Seattle, as you well may know, has more dogs than children. How crazy is that? I am a lifelong dog owner, with the exception of the years I lived abroad or in university, I’ve pretty much always had a dog. I love dogs. However….. I am not always mad keen about the canine effects on my beloved gardens.
Dogs vary. A Lot. I mean seriously – – A LOT. Not only in size, doganality (dog personality), general energy level, but in their ability to destroy things. We all know a dog like mine Gordon, who simply cannot uproot– well– anything, but Alice! If she gets in her head something needs to be dug up or trampled, there is not a lot to stop her.
DOGSCAPING (a word coined by a client, btw, that I LOVE) needs to consider the specific dog(s) you have and the landscape you desire. For example, some dogs ZOOOOOM and all they need is a defined wood chip path in a big figure eight with a few interesting things to leap over or hide behind and they are happy. Others ignore the garden all together except for the obvious biological needs of the day. While others will completely destroy a landscape if left unsupervised. A neighbor’s dog was left in the backyard and tore the bark off two trees up to about 4 feet. Why? Boredom. I seriously doubt either tree will survive. That is an extreme example of a highly intelligent dog without quite enough to stimulate his keen mind.
Dogscaping is a combination of training (dog and owner), as well as carefully considering specific elements to create an interesting, dynamic, beautiful environment for the pooch and the owner. Dogs, like children, don’t really get a lot of enrichment out of a big flat green lawn space. It is a fine place to poop and all but not so great for exploring and enrichment.
Choosing pet friendly plants is a good place to start. If you have a dog that eats everything (Lewie…..I’m talking to you) you’ll need to give very careful consideration to this. Plants that are attractive to dogs and poisonous are not super common. For example, Rhododendron for example, tough bitter leaves that don’t scream “Eat Me” to most animals. However, a lovely plant that I warn people about is Vitis vinifera or table grapes. Grapes, while not poisonous to all dogs, can be very dangerous to some and there isn’t a safe way to test unless you have a pocketful of sacrificial dog clones. Since that is gross and unethical, I suggest people not plant grapes and if they have them, to restrict access. Most ornamental grasses are fine (exceptions are grass palm and cordyline; neither are particularly common for dogs to be attracted). My dogs love to eat common grasses especially in spring. They both love to. Of course there are lots of edible plants that you don’t have to worry about at all. A short list: marigolds, fuchsia, magnolias, dahlias, sunflowers, roses, and of course lots of veggies are fine, tomatoes, broccoli, peas, pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, huckleberries, and a favorite of Gordon’s, Pac Choi. Don’t ask me why.
Disclaimer: This is far from an exhaustive list and mileage may vary dramatically.
Structures or hardscape elements are the bones of any design. Where are we going to have our zoomies? Where can I dig or hide or lounge or guard? Stonehenge is the “Pee-Mail” capital of the world. I am convinced a dog owner designed it as a communication center for her very large canine companions. Boulders not only provide a great place to share information but also a boundary to remind Fifi to slow down and not plow through and trample a garden bed. They provide context in the garden, a visual barrier, and a thing to climb and defend (Think King of the Mountain). Horizontal logs provide a similar service in the garden. They can define the space, be a bench, and a thing to climb.
A friend of mine has trained her dog to dig only in one part of the back yard. It is pretty amazing. She hides treats in the space and this very active dog finds them. Brilliant. Digging boxes like sand boxes are an easily built addition.
Water features are not only great for dragonflies and birds, provide a calming sound and are beautiful, but they provide enrichment for your pup! This can be as simple as a circulating fountain or a pond. I LOVE water somewhere in the gardens.
Agility equipment, if you have a herding breed can be incorporated into a well planned garden.
- Tough groundcovers. Depending on the dog, you need clover, Dog Park blend lawn seed, mulched or gravel paths. Generally, dogs are really like us. They love texture and love to explore.
- Lastly, a shady and a sunny place to lie down and watch us humans do the weird things we do.
Dogs love to be with their people. Designing a dogscape for both you and your dog involves thoughtful planning and creative use of space. With a good design, your garden can create a safe, interesting place for you and your pooch.
This is just a teaser to get you thinking about the miriad of possibilities. I don’t want to hear anyone saying, I need a lawn because I have a dog. Don’t be satisfied with a boring landscape when you can create something beautiful and functional for you and your pet.