How to Create the Ultimate Dog-Friendly Backyard
One of the best gifts you can give your pet is a large outdoor space where they can run, roam and play. Creating a dog-friendly backyard for your home is easy with inspiration from these five fun and affordable backyard ideas for dogs. Explore our tips to help you create the ultimate space for your four-legged friends.
A Spacious Yard
The first and most important part is ensuring your backyard is spacious enough for your pet to play. Dogs need anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours of exercise per day depending on the breed, so having a large area to run is a great way to keep them healthy.
To prevent excessive digging, find a tough, durable grass that thrives in Texas, like Kentucky Bluegrass or Bermudagrass. You can also avoid grass in some areas entirely and replace it with stones or mulch. Also, when landscaping, be sure to check the ASPCA’s list of toxic and non-toxic plants for pets before making your selection.
If you have enough space, you can also break the yard up into sections. For example, one part could be for exercise and fetch, and the other a designated bathroom area with pea gravel enclosed in a wooden pen, making cleanup a breeze.
The Right Fence
To keep your dogs from escaping the yard, you should also invest in a sturdy fence. Wood, chain-link and metal fences are affordable and durable options. Picket fences may work for small dogs, but a sturdier fence is ideal for larger breeds.
If you do not like the look of a fence but still want your dog to enjoy time outside without a leash, invisible fences are an effective option.
Shady Spaces
Dogs also need plenty of shade and relaxation, which is easy to provide with a covered patio. Turn this space into a rest station for your pet with plenty of water, a comfy bed, a bin filled with toys and more. Perry Homes’backyards come equipped with covered patios, but if your home does not have one, consider buying or building a doghouse instead!
Puppy Pool
During the summer, you will want to give your dog a place to cool off in the Texas heat. A plastic, child-sized pool will work just fine, but there is also a wide selection of backyard water toys designed specifically for dogs. Whether you choose a splash pad, sprinkler, fountain or mini pool, your dog will love making a splash and staying cool after playtime.
Obstacle Course
Test your dog’s agility with a makeshift obstacle course. You can create your very own puppy playground out of objects found around the home. Use a piece of wood or pipe as a hurdle, create a tunnel with a spare tire or place stakes in the yard as weave poles. Or you can purchase a course like this one for less than $100.
Every dog owner wants their pet to have a healthy, happy and active life. With simple ideas like these, you can transform your backyard into a paradise for your four-legged friend.
With ample space, covered patios and more, each Perry Homes property comes equipped with a dog-friendly backyard your pets will love. Explore our move-in ready homes in some of Texas’ most desirable neighborhoods and find the perfect home for you, your family and your furry friends!