When you let your dog outdoors to keep them from tearing up the inside, it might feel like you can’t win. They chew, dig, scratch, and go to the bathroom without regard for your carefully planned landscaping. 

Dogs are well-meaning—or, at least, they don’t have bad intentions. Their goal isn’t to ruin your yard. They just want to have fun and do what their instincts drive them to do.

Even if your grass is yellowing and your outdoor furniture is chewed up, we’re willing to bet you hold a giant soft spot for your pup.  

So we’ve decided to share some pet-friendly backyard ideas to balance a well-kept yard and a happy canine. 

What Makes a Backyard “Dog-Friendly”?

Dog-friendly landscaping means finding a setup that benefits your yard and your dog. 

When creating a dog-friendly backyard or a designated backyard dog area, you’ll want to:: 

  • Observe your dog’s preferences before making yard additions, as every dog is different. 
  • Look for affordable but quality backyard additions. 
  • Maintain the condition of your backyard while improving your dog’s quality of life.
  • Create a space that entertains your dog. 
  • Try to accommodate your original stylistic landscaping choices. 

The Consequences of a Dog-Unfriendly Backyard

Even if your dog isn’t destructive, a dog-friendly backyard is still beneficial for their mental and physical health. But if your dog tends to cause more damage, a dog-unfriendly backyard might hurt you more than it hurts your dog.

Left unchecked, constant bathroom breaks on your sod can kill patches of grass or breed bacteria. Dog waste throughout the yard isn’t exactly safe for children, and the bad smell isn’t too inviting for guests. 

Dogs that love to dig can ruin the uniformity of your lawn and, worse, dry out the soil for any future plants. They might also get under fencing to run away or expose your backyard to other animals. 

Younger dogs that are teething may chew on plastic and wood furniture and other features in your backyard. 

With a few updates, you can protect against all these behaviors while making for a happier pup.

10 Dog-Friendly Backyard Ideas

Use the following dog-friendly yard ideas to inspire your “dogscaping” efforts. Feel free to scale the ideas up or down depending on your yard size and budget. 

As long as you keep your dog and yard preferences in mind simultaneously, you and your furry friend will benefit. 

For your convenience, we list the following ideas from easiest to hardest. 

1. Entertain Your Pup With Outdoor Toys 

It may seem obvious, but toys are a good way to entertain your dog when you’re away or too tired to play with them. And equally important, some toys divert dogs from gnawing appetizing outdoor furniture and digging holes in your lawn. 

Go for durable outdoor toys, like the Virtually Indestructible Ball, which is great for dogs that love to push and chew. 

Here are some other durable brands of toys that you can keep outdoors:

2. Cheer Up Your Yard With Dog-Friendly Plants

Your backyard is as much your escape to nature as your dog’s. While many plants are toxic, there are plenty of pet-safe plants to liven up your backyard with. 

The following are non-toxic plants to consider in your dog-friendly backyard design, some of which also repel fleas:

  • Snapdragons 
  • Sage (flea-repelling)
  • Marigolds (flea-repelling)
  • Roses
  • Asters
  • Rosemary (flea-repelling)
  • Catnip (flea-repelling)

Check the ASPCA for a full list of toxic and non-toxic plants for dogs.

And if you’re worried about your dog trampling your plants, fence off your garden areas.

Important: Avoid plants with sharp thorns or prickles and any that require harmful pesticides.

3. Provide Shade for Your Panting Pup

In hotter climates like Florida’s, your dog can overheat after a tiresome day of playing. 

To protect your furry friend, set up a dedicated cool-down area with access to drinking water and shade. If you don’t already have a covered patio, you can try the following:

  • Set up an area with an awning or other shaded covering. 
  • Plant a climate-appropriate tree for natural shade, like a paper birch or oak tree. 
  • Build or buy a dog house. 

4. Install a Dog Window for the Doggedly Curious

Dogs love people-watching. They love squirrel-, mail truck-, and other-dog watching, too. 

The best backyard for dogs lets them survey the outdoor world while staying safe. You can help them do this by installing a small dog window into a vinyl or wooden fence. 

The fishbowl shape of a dog window lets them peek around and entertain themselves without damaging wooden boards. They can watch moving objects and critters without you having to worry about them getting hurt or into trouble.  

5. Release Your Dog’s Energy With an Obstacle Course

A dog park is a great place for your dog to expend energy, but you might not always have the time to take them. Without the proper equipment, your yard might suffer the consequences of an energetic dog. 

Create your own backyard agility training course so your dog is never bored and gets the exercise needed to stay fit. 

Consider adding the following obstacle course ideas to your yard:

  • Dog agility tunnel
  • Balance beams
  • Hurdles 
  • Hoops
  • Rope or bungee cords that attach to a tree
  • Arrangeable training poles

6. Beat the Dog Days With a Water Feature

Sometimes a shady spot under a tree isn’t enough to keep your dog’s tongue from hanging out of their mouth. A dip in some water is sure to cool them off. 

If you don’t have a swimming pool, your dog might appreciate a hard plastic kiddie pool full of water to splash around and release the heat. Some wading pools are collapsible for easy storage. 

You can also hire a contractor to install more aesthetically pleasing water features in your backyard, like a pond or fountain, that you and your dog can enjoy. Ensure your dog’s safety by installing a slope or steps. 

7. Protect Your Lawn With a Doggy Sandbox 

Does your dog fancy themself a pirate digging for buried treasure? Sometimes dogs dig to cool themselves down with damp soil. 

Whatever their reason, you might be able to appease their digging tendencies with a doggy sandbox. 

You can build a sandbox yourself, but we recommend buying one or hiring a contractor. Try burying some treat bones to encourage your dog to dig in the sandbox instead of the lawn. 

In the hotter months, dampen the sand so your dog can cool off how they intend.   

8. Give Your Dog a Personal Walkway

Your dog may scout the same path day after day in your backyard to ensure nothing crosses into their territory. 

Especially big dogs can smush patches of grass and compact the soil, leaving your lawn disheveled. 

Consider adding a paved walkway to your yard and training your dog to claim it as their territory. They’ll eventually prefer this path versus one in the grass. 

Use stone or brick pavers, wood planks, or light-colored river rocks for your walkway. Avoid darker or smaller materials (like pea gravel) that can heat up or get stuck in paws. 

9. Create a No-Grass Backyard for Your Dog

If you’d rather have dog-friendly landscaping without grass, there are plenty of options to resist digging and harmful waste. 

There are many reasons to consider a dog-friendly landscape without grass, including the following:

  • You save money on all the water it takes to dilute dog urine on your grass.
  • Picking a grass alternative for your dog is more eco-friendly because it takes less water to maintain.
  • You save money on fertilizers and pesticides, which can be harmful to dogs.
  • Many dogs have grass allergies. 
  • Synthetic turf and other grass alternatives make it easier to pick up and clean solid waste. 

Similarly to creating a grassless pathway, you can try these lawn alternatives for your dog to span your entire yard:

  • River rocks 
  • Stone pavers
  • A wood deck
  • Cedar chips
  • Rubber mulch
  • Durable, non-toxic ground cover plants
  • Synthetic grass

10. Make a Designated Dog Run 

You can dedicate a portion of your yard to a dog run, especially if you have a larger outdoor space. Here, your dog can run around, play, and do whatever they please without you fearing for your yard’s condition. 

Your dog run can include any combination of the previous ideas in an area you section off with a fence or gate. 

Don’t forget lots of toys and potential treats for your good dog!

FAQs About Dog-Friendly Landscaping Ideas

What can you put down for your dog instead of grass?

A dog-friendly yard without grass can include the following: 

  • River rocks 
  • Stone or brick pavers
  • A wood deck
  • Mulch (without cocoa shells)
  • Durable ground cover (such as creeping thyme)
  • Synthetic grass

What is the best surface for a dog yard?

The best materials for a dog’s paws and clean-up are stone and artificial grass. As non-living materials, your dog’s waste won’t damage stone and synthetic turf as long as you remove it quickly. 

Is it okay to leave your dog in your yard?

If you can’t monitor your dog, you should not leave them outdoors for long periods. Not only do you risk being unaware of an emergency, but you also risk your dog developing anxious or disobedient behavior. 

Even with a dog-friendly backyard, you should always be present in some way while your dog is outdoors. 

Are dogs happier in a backyard? 

While dogs appreciate being outdoors, they will most likely prefer to be with their owners (aka you). You should be mindful of when your dog wants to be indoors with you and make sure you’re giving them enough social time. 

Is pea gravel good for a dog run?

We don’t recommend pea gravel for a dog run because of its ability to stick between your dog’s paws.

You and Your Dog Deserve the Best

Sometimes we forget that our dogs don’t truly understand the impact of their behavior. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have both an appealing yard and a satisfied pup.

These backyard ideas for dogs are ultimately meant to support the needs of pets and pet owners. And since your dog doesn’t have opposable thumbs, you’ll have to be the one to make accommodations.
If you found this article helpful and you’re preparing to bring a new puppy home, read our guide on How to Puppy Proof Your House.