How to Create a Stylish Dog-Friendly Backyard in the City
Follow this expert advice to make the most of your petite plot for you and your four-legged friend
Even if you live close to a park or other green space, chances are your pup (and you) will still rely on your urban backyard for playtime, napping or between-walk bathroom breaks. “I’ve had a lot of instances where clients want me to consider their dogs,” landscape designer Georgia Lindsay says. “They often want a stylish space, but one that works with the dog in mind.”
We spoke with Lindsay as well as designers Amanda Shipman and Laara Copley-Smith on how to create outdoor spaces that pets and their owners can both enjoy.
We spoke with Lindsay as well as designers Amanda Shipman and Laara Copley-Smith on how to create outdoor spaces that pets and their owners can both enjoy.
Choose Soft Flooring for Hardscape
Amanda Shipman suggests forgoing a lawn entirely, and Laara Copley-Smith says, “I’ve had clients with dogs that have had no grass at all.” But what are suitable alternatives for you and your pup?
Copley-Smith suggests decking if you want a paved area; it’s soft enough for a dog to comfortably lounge on and also allows water to drain away. You can choose from a variety of wood and decking materials, including recycled deck boards.
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Amanda Shipman suggests forgoing a lawn entirely, and Laara Copley-Smith says, “I’ve had clients with dogs that have had no grass at all.” But what are suitable alternatives for you and your pup?
Copley-Smith suggests decking if you want a paved area; it’s soft enough for a dog to comfortably lounge on and also allows water to drain away. You can choose from a variety of wood and decking materials, including recycled deck boards.
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Gravel, on the other hand, is a material you may want to avoid. “It can get stuck in the pads of their feet,” Lindsay says. Instead, she recommends resin-bound aggregate, shown here, as a permeable hardscape alternative that will also stay in place. “It provides a bit of cushioning and can easily be hosed down,” she adds. “I think it looks really great for paths — you can create interesting curves and get lots of different colors.”
If you choose this material for your yard, do not attempt the project on your own. “It’s quite a specific process, and it needs a professional to lay it,” Lindsay says.
If you choose this material for your yard, do not attempt the project on your own. “It’s quite a specific process, and it needs a professional to lay it,” Lindsay says.
Make It Escape-Proof
Before introducing a dog into your household, Shipman advises, ensure that your boundaries, fences and gates are secure. She recommends periodically checking the perimeter as well.
That said, Shipman adds that it’s a good idea also to consider other small animals that may use your backyard or live in your house. “Create cat or hedgehog bolt-holes at the base of your fences,” she says. Be careful of creating holes in the fence if you have a very small dog or if the ground below could be dug up by a determined dog as an escape route.
Before introducing a dog into your household, Shipman advises, ensure that your boundaries, fences and gates are secure. She recommends periodically checking the perimeter as well.
That said, Shipman adds that it’s a good idea also to consider other small animals that may use your backyard or live in your house. “Create cat or hedgehog bolt-holes at the base of your fences,” she says. Be careful of creating holes in the fence if you have a very small dog or if the ground below could be dug up by a determined dog as an escape route.
Give Them a Space of Their Own
Another idea is to tuck away a little zone where your pup can “use the bathroom” in peace. “I recently did a consultancy for some people with a dog,” Copley-Smith says, “and that was part of the brief. Their dog was trained to use a specific place.”
This is easiest, of course, if your dog is a puppy, but with consistency, some older dogs can learn new tricks too. If you can screen off a little area with a bit of trellis or shrubs, so it’s out of sight, all the better. Sweet-smelling plants nearby won’t hurt, either.
Choose a surface that’s easy to clean, and make sure the hose can reach it, so you can rinse it off.
Another idea is to tuck away a little zone where your pup can “use the bathroom” in peace. “I recently did a consultancy for some people with a dog,” Copley-Smith says, “and that was part of the brief. Their dog was trained to use a specific place.”
This is easiest, of course, if your dog is a puppy, but with consistency, some older dogs can learn new tricks too. If you can screen off a little area with a bit of trellis or shrubs, so it’s out of sight, all the better. Sweet-smelling plants nearby won’t hurt, either.
Choose a surface that’s easy to clean, and make sure the hose can reach it, so you can rinse it off.
“Many clients have requested a digging zone,” Lindsay says. The aim is to encourage the dog to dig solely in this designated area (well away from beautifully planted beds like the ones shown here, of course). “You can bury some interesting toys that have a smell and encourage the dog to dig in that area. Keep burying new things, and train them to dig for them there. Obviously, though, it does depend on the pet whether they’ll comply,” she adds.
Keep Them Cool
Most dogs love to lie about in the summer sunshine but, advises Shipman, do provide plenty of dappled shade to protect them from the harshest rays. “And keep a deep plant pot saucer filled with water,” she adds. It’s a great way to keep at least one doggie accessory in tune aesthetically with your yard.
Shade can be hard to create in small backyards without the space for mature trees. Lindsay suggests trees that will easily grow in pots, and in particular recommends maples (Acer spp.). “They’re small and form quite a low shade. They’re also very safe for dogs in case they munch on any of the leaves.”
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Most dogs love to lie about in the summer sunshine but, advises Shipman, do provide plenty of dappled shade to protect them from the harshest rays. “And keep a deep plant pot saucer filled with water,” she adds. It’s a great way to keep at least one doggie accessory in tune aesthetically with your yard.
Shade can be hard to create in small backyards without the space for mature trees. Lindsay suggests trees that will easily grow in pots, and in particular recommends maples (Acer spp.). “They’re small and form quite a low shade. They’re also very safe for dogs in case they munch on any of the leaves.”
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Choose Pet-Friendly Plants
It’s important to avoid adding any plants that could be toxic to dogs. Varieties that require a lot of slug or snail protection are also not ideal choices in a pet-friendly yard, Lindsay says. Both the creatures and preventative pellets are toxic to dogs. So how do you avoid them? “Having lots of tender plants is not a good idea,” she says, “but varieties such as salvia [seen here] are great — snails don’t like them, and they’re safe for dogs if they eat them.”
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It’s important to avoid adding any plants that could be toxic to dogs. Varieties that require a lot of slug or snail protection are also not ideal choices in a pet-friendly yard, Lindsay says. Both the creatures and preventative pellets are toxic to dogs. So how do you avoid them? “Having lots of tender plants is not a good idea,” she says, “but varieties such as salvia [seen here] are great — snails don’t like them, and they’re safe for dogs if they eat them.”
Garden Alert: 22 Plants to Keep Away From Pets
Lindsay says that slugs also tend to stay away from avens (Geum spp.), a plant whose orange flowers are seen in this photo. She adds that plants with slightly furry leaves, such as geraniums, tend to be ignored; plants with soft leaves, such as lettuce or cosmos, often attract snails and slugs.
Lindsay also recommends red-hot poker (Kniphofia spp.) in a dog-friendly yard. It has “a base like agapanthus but with these bright orange flowers that come out of the top,” she says. These plants are both safe for dogs to eat and unappealing to snails and slugs.
Plant Strategically
What dog wouldn’t want to climb into your carefully tended flower beds for a snooze under the cover of a couple of shady shrubs? Flattened flowers can be a recurrent frustration for dog owners with green thumbs.
Lindsay suggests planting strategically, not to deter pets as much as to withstand them. “Plants such as herbs are great for dogs,” she says. “Things like low-growing thyme are so robust, a dog could lie all over it and it’d be fine. Also try chamomile and mint.” Lemon balm, part of the mint family, is another option to consider.
Rosemary, the designer adds, is also really robust, and not as comfy, so it might even double as a deterrent.
What dog wouldn’t want to climb into your carefully tended flower beds for a snooze under the cover of a couple of shady shrubs? Flattened flowers can be a recurrent frustration for dog owners with green thumbs.
Lindsay suggests planting strategically, not to deter pets as much as to withstand them. “Plants such as herbs are great for dogs,” she says. “Things like low-growing thyme are so robust, a dog could lie all over it and it’d be fine. Also try chamomile and mint.” Lemon balm, part of the mint family, is another option to consider.
Rosemary, the designer adds, is also really robust, and not as comfy, so it might even double as a deterrent.
Alternatively, you could endeavor to keep your dog out of your flower beds. Copley-Smith suggests dense, clipped plantings. If maintenance is your strong suit, consider a topiary border. “Grow very thick evergreen borders that will stop a dog getting in, as the planting is so dense,” she says.
If you have a small dog, Lindsay suggests using 30-inch-tall railroad ties — arranged vertically rather than horizontally — as a stylish way to protect borders. “They’ll look like an intentional part of the design, but will in fact create a border and screen it in a visually pleasing way,” she says. She also recommends using chicken wire as a deterrent, but only if you can hide it from view. “It can ruin the look of a garden,” she says.
If you have a small dog, Lindsay suggests using 30-inch-tall railroad ties — arranged vertically rather than horizontally — as a stylish way to protect borders. “They’ll look like an intentional part of the design, but will in fact create a border and screen it in a visually pleasing way,” she says. She also recommends using chicken wire as a deterrent, but only if you can hide it from view. “It can ruin the look of a garden,” she says.
Don’t Forget Your Front Yard
The front yard can also benefit from dog-friendly additions, especially those that involve going in and out of the house. “One client with a dog asked for a front garden tap, so they could hose down the hound after a muddy walk,” Lindsay says. “It’s a great idea if you’re renovating more widely.”
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The front yard can also benefit from dog-friendly additions, especially those that involve going in and out of the house. “One client with a dog asked for a front garden tap, so they could hose down the hound after a muddy walk,” Lindsay says. “It’s a great idea if you’re renovating more widely.”
More on Houzz
How to Design Your House Around Your Pet
Read more landscape design guides
Work with a landscape architect near you
Shop for outdoor products
The topic of artificial grass divides opinion, but it could be worth considering in an urban backyard with pets. “I’m of two minds about artificial grass, but in small spaces it can be really good,” Lindsay says. “People say it’s putting plastic into the environment, but it doesn’t require watering, nor weedkiller or pest control.” It can also be used in a shady spot that might where grass might not grow.
With pets, a small patch of artificial grass can be better at concealing where a dog has urinated than lawn, which yellows. “I suggest you use quite a short pile with dogs,” Lindsay says. Liquids soak through, solids can be lifted off and the whole area can be hosed down.
Lindsay has more tips for keeping the surface clean. “There are various subbases for artificial grass. Avoid a cushioned base, which can harbor smells,” she says. Instead, she suggests, choose a Type 1 aggregate to level the surface out at 3 to 4 inches deep, with 1 inch of granite dust on top. That way, any liquids will just drain through.
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