Creating a space in the yard for your pup can be one of the nicest things you ever do for your fur baby. Cute outdoor dog houses complete with a great safe area to run around is like heaven on earth for a pup.
It does not take a lot of effort to create a heavenly spot for your dog in the yard. Cute dog houses are widely available for purchase or for DIY. With a little bit of effort, you can easily create a great space for your pooch.
Let’s Get Started
Your first priority when you are creating a space in the backyard is to make safety a priority. You may have to do some land clearing to remove twigs, stumps, saw grass, large rocks, and more to ensure that space is clean and safe for your pup and to have room for cute outdoor dog houses.
You want to choose a space in the yard that is going to ensure that your pup is in a safe location and that offers plenty of room for a run and one of those cute outdoor dog houses. You will need to ensure that the space is prepped right to ensure that while your pup is outdoors in one of the cute outdoor dog houses you can rest easy knowing they are safe.
How can you make sure that you are taking all the steps that you need to, to keep your pup safe while they are enjoying the great outdoors? You have to think like a dog. In the area that you are considering are there:
- Grasses in the area? You may want to pull those up. Dogs will often chew on grass until they are sick. Getting that threat out of the way may be the right choice.
- Are there stones that may incite digging? Roots, stones, and other things stuck in the ground can be of great interest and cause unwanted behavior. You may have to dig down a bit to get them out of the way, but the work today will save you stress tomorrow.
- Make sure there are no plants that can be harmful to your pooch. A surprising number of plants are poisonous to dogs. You want to make sure you educate yourself on the dangers in your own yard and what you can do to prevent accidental ingestion.
Other things you want to remove from the space that your pet will be occupying is traditional yard debris. Leaves and other organic matter can rot and be a harbinger of bacteria and fungus. Clean it all up and get a debris removal service to haul it all away. You may be able to put the debris out on the curb.
Most garbage pickup companies offer yard debris pickup services on specific days or with an advance phone call. Call your company and see what they have to offer. While you are at it, it is a good time to get rid of any of the other things in the yard that could be potentially harmful to your pup. For example, old wire fencing, garden stakes that are laying around, and any other debris that can be a risk to your pet.
You Have It All Cleaned Up, Now What?
After you get the area all cleaned up, it is still not quite time to go shopping for one of those cute outdoor dog houses. You still have a few steps left before your pooch will be able to go outdoors on their own.
If you regularly spray your lawn or have a lawn spraying company come in to spray for pests, make sure you let them know that your pup will be spending time outdoors. Most companies offer pet-friendly treatment options. It is important that you keep up with the spraying activities because you want to keep the flea and tick population down.
Just let your residential pest control company know that your pup will be spending more time outdoors, they will be able to provide you with services that will keep your pet safe, and keep the insect population down at the same time.
You will need some sort of base (ground cover) for whatever area you choose. There are plenty of options that will help to keep your pet comfortable and safe while they are outdoors. Commercial landscaping material can be a great option. It is typically less expensive than residential materials because you buy it in larger quantities and more importantly it is designed to be more durable.
You do want to make sure that you pick a ground cover that is going to be easy on the paws, easy to keep clean, and that your pet will find comfortable. Paws are very sensitive to heat, which means you do not want to pick a material that heats up in the sun.
Some good ground cover options include small pea gravel, fine cypress mulch, and artificial turf. A lot of pet owners praise artificial turf as a great ground cover for dogs. It is super easy to keep clean, it naturally repels fungus and bacteria, and feels great on their paws.
Ultimately it is up to your budget and what type of aesthetic you are going for. Just be sure to do your research before you choose to help keep your pup safe.
Fencing
Ideally, you will be able to create a fenced-in space in the yard. You will have to choose the height of the fence based on the size of your dog. Obviously, if you have a pup that is short in stature then you will not need a six-foot fence, but if you have a taller dog, or one that is an escape artist, you will need to go taller with the fence.
Cut outdoor dog houses are great but they do not really work great on their own. You will need to fence in the area and create a run space to ensure that your pooch fully enjoys the cute outdoor dog houses.
Fencing in an area will keep your pup safe, and give them the freedom outdoors that they will simply adore. Of course, it will also ensure that you never get a letter from a dog bite attorney because Fido got a little too playful with one of the neighborhood kids that was overplaying.
A fence of course, also is a good idea to protect the rest of your property in the yard. A backyard is a space for everyone to enjoy. A fence can make sure that everyone including the dog does get to enjoy it.
How Much Space Will All This Take?
A dog run can be narrow and long which is recommended over squared. You want your pup to be able to run in the space because running is great exercise. A long run attached to one of those cute outdoor dog houses will encourage exercise.
How much space will this all take is entirely up to you. How much space do you want to dedicate to a custom dog house with a run attached? It is entirely up to you how much space you are willing to give up in your yard.
Deciding how much room your pooch needs really depends on:
- How big your dog is. Bigger dogs need more space to run.
- How big the cute outdoor dog houses are that you are considering. Dog houses come in a wide range of sizes. You can choose a smaller sized dog house or a larger size dog house and that will dictate how much room you will need to create the oasis for your pet in the backyard.
- How much space can you dedicate? How much room do you have in your yard? How much space is already dedicated to other living spaces?
This is not a case of “go big or go home”. This is a personal decision that is decided by you. There is no wrong way or right way to create a space for your dog in the yard. Of course, if you ask your dog, they will tell you, the more space the better.
What Else Do You Need to Consider?
If you are going to provide your pup with an indoor-outdoor type lifestyle, you will want to consider consulting with outdoor lighting experts that can help to install lighting in the backyard. It will be important during the fall, winter and spring before daylight savings time kicks in to have a well-lit space for your dog.
Of course you also want to consider some “ground rules” that you and the family agree on about when your fur baby can be outside. For example, will Fido be outdoors when no one is home? What about during bad weather? There should be an understanding between family members about what is best for the dog and everyone agrees to take responsibility to ensure that those ground rules are followed.
There may be special steps that you have to take to ensure your pup is comfortable outdoors. For example, if your pup is an allergy sufferer, there may be some materials that are off-limits, and the amount of time they can stay outdoors may be limited during certain seasons.
Other things to consider are:
- Providing shade for your dog. Cute outdoor dog houses provide great shelter, but what about when they are not in the house. Is there shade over the run or do you need to install some sort of covering?
- How will your pup get fresh water? A bowl of water outdoors is not the best option. Automatic waterers are a better option.
- Are there any health reasons your dog should not be outdoors for great lengths?
If your dog has a light coat, white face, or short-haired, your dog needs sunscreen. Around the nose and eyes can get sunburned on short-haired dogs or dogs that have very fine coats of fur around the face. A little sunblock will help to protect your pup from sun damage.
Consider any other health conditions that your dog may suffer from before you make decisions about how long your pet can be outdoors. Some medications do not mix well with the sun. If you are uncertain check with your vet.
As a side note, before you let Rover roam outdoors in their little slice of heaven be sure that all their shots are up to date. Rabies, parvo, and other disease are transmitted from animal to animal and you never know what critter is going to find their way into your backyard. You also want to make sure that your dog is on good heartworm preventative. Mosquitos transmit heartworm, if your dog is going to be outdoors more they will be exposed to a higher risk of infection.
One last thing as far as health concerns go. Be sure to use a flea and tick preventive. Talk to your vet about the options.
Why Being Outdoors For Part of the Day Is Good for Your Dog
Allowing your pets some freedoms by giving them their own outdoor space complete with one of the cute outdoor dog houses is good for both their physical health and their mental wellbeing. Dogs naturally have the urge to explore and run. Being cooped up in the house all the time just waiting for the sound of the leash to go for their walk is not the most enjoyable way for them to live.
A routine that involves outside time gives your dog something to look forward to and helps them to feel like they have a little more control over their own life. Of course, lets not forget how good the exercise is for them. Running back and forth in their run will help them to keep their weight under control, their muscles toned, and keep them active regardless of what age they are. It is stimulating for your pup to be outdoors. All the sights and smells are interesting to them.
Creating an outdoor oasis for your dog using one of the cute outdoor dog houses, some fencing, and a few other inexpensive items is a worthy project that they will greatly appreciate. It gives them the space that they need to be well adjusted, and of course, has the added benefit of ensuring that you still have plenty of space in the yard to call your own.
