"Dogs and gardens go together as naturally as peas and carrots." That's not an easy statement to make. Knowing how to create a harmonious space for both dogs and plants challenges novice and experienced gardeners.  Most of us are clueless and manage by putting up fences and barriers.  Tom Barthel obviously has experience with dogs, gardens, landscapes, and successfully combining the three.  His Canine Design book, Dogscaping: Creating the Perfect Backyard & Garden for You and Your Dog is the best I've found so far.  Dog landscaping books keep improving.

Tom Barthel extends suggestions beyond just training your dogs.  I'm paying attention. He promotes organic, pesticide-free yards (good for you, your children, and your dog), he encourages us to pay attention to our dog's daily routines; he provides guidance on how to have an attractive yard in spite of Spot's digging obsession.

This resembles a magazine except it lacks advertisements. Pages are full of glossy, high-quality photographs with charming dogs as well as plants.  The text is easy to read and the organization will appeal to adults who are simultaneously having their attention distracted by canine friends.  Shaded blocks with must-read tips, diagrams, tables, and pictures efficiently provide helpful information.

What Information? How will this help me and puppy?

Easy strategies involve planting high in containers and raised planters, on trellises and posts, and suspended from hooks.  Create plant barriers with ground-covering junipers (ouch, ouch) that tender paws will avoid. Use organic pest and weed control methods to keep the yard safe for sniffing noses and paw-licking mutts.

Know your dog and its breed characteristics--these offer clues to predictable behaviors. Barthel provides insight into the movers and pursuers (herding breeds), hunters and chasers (hound breeds), patrollers/protectors (non-sporting breeds), speedsters/retrievers (sporting breeds) and a few others. Mine falls into the speedster group and fortunately not among the pouncers/diggers (terrier breeds). Design for their predilections. Observe what your dog does in the yard for several weeks and track its daily routine in the yard. Map them. They tend to visit the same places--dogs are predictable about routines.

Use this information to create your site plan. As you organize your thoughts he suggests methods for dealing with digging as well as screening running and patrolling paths. Some vines actually survive canine excavators.  A chart lists a few with and their light requirements, preferred plant zones, and blooming seasons.

Respect your dog.
If you're not into over-pampering your dog, you're already rolling your eyes at me. I understand. If you're not, read on.

Watch for signs and symptoms of plant poisoning. Barthel provides some and this includes more than vomiting. He provides a link for identifying toxic plants (the ASPCA site is more current than a book's list as it can be updated). Include lounging areas (for the dogs, not just for you), elimination stations (for the dogs), and use native plants and organic methods to keep your dog healthy. There are warnings to consider when applying mulch--some are harmful and he explains how cocoa mulch expands when wet, even when wet inside your pup's stomach.  (Remember that if it's toxic for your dog, it's toxic for your children.)

Instructions are provided for composting waste and growing organic fruit.  Be aware that you can "plant raspberries and strawberries, and your only problem will be picking them before your pet does. Rabbits and birds are no match for a dog when it comes to cleaning out a ripe berry patch."  I think our labs used to stare and wait for them to ripen to the "perfect" color or smell and then they immediately plucked them before we could. There are even a few recipes for foods, for you and your canine friend. Two mixed vegetable dishes, Canine Curry (for your dog) and Hot Madras Curry over Rice (for you) offers simple instruction for cooking from your garden.  Don't consider this a cookbook--I think the author was having fun.

Several chapters cover basics for creating raised beds, water features, decks, gazebos, lighting, pooch pergola, table garden, and doggy sandbox. Specific instructions for a few features are mixed in with the overviews and guidelines. Training is addressed as well as some aversion techniques but the major emphasis is to create a space that recognizes your dog's needs.

I like that the Dogscaping approach is organic. There is no doubt that the author's backyard spaces are attractive while also accommodating furry family members. Creating a doggy nirvana in your backyard might be as simple as planting a hedge parallel to your fence with a running path between the hedge and fence. It might also include a low hedge for hurtling and a doggy sandbox for diggers. My dogs would love a water feature large enough for splashing in and cooling their toes. I chuckled at the suggestion of the faux fetching strip with artificial turf (but I also thought it clever).

Missing? Some plants proven to survive dogs are identified, but only a few.  There aren't a lot of plant selections, but you'll need to think about your goals. If you want delicate, unique plants think up rather than on the tromping ground. Barthel tempted me (seriously) with his description of the Do-It-Yourself Dog Pond. I love the idea but need more information although what was provided sent me on an unsuccessful lengthy online search.

This is the fourth book I've read while gathering ideas for creating a compromise yard. (It was released February 2010.)  The backyard belongs to our dogs and that's the way it has always been, but this current frontyard and neighborhood association won't work for my gardening style. The challenge and fun will be in designing a space for all of us and Barthel's Dogscaping: Creating the Perfect Backyard & Garden for You and Your Dog is better than the rest. If you, like me, intend to create a dog-friendly backyard that satisfies your gardening (flowers and edible crops) objectives, start with this publication. It's a balanced combination of instructions and guidelines as well as explanations--it's truly a must-have book.


Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs
Dogs in their Gardens
Pawfriendly Landscapes









Recommended: Yes