Setting Up Your Outdoor Space for a Dog

Most of the essentials a dog owner needs, from a sturdy lead to a comfortable bed, end up being used outdoors as much as inside. In Australia, where dogs often spend a good part of the day in the backyard, it pays to think about the yard itself as part of your kit. A few practical choices around shade, surfaces and boundaries can make the everyday goods you buy work much harder.

Shade and shelter come first

Australian summers are hard on dogs, especially breeds with thick coats or short noses. A water bowl and a kennel are only half the answer if they sit in full afternoon sun. A pergola, verandah or shade sail over part of the yard gives your dog a cool retreat and keeps bowls from heating up. Place water in a spot that stays shaded all day, and consider a heavy or weighted bowl that cannot be tipped over easily.

Surfaces that are kind to paws

Dark decking, concrete and paving can get very hot in direct sun. Test surfaces with the back of your hand before letting your dog lie on them. Timber or composite decks under cover, a patch of lawn, or an outdoor dog bed raised off the ground all help. Outdoor beds with removable, washable covers are worth the extra effort because they deal with mud and shedding hair.

Secure boundaries and safe zones

Check fences and gates regularly for gaps, loose palings and spots where a determined dog could dig underneath. If you have a pool, remember that pool fencing rules exist to protect children, but a compliant enclosure also keeps curious dogs away from the water when you are not watching. Store garden chemicals, fertilisers and snail bait well out of reach, since many are toxic to pets.

Storage for the everyday gear

Leads, poo bags, towels and toys tend to pile up by the back door. A small weatherproof box or hooks under a covered verandah keep everything dry and in one place, ready for the next walk.

For ideas on covered outdoor areas that suit both people and pets, browse our gallery or read the guides on pergolas, decks and verandahs.