Tips for creating a dog-friendly outdoor space at home

A beautiful backyard for both you and your family to enjoy and for your dog to romp around in can be achieved in the same space. A little extra planning is all it takes.

Here are some things to consider as you look to redefine your backyard:

• Dogs need a place to go to the bathroom. In addition to choosing an out-of-the-way spot to avoid human foot traffic, a designated spot is quicker and easier to clean up. Once this area is chosen, start creating your dog-friendly design with hardscape - pathways, patios, fencing and edging.

If your dog already has a path worn in the yard and it, is not offensive to the design, make it permanent and accentuate it with plants. It will take more work to redirect your dog to a new path that's more pleasing to the landscape design, but it can be done with patience and training.

• Choose paw-friendly materials to create paths and patios - brick, pavers, concrete or smooth rocks. Rough or sharp-edged flagstones can cut paws. If you already have a wood deck in a sunny location, put down some outdoor rugs. Wood planks, soaked in sunshine, can be very hot on dog's (and people's) feet.

• A fence is a great way to give dogs freedom to run and play while keeping them safe. Choose any style of fence that suits your landscaping style. Just make sure it is tall and sturdy enough to keep your dog in.

A fence is also a beautiful backdrop for shrubs and perennials, but make sure to leave a space between the fence and the plants. Many dogs are territorial and will run back and forth along the fence, whether you want them to or not.

Instead of battling these natural instincts, utilize this space when you garden toward the back of the border - a win-win for a dog and his human.

• Choose nontoxic plants. I imagine most gardens already contain plants that are toxic to dogs to some degree. If eaten, those plants may cause vomiting and diarrhea for a short time; others are toxic enough to cause serious illness or even death. Take the time to do some research before planting, especially if you have a curious puppy.

There are a variety of ground covers ideal for planting between pavers, along paths or as an alternative to grass that don't mind a little foot (or paw) traffic. Irish moss forms a soft, mosslike carpet. It prefers part sun and moist soil. A variety of thymes are available. They require lots of sunshine and dry soil.

If you want to fill a large space with an indestructible ground cover, consider winter creeper. It grows in sun or shade and is adaptable to many soil types. Winter creeper is best grown without neighbors. It covers ground quickly, bullying any other perennials with which it is planted.

• Start training your dog to stay out of perennial and vegetable gardens by edging them so he knows where the gardens start. Small rocks and sections of edging that resemble miniature fences are good options; metal edging is not.

Sprays are also available with nasty odors or tastes that will discourage your pup from going in the garden. Stay away from repellents that contain urine, however. They may lure your dog into the garden instead.

Shrubs with prickly foliage or thorns may be planted to restrict your dog's movements. But be careful, as they will scratch you, too.

An organic mulch is useful in the garden to suppress weeds, maintain soil temperature and improve the soil as it breaks down. But do not choose cocoa mulch. It contains theobromine, the same ingredient in chocolate that is poisonous to dogs.

Finally, make sure there is a shady spot for your dog (and your family) to relax on a hot summer day. Shade trees for large properties or ornamental trees for small yards are the obvious choices, but shade can also be beautifully created with arbors or pergolas, too.

• Diana Stoll is the Practice Manager at Red Barn Animal Hospital with locations in Hampshire and Gilberts. Visit redbarnpetvet.com, or call (847) 683-4788 (Hampshire) or (847) 422-1000 (Gilberts).