Five Ways to Show Your Dog Some Love—Outdoors!

Believe that dog is man’s best friend? Us, too! After all, there are nearly 90 million canine pets in the United States alone. And in the great state of Arkansas, nearly half of all households own a dog! 

If you’re both a garden lover and a dog person, then you’re probably always looking for ways to spend time with (or pay homage to) your pups outdoors. To help you do just that, we’ve compiled a list of five awesome ways to show your dog some TLC in your garden, yard or outdoor space.

1. Build a DIY Dog House
2. Create a Dog Agility Course
3. Display Some Dog-Inspired Decor
4. Design a Dedicated Dog Pool or Pond
5. Ensure a Safe, Fenced-In Yard

1. Build a DIY Dog House

If you’ve got outdoor space, then building (or buying) your pooch a dog house is a no-brainer. Dog houses offer pups a quiet respite—and a safe, cool one, too. Dogs are very sensitive to heat, and a well-ventilated, shady dog house offers them a sanctuary from the sun. 

A good dog house (whether you build or buy) should be slightly elevated, properly ventilated and insulated, and wisely constructed and colored. For example, a navy, plastic dog house might be easy to keep clean, but it’ll get way too hot in the sun. Go for well-sealed wood in a light, bright finish, instead. 

Dog houses aren’t cheap, but if your pupperino spends a lot of time outdoors, they are a wise investment. If you don’t want to splurge on a prefabricated one, you could build one yourself—or hire somebody to help you. One advantage to building your own dog house is that you can customize every last detail, from size to style. (Is there anything cuter than a dog house designed to match the family’s home!?)

2. Create a Dog Agility Course

According to the American Kennel Club, agility “is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country.” Using a dog agility course, canines are directed through obstacles like tunnels, seesaws and tire jumps—all while being timed! If you’ve tuned into a televised dog show, then you’ve seen some very well-trained pups tackling this sport.

Dog agility provides pooches with mental stimulation while keeping them physically fit! Plus, it’s super, super cute.

You can build your own DIY dog agility course by using simple materials like laundry baskets, broomsticks, and PVC pipes and connectors. 

3. Display Some Dog-Inspired Decor

Show Fido (and all your friends and family) just how much you adore him by adding a bit of dog garden decor to your outdoor space. At Happy Gardens, we sell a variety of dog statues and garden stakes. Our dog river stone statue is one of our all-time best-sellers.

Place dog decor in your backyard, on your patio, along your walkway or right outside your DIY dog house!

4. Design a Dedicated Dog Pool or Pond

Lucky enough to own a dog that loves swimming? Then consider building (or buying) a splash pad for your pup. After all, Spike needs a place to cool down and show off his doggie paddle! 

There are plenty of inexpensive, plastic dog pools (or kiddie pools!) available online. Or you can build your own! Ensure you add a ramp or steps so that your dog can easily and safely enter or exit any body of water.

5. Ensure a Safe, Fenced-In Yard

Finally, the best gift you can give your summer-loving goofball is a property that’s secure, toxin-free and full of shady spots for cooling down. 

Verify that your fence has no openings or damage that might allow your pooch to escape. 

You’ll also want to ensure that all of your plants, flowers and pesticides are pet-safe. If they aren’t, you’ll need to block off dangerous sections of your yard as a precaution.

Create shady spots for your dog to chill, and always include fresh drinking water. Remember, if you’re hot, you’re dog is hot, too. If it’s truly sweltering outside, don’t be afraid to bring your pup in for a nice afternoon in the air conditioning.

Still feel like your outdoor space isn’t pup-ready? Need a little more help picking out some pet-inspired garden decor? At Happy Gardens, we’re here to help via phone or live chat. 

About Us:

Happy Gardens is the premiere online destination for beautiful garden decor and gifts. We hand-select high-quality products that are sure to be cherished by you, your family and your guests for years to come. To join our mailing list and be the first to know about our new products and awesome promotions, click here!