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How To Dog-Proof Your Garden?

Girl laying with her dog in the garden

Making the decision to get a dog is incredibly exciting. And, as any new dog owners know, there is a lot to think about.

From deciding what breed to get to training your new furry friend, another important thing to do is dog-proof your garden. Whether you’ve adopted a puppy or a more mature pooch, gardens can be dangerous places with a wide range of hazards able to cause them harm. 

There are a number of things you can do to keep your dogs safe when exploring your garden. 

How to build a fence to protect your dog

Perhaps the biggest concern for most dog-owners is losing their pet. To prevent your dog from escaping, it’s a good idea to build a fence. 

Mark out where you want the fence with a string line, before adding bamboo sticks for the places your fence posts will sit. Be sure to precisely measure the distance between each stick.

Now you’re ready to place your fence posts. Dig a 450mm hole where each bamboo stick is, replacing them with a fence post. It’s a good idea to do the two end posts first, and run a string line between the two. Once each post has been placed, secure them with a staple in the ground. Next, fix two fence clips on each post, 150mm from the top and the bottom. Then, place the fence panels into the clips. 

To secure the fence, pour in the concrete leaving a small gap at the top to backfill with soil. For the best type, you can find a wide range of concrete services and aggregates at Neil Sullivan. Once the fence is finished you can paint or stain it.

Be sure to repair any holes that occur as the years go by, as you don’t want your dog to wriggle through and run away. Also, make sure it is an appropriate height, as bigger, energetic dogs can jump over smaller barricades. 

A fence is also a good way to section off your garden if you don’t want your dog to get into certain areas or your neighbour’s garden.    


Keep garden gates closed 

Staying on the theme of runaway dogs, you should keep garden gates shut at all times to prevent escapes. This is particularly important if you’re happy to leave your pet unattended while outside.

Also, if the gate has gaps in the bars, make sure your dog isn’t able to slip through.    

Look out for poisonous or harmful plants

When dog-proofing your garden, it is also important to bear in mind that certain plants could cause them harm. In particular, lilies, azaleas, daffodils, tomatoes, foxgloves and hydrangeas are known to be toxic to dogs. 

As well as this, if you use your garden to grow vegetables and herbs, be aware that onion, chives and garlic are not good for them either. Avoid putting down slug pellets and weed killer too, as both are dangerous if ingested. And we all know that dogs like to ingest everything!  

If your dog does eat something that you think maybe poisonous, take them to a vet immediately.    

Cover up ponds or swimming pools 

This one is especially important if you have a puppy or a small dog. If your garden has a pond, a swimming pool or even a hot tub, you should ensure they are covered at all times so your dog does not get into danger in the water.

This is also good practice so that your dog doesn’t get wet and dirty and ruin your furniture and carpets. 

Neil Sullivan & Sons offers a wide range of concrete services to businesses throughout Essex and the South East of England. Other services include the supply of aggregates, concrete pumping and a concrete resource centre. For more information on how we can meet your needs, contact us today.