• Dog Care
    • Choosing A Dog
    • Dog Breed Selector
    • First Days At Home
    • Good Dog Names
    • Invisible Fence Reviews
  • Food & Treats
    • Homemade Dog Treats
    • Human Food For Dogs
    • Kong Recipes
  • Dog Health
    • Flea And Tick Control
    • Diarrhea Remedy
    • Dog Dry Skin Remedy
    • Human Meds For Dogs
    • Predicaments & Warnings
  • Tricks & Training
    • Basic Dog Training Tips
    • Cool Dog Tricks
    • Behavior Problems
    • Potty Training Dogs
  • Fun Dog Stuff
    • Dog Gifts & Accessories
    • Dog Pictures
    • Dog Toys & Activities
    • Dog Videos
  • DIY Dog Grooming
    • Dog Odor & Stains
    • Dog Shedding & Fur
    • How To Clean Dog Ears
    • How To Give Dog Baths
    • How To Trim Dog Nails
    • How To Clean Dog Teeth
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

Dog Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

Shop Our Favorite Items
  • New Dog Owner Tips
  • DIY Grooming Tutorials
  • Dog Food Tips
  • Pet Warnings
  • Dog Training Tips
  • Pictures/Videos/Gifts
The Fun Times Guide > Dog Guide > Home & Garden > Puppy Care Tips For New Dog Owners > First Days At Home >

How To Dog Proof Your Yard: 6 Things You Should Do Right Away

If you’ve pet-proofed your home, then you have taken very important steps to ensuring the safety of your pet.

However, if you have not pet-proofed your yard yet, then your dog could still be in danger.

Here are all of the things you need to look for in order to make sure that your dog stays safe in your own backyard.

 

Dog Dangers In The Yard

#1 – There are many plants that are hazardous to dogs. Are they in your yard?

dogs-and-poisonous-plants

For example, foxtail grass — which is considered a weed — can release seeds that can get in your dog’s ears, eyes, and other crevices and can make your dog very sick.

Here are 20 common houseplants that may or may not be dangerous for your dog.  (Two of the more dangerous houseplants are Ivy and Norfolk Pine.)

 

#2 – Most pest control and lawn maintenance products are not safe for use around pets.

backyard-dog

Keep in mind, household toxins are more dangerous to pets than they are to people.

After any lawn treatments, be sure to keep your dog off the grass for 24 hours, or until you’ve had a good rain.

Better yet, try to avoid using chemicals on your lawn at all.  Look for natural lawn care alternatives instead.

Like small children, pets play close to the floor and ingest a limited diet — 2 factors associated with increased health risk of industrial chemicals. Source

 

#3 – Take the time to remove items that your dog can choke on or swallow.

dog-and-a-rock-by-U_and_Me.jpg

I had a horrible experience with river stones when my dogs were puppies.  One dog swallowed a handful of stones and while he eliminated most of them, 2 stones were caught in his intestines and nearly killed him.

Here’s a dog that needed surgery after swallowing a rock.

 

#4 – Along these same lines, be sure to dispose of outdoor pet toys that are broken or damaged because parts can break off and your dog can choke on them.

outdoor-dog-toys

In case you’re wondering, if your dog could die after chewing on a child’s stuff toy, here’s the truth?

 

#5 – Decorative water ponds can be as dangerous to small dogs and puppies as swimming pools are to kids.

They are difficult to get out of should the pet get in — because the plastic sides can be slippery.

yorkie-dog-at-water-pond-by-polepeople.jpg

Here is a sad story about such an incident.

 

#6 – Planning to leave your dog in the yard unattended? If so, be sure to install a sturdy fence that your dog cannot dig under, jump over, or squeeze through.

dog-peeking-under-fence-by-vee8.jpg

While an invisible fence can keep your dog in, it cannot keep other animals out, and can still cause potential problems for your pet.

To ensure your dog’s safety from unforeseen hazards, consider making a play area just for your dog.

For example, you could create a dog-run area in your yard that is safely fenced in.  This area would be free from unsafe plants, pesticides and other hazards, and could be a safe place for your dog to run , dig and play.  On one end of the dog run, place a dog house to protect your dog from the elements.  Make sure it is big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down in.

Here are more great tips for dogscaping your yard!

Andrea
Andrea

I have been a certified tightwad since I became pregnant with my first child and decided to find a way to stay home with him. I enjoy sharing my experiences in my journey back to financial health and planning for a future — which will include sending 2 kids to college and early retirement.

,

Filed Under: First Days At Home, Home & Garden, Puppy Care Tips For New Dog Owners Tagged With: Fences, Injuries And Emergencies, Landscaping, New Dog Owners, Pet Warnings And Dangers, Water Fun

MORE LIKE THIS ...

Free Dog Tips & Tricks via Email

Stay up to date with what's happening on The Dog Guide. From Dog Care tips & Dog Health issues to Tricks & Training tips and other Fun Dog Stuff... you'll always be the first to see these helpful tips as soon as we publish a new article.

We respect your email privacy

You Might Also Like…

Top Searches

Adoption/Rescue Dogs American Eskimo Dogs Baths Canine Cancer Car Rides Celebrity Dog Owners Chewing Cleaning And Odors Clothing And Accessories Cool Dog Stuff Costs And Expenses Diarrhea DIY Dog Stuff Dog Beds And Pillows Dog Breeds Dog Grooming Tips Dog Toys Dog Tricks And Training Feeding Tips Free Stuff Great Pyrenees Holidays Home Remedies And Alternative Medicine Humanizing Dogs Humor About Dogs Injuries And Emergencies Kong Dog Toys Labrador Retrievers Miniature Pinscher New Dog Owners Pet Hair And Shedding Pet Warnings And Dangers Pictures Of Dogs Poop Issues Recipes For Dogs Reviews Senior Dogs Sports Summer Fun Travel Dog Tips Treats And Snacks Veterinarians And Experts Videos Of Dogs Vomiting Walking And Leashes

Fun Times Guide logo

Copyright © 2004-2019 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap

Close