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Things to make small garden area more interesting for puppy

4 replies

MyPuppyLulu · 11/05/2021 11:12

We have quite a challenging garden -its quite big, but steeply terraced. Due to the way it is set out, puppy will only be able to go to the big grassy area when she's accompanied there's a wall with 4' drop en route that she can currently get to. Longer term we will be doing some landscaping work to make safe that area so she could wander to the larger area by herself, but for the meantime and while she is so little we are setting up a fully enclosed safe are directly outside the back door that she will be able to safely go in and out to by herself. She's only a tiny dog (JR/yorkie/chi mix) so hopefully she should enjoy this small outdoor space, with walks and play in the "big garden" when we are available to take her before and after work and lunchtimes. We both work from home, and will be sitting in the room that directly leads to the garden, so this is about making her days more interesting while we work from home.

The area is approx 7m x 2m and it was concrete, but we've had some artificial turf laid (its too shady for real grass to grow succesfully there). We've also planted up some trays with grass for her to snuffle in. We'll be getting some balls for her to have out there.

What other things can we put there to keep it interesting for her? She's small and bright, so I was thinking maybe hanging something from the walls for her to play with? Or maybe some kind of tunnel for her to run through, or ramp to run up? I'm keen to try to use natural/recycled things where possible, as I'm not delighted to have had to lay astroturf, but it was the only viable solution! I think in my mind, I'm thinking of some kind of play equipment/assault course for dogs, but I'm not really sure where to start with that! Anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
Mehoooole · 11/05/2021 22:39

My dog runs, sniffs and plays with balls and sticks in the garden. I know they are not supposed to have sticks but they fall from the trees all the time. I think even a small area with balls and a few chews toys would be great. It may even be better than a large area for a small puppy on their own as large areas can be overwhelming. A small area they can potter about in and listen and smell will help them feel safe.

Umbra · 11/05/2021 22:47

I'd consider a small house for shade from the sun/snoozing, and also for her to use as a bolthole if you have birds of prey in the area.

Takingabreakagain · 11/05/2021 22:59

www.battersea.org.uk/how-make-sensory-garden-your-dog
You could do something like this sensory garden for her - dogs love to sniff about

Clymene · 11/05/2021 23:13

There's a really great Facebook group called canine enrichment which has loads of ideas. There's a woman who has made a sensory garden for neighbourhood dogs if you scroll through and she has done some really fun things.

I would say dogs are like children though - put things away and get them out again. So snuffle mats, sniff boxes, toys - rotate them all so that your puppy is always really excited to see them and doesn't get bored

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