friendly. Avoid rubber, twig or stone mulches that may be ingested and cause harm. Plants and the Pooch Non-toxic plants are a must for your garden. Toxic plants to avoid include: aloe vera; asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus); red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia gillesii); jimson weed (Datura wrightii, oleander (Nerium oleander); pencil cactus (Euphorbia milii); portulaca (Portulaca oleracea); dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum); and Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). Source: Realm, www.realmenvironments.com