Bringing home a puppy fills your home with joy, wagging tails, and adorable chaos, but before your new puppy bounds into your life, you have to get your home ready. More than that, you have to get your yard ready.
Your yard should be safe, clean, and welcoming for your puppy. Puppies are naturally curious and packed with energy. If you fail to puppy-proof your backyard, that curiosity can lead to trouble, such as chewed plants, accidental injuries, or letting your puppy escape.
Proper planning and simple changes can create a backyard and front yard that keeps your pup happy, healthy, and out of mischief.
Clean up
Start with a clean-up. Before anything else, give your yard a thorough clean-up.
Those fallen leaves, twigs, pinecones, and other debris can seem harmless if you’re not using the yard much, but they can pose choking hazards to an inquisitive puppy. Then they can become chew toys, which can result in upset stomachs.
That’s where a leaf vacuum comes in handy. Instead of blowing or raking the leaves into piles, which your puppy may think is an excellent game. A leaf vacuum makes it easy to remove them as quickly and efficiently without scattering allergens or debris.
Keeping the grounds clear will make your yard look tidy, reducing the temptation for your new puppy to dig or chew on unwanted material.
Secure the perimeter
Make sure that your perimeter is secure. Secure fences are non-negotiable for a dog-friendly yard.
Even the little pups can become escape artists if given the opportunity.
Check for gaps, holes under the fences, or loose boards. The last thing you want to do is to let your puppy out for their morning business only to find them gone.
Ensure the bottom of your fence is flush with the ground or reinforced with landscaping blocks to discourage digging.
If you’re not ready to install anything permanent, temporary options like pet playpens or portable fencing can give you the safe area your puppy needs to explore.
Eliminate toxic plants
Get rid of any toxic plants. A lot of common garden plants are poisonous to dogs.
Azaleas, lilies, daffodils, and some mushrooms can make your dog sick.
A quick audit of your yard and plants can remove any known dangers. Extension offices or online databases can help you identify unfamiliar plant types if you’re unsure exactly what’s in your garden.
This way, you can correctly assess their risk.
Don’t use chemicals
Stop using harmful lawn chemicals.
Before you bring your puppy home, it’s crucial to prepare the yard a few weeks in advance, avoiding using pesticides and chemical fertilizers that may keep your lawn looking good but are dangerous to your new pet.
Puppies are especially vulnerable because they’re low to the ground and prone to eating everything and licking their paws. If you need to treat your yard, opt for pet-safe alternatives and keep your puppy off the lawn during treatment.
Create a potty spot
Have a designated potty area. House training is so much easier when your puppy knows where to go, so designate a specific area of your yard for potty breaks, and you can train your puppy to use it.
In time, your dog will start associating that area with their bathroom time, saving your grass from burn spots and keeping the rest of your yard cleaner.
You could also buy special stones to help neutralize their urine and prevent burn spots in the grass.
Provide shade and water
Make sure that there is shade and fresh water. Puppies love to play, but they also tire quickly. In hot weather, they need somewhere to rest.
Ensure a shady spot where your pup can cool down, whether under a tree or a covered patio. You could even put out a pop-up canopy.
Use safe storage
Safely storing your tools and equipment is necessary when you have a pet.
Gardening tools and hoses, fertilizers, and even grills can pose risks to an adventurous puppy.
Store sharp or hazardous items in locked sheds or garages, and keep electrical cords out of reach. Coiled hoses and empty flower pots can become chew toys or, worse, choking hazards.
Therefore, tidying up the space is essential for both safety and organization.
Prevent digging
Install a digging deterrent. Some dogs are natural-born diggers.
If your new puppy is developing a habit of digging up your garden, don’t wait for it to become a significant issue and nip it in the bud early.
Chicken wire on mulching garden beds or natural deterrents like citrus peels in areas they like to dig can help deter them.
Consider creating a designated digging area filled with sand or soft soil where they can dig freely without harming the surrounding landscape.
To make it enjoyable, you can bury treats or toys in this zone, helping them learn that this is the appropriate place to dig.
Prevent boredom
Don’t let your puppy get bored.
To keep your puppy happy and engaged, stock your yard with dog-safe toys that encourage physical activity and mental stimulation.
Sprinkler systems, rope toys, or even treat-dispensing puzzles can provide hours of entertainment.
Provide supervision
Always supervise your puppy. Supervision is necessary even in a fully prepared yard, especially during the early weeks as your pup assimilates into your home.
Puppies need time to learn boundaries, behaviors, and safe places to explore, and you can give them that time.
You can gradually give them more freedom as they age and become more trustworthy, but until then, close supervision will help.
Act now to puppy-proof your backyard
Ensuring your backyard is a safe and welcoming space for your new puppy is essential for their well-being and your peace of mind.
By taking steps such as cleaning up debris, securing the perimeter, removing toxic plants, and providing designated areas for potty and play, you create an environment conducive to healthy exploration.
Additionally, using pet-safe products, providing shade and fresh water, and safely storing items will help prevent accidents and injuries.
Remember, a little preparation goes a long way in making your backyard a fun haven for your furry friend, allowing you both to enjoy all the joyful moments of pet ownership.
Jeremy Bowler is a full-time copywriter specializing in business and finance. He graduated from the University of Chester with business, accounting, and finance degrees. An avid traveler, Jeremy taught English in Nepal, Malaysia, and Japan. He has produced copy for prominent publications such as Neil Patel, Entrepreneur, and Metro.