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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/04/2008 09:14 AM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 02/04/2008 09:30 AM
Expires: 01/01/2013 12:00 AM
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"Don't Let Your Dog Destroy Your Yard"~By Ken Churches
Many people who are avid gardeners are also avid pet owners. Pets and people enjoy being outside together, but the exuberance of an active dog can quickly destroy the structure and beauty of a garden. But with some careful planning and consideration, pets and the garden can coexist peacefully....
Keep obedience training first and foremost. If your dog is totally out of control, none of the following suggestions will help. If a dog can learn that the sofa is off-limits, it can learn that particular areas in the garden are also off limits. A little behavior training goes a long way. Spend some time working with the pet before redoing the entire landscape.
Plant thickly. If the flowerbed looks full and thick, it will be less inviting, and the pet will be less likely to enter. Dense planting is also beneficial for weed control and water conservation. Delineate areas off-limits to your dog. Low fencing may be helpful, even though it provides more of a mental barrier than a physical barrier. It helps delineate the dog-appropriate areas to your pet. A short shrub border may also serve this purpose.
Create dog friendly paths. Many dogs, particularly those that like to run or course, such as greyhounds, will do very well if given their own running path. There is the risk that your canine may choose another path, and you may have to give in to its location and landscape around it accordingly. Conversely, sharp gravel or hazelnut shells may deter some of the smaller or tender-footed dogs from using some paths.
Set aside an area to let dogs be dogs. Delineate an area where digging and roughhousing are allowed. Sledding type breeds like huskies like to dig down into cool soil to sleep. Many dogs like to watch their world from a vantage point. Give them an elevated spot to relax. Grow tough grass. Plant a type of grass that can take abuse, such as that used on playgrounds. Seeded lawns are generally more durable than sod, as the roots penetrate more deeply.
Choose resilient plants. Soft textured but tough plants such as ornamental grasses, sword ferns and heathers can handle some wear and tear. Include an elimination area in your design. A dog can be taught to eliminate in a particular area, preferably on gravel or wood chips. Disease control for the pet will be easier and the rest of your lawn will not suffer from urine scalding.
This article adapted from Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, USDA. Please contact the Farm Advisor’s office at cdcalaveras@ucdavis.edu or 754-6477 with your agricultural questions. Talk to a certified Master Gardener every Wednesday, 10:00-12:00, 754-2880.
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