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As the seasons change, we tend to spend more time outside in the garden - with the pooch in tow, of course! You may think that since you’re in the comfort of your own home, your dog will be completely safe snoozing outside, but hazards can be found everywhere, including our patios, shrubs, lawns, and of course, swinging back gates and unsuspecting holes in fences can provide a plenitude of escape routes.
So how can we distract the dog from poking their noses into dangerous places? Read on for our top tips on what dangers to consider and how to keep your dog safe in the garden.
Whether your garden is big or small, there are hazards to be aware of when it comes to your pooch’s outdoor safety.
Many plants are poisonous to dogs if eaten, and as dogs are known to munch on whatever they can find out of curiosity, this can clearly pose a danger.
The most common garden flowers that are toxic to dogs include
If your garden has an oak tree, fallen acorns are also toxic if eaten. Read through our article on plants and flowers that are toxic to dogs to learn which are the most risky to have in your garden.
Although your dog sees your home as their stomping ground, they share your garden with a couple of other creatures.
Mice, rats and other rodents (particularly dead ones) might carry diseases and prove a toxic meal for a dog, as well as dead birds, toads and frogs. Animal poop such as from foxes and cats should also be avoided!
If you suspect your dog has eaten any animal poo or dead animals, be sure to contact your vet.
When near fox poo, whether out on a walk or relaxing in your garden, you will often find that your dog will all of a sudden begin to rub themselves and roll around in it, making bath time imminent. Dogs are drawn to fox poo due to their strong sense of smell, and whilst we're unsure on the definite reason why they love to roll around in it, some believe it's due to ancestry instinct to mask themselves from predators, to mark their territory and simply because they love to do it! (To every dog owner's dismay).
Squirrels are like a dog’s kryptonite, and will have them darting mindlessly up trees, across thorny bushes and potentially out into a road. The same applies to other dogs and cats which may be passing by your garden - they can prove a dangerous distraction if your dog isn’t the most placid of pooches.
Bees, ants' nests and wasps can also cause harm if you don’t keep your pooch close and in your line of sight while in the garden. Whilst swollen paws and faces may look comical, wasp stings can be serious for your dog, so be sure to take them to the vet to be sure.
A garden is a prime location for thorny stems, splintered wood, sharp rocks, or moss-covered pebbles that can easily be slurped up and swallowed. There’s also the chance of broken glass, stepped-on toys and other shattered materials that may have come from kids, people on the street or your neighbours.
If your dog likes to hang out in the garden, be sure to brush up any dangerous debris to avoid any foreign objects been swallowed or getting stuck in paws.
Garden tools and chemicals can be pretty dangerous. Not only are a lot of the tools sharp, but poisonous weed killers and insect and pest repellents have the potential to harm or even kill your dog if consumed. Be sure to store away any dangerous tools and take the right precautions if using any toxic chemicals. Any of these items left hanging around the garden can pose a danger to your wandering, sniffing pooch.
Ponds with deep water and/or tempting fish swimming around can be dangerous if your dog falls in and can’t get out, whilst algae-covered or stagnant water can make your dog sick if they drink it. If you do have a body of water in your garden, be sure it’s properly protected, to practice outdoor water safety precautions and that your dog is not left alone.
Gardens can be hard to maintain, especially when they’re big and have awkward hidden sections. Broken, old or half-finished garden projects and holes in sheds, walls or fences create areas in which dogs could squeeze through and get stuck or provide hidden escape routes into the street that they may explore when your back is turned.
Gardens with gates and direct access to the streets outside should also be considered, especially those that don't sit flush with the floor. Consider blocking off any gaps to deter pooches from making a quick getaway!
So with so many things that could take a relaxing time in the garden to a hazardous nightmare, what safety measures can we put in place to make sure our lovely pooch stays safe? Here are some easy ways to dog-proof your garden.
Scan your garden before letting your dog out. Before your dog gets their curious snout into everything, get there first by wandering around and clearing your garden of hazards like dangerous debris, wildlife remnants or poo.
Try not to leave your dog unsupervised. It can be tempting to leave your dog to wander, but it’s much safer to keep your dog in your line of sight when they’re having garden time.
Whether you’re hanging up clothes to dry, pruning your rose bushes or just relaxing at your patio table, be sure your pooch is close to you or in view so you can assess whether they’re close to danger, especially if you have bodies of water in the garden or open gates.
Work on their recall for emergencies. If you’re going to trust your dog to explore the garden, be sure they’re highly trained in coming back to you on command. They should look up to the sound of their name, stop what they’re doing instantly and return to you when you tell them to. This will come in handy if they’re nosing or digging somewhere they shouldn’t.
For expert guidance on teaching your dog recall, check out our trainer video! The main tool for successful recall are high reward treats. Be sure to shop our wide range of functional, probiotic, meaty treats that taste good and do good!
Assess and corner off risky areas. If your pooch is a bit too curious, keep risky areas of the garden fenced or cornered off. You can cover toxic shrubs in netting, put up wire fencing or even have an entire zone that has a short gated fence around it - protecting things such as a pond, flowers you don’t want touched, or the base of an oak tree. Eventually, your pooch will know not to enter these zones and hopefully ignore them.
Keep walls and fences high. The periphery of your garden should be dog-safe, meaning there’s a secure wall or fence that they won’t be tempted to jump over. If this isn’t the case, be certain your pooch is highly trained and will come to you on command before you let them free in the garden without a lead.
Create a dog-safe zone. If you can’t help but have aspects of your garden that aren’t dog friendly, your dog could have an area of the garden that is set up just for them, with a garden-friendly bed or mini gazebo, food and water bowl, dog toys and blankets. If they get used to enjoying this personal area when outside, they hopefully won’t be tempted to wander into restricted zones. If you have a puppy, you could even set up a playpen full of puzzle toys to occupy them.
Distract with treats and chews. Keep your dog occupied while you’re gardening with some healthy dog treats. Chewing is proven to release dopamine for a dog and have them feeling calm, so a long-lasting chew (like our fish hide dog chews with chamomile and lavender - nature’s relaxants) can be the ideal way to keep your pooch entertained.
Grow dog-friendly plants. Ideally, if you want your dog to enjoy your garden freely, don’t grow plants or flowers that are toxic to them. Dog-friendly plants include roses, sunflowers, pansies and marigolds, as well as herbs like basil, lavender, chamomile and thyme.
Buy pet-safe gardening products. Though some gardening products (rat killer, for instance) are extremely toxic, and should be kept out of a dog’s reach at all costs; you can buy or make pet-safe alternatives for other garden treatments such as fertiliser, weedkiller, mulch and pest control. Check labels for the phrase ‘pet-friendly’ or research into ways to garden using natural ingredients, and you could be surprised by how much you find.
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