Creating a sensory garden for your dog this spring…

Dogs love nothing more than fresh air and time spent sniffing outside. But what could you be doing this spring to make your garden an outdoor sanctuary for your dog to relax and unwind in?

This spring, it’s time to design an enriching, mentally stimulating garden, just for your dog. In this blog, we share expert tips and gardening advice to help you create an exciting oasis for your dog to keep them occupied all summer long!

When creating a dog-friendly garden, focus on safety and enrichment. Avoid toxic plants, check that your garden is well-fenced, and provide plenty of space for digging and playing.

Building a garden that’s right for your dog’s needs

A sensory garden is a space you create with safe plants and fun enrichment activities that provide mental stimulation for your dog. Even with limited room, you can still add interesting smells and a comfortable area to sunbathe!

All kinds of dogs can enjoy a sensory garden. For anxious dogs, the safe, enclosed atmosphere of the garden combined with the relaxing aromas of dog safe plants can be the perfect place to unwind. In fact, sensory gardens are a staple at shelters to help dogs de-stress while they wait to for adoption!

Puppies can benefit from a sensory garden to safely discover new smells and sounds, an important step in their socialisation process.

Do you have a dog who is reactive, particularly outside in the garden? Building a sensory area of the garden can stimulate their senses and reduce boredom. Sensory gardens are great for reactive dogs that may feel too stressed to enjoy physical and mental enrichment on their walk. Building your dog’s confidence in a secure place can help them in the long run.

Senior, injured, or unwell pets may experience too much discomfort to go for walks like they used to. Creating a sensory garden allows us to still give our dogs a relaxing and enriching taste of the outside world, all from the comfort and safety of home. Consider what your dog already enjoys for the ultimate garden experience. 

Step 1: Create shaded areas 

As the weather warms, ensure that shady spots are available for your dog. Consider adding an awning or constructing a wooden shelter where they can relax. 

If you have the space for it, you could add a water feature to spruce up the shaded area. For water-loving breeds like Labradors, a sprinkler or a small paddling pool is a must. 

Adding a water fountain to the space can be calming. The peaceful sound of running water can help to drown out the sounds of cars and other dogs barking, which may contribute to your dog's stress.

Step 2: Sniffing out dog-friendly plants

Dogs explore the world using their noses. They have up to 3 million receptors in their nose, making them 100,000 times more efficient at smelling than us! They can also breathe in and out at the same time, which means they can sniff whilst breathing to take in their surroundings. 

When sniffing, a dog’s brain releases dopamine and endorphins which calms the nervous system. This could be useful if you have an anxious, fearful or stressed pup who is reacting to sounds and smells when outside in the garden. 

Add a variety of dog-friendly herbs and flowers with strong scents to your garden to create an exciting sensory area.

Did you know, just ten minutes of sniffing offers mental stimulation and can be as tiring to your dog as a long walk!

Some pet friendly herbs and plants include: 

• Rosemary - Rosemary is regarded as a natural flea repellent for dogs. It's also a herb considered to have a calming effect on nervous and anxious dogs.
• Thyme - Like rosemary, thyme is safe if your dog decides to eat it, so is safe to grow in the garden, plus it smells delicious!
• Peppermint - Peppermint and spearmint plants can soothe and calm anxious dogs. It's also good for digestion. But steer clear of English Pennyroyal mint as this could make your dog very sick.
• Basil - Basil is a wonderfully aromatic herb. It's high in antioxidants to protect against cancer. It even features anti-inflammatory properties to support dogs with arthritis.
• Wheatgrass - Wheatgrass is super simple to grow and packed full of nutrients. It has been shown to help with dog digestion and boost energy levels. Lots of dogs can’t help but have a munch when they find it!
• Lavender - Lavender is a soothing and calming herb which may help relieve anxiety in dogs. While the smell is beneficial, this is one to grow in a basket or garden bed to prevent accidental ingestion.
  

Step 3: Set up a digging spot

Choose a specific area in the garden for your dog where they can dig to their heart's content.

If your dog likes to dig at the beach, add cool sand into a dig pit or children’s paddling pool so they have somewhere to dig and burrow. For terriers with a knack for sniffing out critters hiding underground, a series of running tunnels offer a fun, safe way for them to play. Logs can also be a great way to allow your pup to climb and jump. You could even scatter treats in and around them for a scavenger hunt!

Incorporating opportunities for your dog to engage in their natural behaviour can tire them out. It also allows for more independent play. If you’re tired of throwing a tennis ball into the abyss, creating more opportunities for digging or sniffing could be the answer.

Step 4: Nothing beats regular training and socialisation

Adventures outside are important for your dog, regardless of the size of your garden. Even a short walk to practice heeling by your side, or socialisation around new sights and smells can be mentally exhausting for your dog. 

As spring arrives in the UK, many of us will want to explore the countryside with our dogs, but it’s important to be mindful of wildlife. Always keep your dog on a durable leather lead and only let them off the lead if your dog will return on command.

Walking responsibly at this time of year is more than picking up after your dog. We can help protect ground-nesting birds this spring by keeping dogs on leads during bird breeding season, which runs from March to August. Sadly nests that are disturbed are often abandoned, leaving eggs and chicks unprotected and at risk of perishing if left alone for too long.

Often birds make their nests on or near the ground, in long grass, at the base of trees, or in the hedge. Camouflaged by their surroundings, nests can be very difficult to spot. RSPB Cymru warns that even the most well-behaved dogs can accidentally cause distress or damage to wildlife. They ask owners to keep dogs under close control or on a lead during the spring and summer months to help protect vulnerable bird species. 

It’s also a legal requirement to keep dogs on leads no longer than two metres while on open access land between 1st March and 31st July. People risk fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to do so.

Now is a good time to invest in a strong, premium quality walking set, to ensure a safe walk for all. Shop our matching leather collar and lead collection.

Step 5: Deep clean your dog’s bed and crate

To complete your dog's new sensory garden, make sure they have somewhere comfy to settle.

Spring is also a good time to deep clean your dog’s space. Don't forget to fresh up your dog's bed if they have an outdoor dog bed or crate. Over the winter months, their bed is used more often than the rest of the year, allowing dirt and bacteria to accumulate. Ralph & Co dog beds feature a zip to remove the outer cover of the bed and wash it in the machine. 

If your dog’s bed isn’t washable, it may be harbouring germs and maybe even a slight smell - and it could be time for an upgrade. Treat your dog to a luxury dog bed that compliments your new living space instead of becoming an eyesore. Look no further,our spring sale is here! 

For dogs who sleep in crates, we have recently launched a new calming crate bed collection with a cosy cushion design. Sleep easy knowing your dog’s memory foam bed provides top orthopaedic support to help protect them from health issues as they age.