Create a Fido-friendly landscape

Many gardeners are also dog lovers. But sometimes, gardens and canines don't mix. If your family includes a pooch or two, there may be some changes you'll want to make to your landscape.

There are a few challenges for the dog owner who wants a good-looking landscape and a fun, safe outdoor environment for the family pooch.

Bad habits: Because they are territorial, dogs tend to wear paths, especially along fence lines. They are known for lying down in flower beds and smashing all the plants. They often like to dig down to the cool soil, and their urine can burn the grass.

The first planning step to resolving these challenges is to study your dog's use of the landscape. Where does Fido like to nap? Where does he play? What are his favorite spots to urinate or defecate? And, where does he insist on digging?

Instead of fighting your dog's natural tendencies, work with them. If your dog is a digger, build a sandbox. Fill an area with sand or soft soil and top with wood mulch. You can easily train your dog to dig in the specified area by burying treats and toys. Rake the area occasionally to fill in the holes and replenish the treats as needed.

To discourage digging in an area, place chicken wire under mulch. Chicken wire placed in vegetable gardens will protect the harvest. The wire is uncomfortable to the dog's paws.

What about the paths that Fido has worn in your yard? It may be impossible to change this habit, so you might as well accept it as a necessary path in your landscape and create a walkway of stone or paving blocks. If your dog wears a path around the fence line, include that in your pathway creation, and it will discourage the dog from attempting to dig underneath the fence.

Shade and flowers: Dogs love to lounge in the shade, so if you do not have a tree large enough to provide shade, build a small gazebo or other structure that offers a respite from the sun.

If you want flowers in your landscape, place them behind a fence so your dog can't smash them. Or train your dog that this isn't the place to lie down. Teach your dog that good manners are expected both in the house and outside. By providing him places he loves, he won't be as likely to destroy your flower garden. You can always resort to chicken wire under the mulch if need be.

You also can use rocks as a ground cover around flowers. The rocks hurt the dog's paws and eliminate digging.

Where to go: Once you have identified the places your dog likes to go potty, train him to use that area exclusively. Place a thick bed of mulch over the area where he normally does his business and encourage him to go there and nowhere else. Dog urine can burn grass, so if you want a lawn, this is a necessity. I have had female dogs my entire life and haven't had trouble with them killing the lawn, but many of my friends complain about the problem.

Beware of poisons: To truly make your landscape dog-friendly, it is important to use plants that are not poisonous to your dog. Visit the ASPCA Web site http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ to find a list of poisonous plants to avoid.

It may be a challenge to reach that happy medium between a beautiful landscape and a dog-friendly landscape, but it will be worth the effort as you enjoy your outdoor space with your best friend.