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Made In The Shade: Designing a Dog-Friendly Garden

44% of all households in the United States have a dog and when we spend time outdoors, our dogs want to be with us. By planning shady areas using trees, shrubbery, and retractable awnings, a necessary oasis is created where dogs can cool down and get out of the sun. Dogs are playful and active; they need space to romp and have fun. When you're thinking of what will work in your garden, remember to also plan areas for rest and relaxation so your garden is a pleasure for you and your canine companions.

Natural Shade​​​​

Made In The Shade: Designing a Dog-Friendly Garden

An inviting garden design incorporates areas of comfort which often means shade. Trees and bushes can be an easy way to provide shade and for your dogs to provide them with cooling retreats. Plants in the garden need to be able to withstand the rigors of a dog's life while providing non-toxic shade and enjoyment. Woody shrubs tolerate aggressive pruning. Hawthorns, red-twig dogwood and crepe myrtle are perfect ways to fit the bill. They can be pruned into an appropriate size for your garden, the will withstand paws tamping the soil and bodies brushing against foliage. For larger trees, many hardy shade trees such as elm, oak and ash provide lots of shade for you and your dog.

Man-Made Shade

For a comfortable outdoor setting, you can design a shady harbor into your landscape design. This can come in the form of gazebos, decks, canopies and awnings. These can be made to blend in with other structures in your garden like decks and patios. As part of the landscape, shade structures, including retractable awnings, are a way to protect everyone in the garden from the sun and its harmful UV rays, as well as rain. If made of wood, they should be finished with a non-toxic paint or coating, especially in areas accessible by your dog using non-splintering wood. If you are building a deck that will also provide a resting place for your dog, make sure the any liners and/or mulch used to pad the the ground underneath it are non-toxic and non-splintering. Retractable awnings installed on buildings are also a good way to roll out the shade when necessary. Constructing a shady area is a good alternative to plants as a respite from weather of all kinds.

Most dogs love to bask outdoors and romp through the garden. With areas of play and coupled with areas of shade, the garden can be enjoyed by humans and animals alike. When designing a garden that is meant to be shared by the entire household, remember to build in areas of shade for your dogs to enjoy.

Author

Paul is an entrepreneur and marketer for the pet industry who works out of Chicago. He teaches people how to break free of the 9-to-5 grind by blogging for a living. Currently, Paul runs the 99PetCare along with the team of dedicated experts – so you know he has the knowledge to help you make the right choice.

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Braden Bills - June 17, 2019

I want to make sure that it’s safe to allow my dog to wander the garden. It makes sense that having areas of shade would be important! I’ll have an awning installed in my back yard. That way, there will be space for my dog to rest if it’s too hot out.

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Tyler Johnson - June 19, 2019

That’s a good idea to get a retractable awning to help protect you and your dog from the sun. I would think that it could get really hot for the dog running around with all their fur. I’ll have to consider getting one of those to help me and my dog cool down this summer.

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Braden Bills - June 24, 2019

I want to make sure that my garden is okay for my dog to be in for a while. It makes sense that he would need a shady spot to stay! I’ll see if I can have an awning installed so that there’s always space for him to rest in the shade.

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