Fun and engaging pet entertainment, non toxic mulch, and precautionary steps for your pet’s safety, are some things to consider if you want to make sure your pets have a safe and functional place outdoors. Do some research online to become familiar with some of the many plants which are poisonous to pets, without ignoring those plants which are edible vegetables for us people, but some of which are hazardous to the health of our pets. If you have a large property, it may be unpractical and expensive to fence off the entire yard, so you might be forced to fence off a portion of the property and let the dog play there safely. Don’t rely on a fence as being 100% effective, because some dogs particularly love the challenge of digging below the fence to escape, whilst others can easily squeeze through a narrow gap in a picket fence.
Barbara Finn’s adorable Gucci, looks perfectly at home in this garden environment.
Pets get from point A to point B in the garden similar to how we humans navigate. We prefer a walk or path. So do pets. If you are trying to keep pets, especially larger dogs from causing too much damage to your shrub beds, you’ll have to be sensible by planting trees, shrubs and perennials of at least some decent substance, and avoid tiny little plants which are likely to be trampled. Consider keeping annual flower beds off limits to dogs.
Unsightly brown spots on lawns which are caused by high concentrations of nitrogen in male and female urine can be avoided by flushing out the area with water, which will solve the problem, but will become a chore if it has to be done every single time. If you have dogs who love to dig in the garden, let them have a small area where they can dig in the dirt, or as a last resort consider a small sand pit for the very persistent digger, but be mindful that this could be an open invite for other cats from the neighborhood to come and dig too.
Have a fenced area like above where your pets can go “potty”, keeping your outdoor space clean for you and your guests.
The best way for keeping a garden where both animals and people can interact together is to have a designated area where dogs can do their business. A dog run, or fenced area is a good approach in this regard. This is a great technique which can be taught to your dog, not just reserved for puppies. You can, with a little persistence, train your dog to go potty in even the smallest of designated areas. When it’s time for a bathroom break, bring your dog outside to the chosen area and say in authoritative voice “Empty!”, or “Go Pee”. After a successful attempt, give a treat and lots of praise. If they don’t do as required, bring them back inside for 1/4 of an hour and then repeat the process. Continue this for two to three weeks until they’ve fully learned the process. If they are a little resistant, like on rainy days, don’t scold, just reinforce the technique until it is second nature.
The pet industry is an enormous $43billion in the U.S. People care a great deal for their pets, for many a good reason. Some of us even prefer our pets to some less favorable relatives. There is estate planning, and holistic practitioners for pets. We even design gardens, complete with underground explorative tunnels, and areas in which pets can be self entertained with interactive water jets which provide hilarious activity and so much fun opportunities for home videos of your pets playing. We’ve designed a pet garden for the brand new Camp BowWow, a day care facility with overnight boarding which recently opened here on Mercantile Ave in Naples. The garden will be a simple green space for doggies and owners to chill when they check in or check out. The walls will be adorned with colorful climbers, dog and people seating, a natural, decorative water feature which also acts as a drinking fountain, along with artistically designed plantings. Camp BowWow is the latest and greatest in doggie day care, with web cameras for curious owners, specialized camp councilors, indoor and outdoor play areas, comfortable kennels for 50 overnight borders and 100 day care dogs. However, there’s more. They even have an overnight suite, log cabin style, with plush bed and separate web cam.
Come to the all new Naples Botanical Garden twice a month to walk your dog with other like minded pet lovers for an opportunity to enjoy the splendid gardens, visit www.naplesgarden.org. For a limited time only, your dog can be a founder dog, funds from which help support the garden. For commercial entities, enquire about the various sponsorship opportunities available which offer more value than traditional marketing, and also support this worthwhile nonprofit.
Credits
Brendan Moran the garden artist, of Gardens By Brendan designs gardens, writes and lectures here in SWFL, the U.S and internationally, and lives here in Naples.