A tan and white mixed-breed dog standing on a green lawn in front of a wooden fence, with a large tree and its shade on the left

October 5, 2026 Aaron Seminoff

A Dog-Friendly Backyard: 8 Tips for a Safe Yard

A dog-friendly backyard is a safe one first: a fence that fits how your dog escapes, plants the ASPCA does not list as toxic, lawn products and baits stored out of reach, shade, fresh water, and something to do. The eight tips below cover each of those. For layouts, ground cover, and fence materials, see our guide to backyard ideas for dogs. If you are thinking about a second dog, our guide to companion dog breeds for German Shepherds is a place to start.

1. Match the fence to how your dog escapes

A corgi sniffing the dirt at the base of a wooden fence

The American Kennel Club (AKC) sorts escape artists into jumpers, climbers, diggers, chewers, and dogs that work out how to open a gate. It adds, “Especially determined dogs will use a combination of these techniques.” So walk the fence line and pick the fix that fits the dog.

For a jumper or climber, the AKC says, “You don’t necessarily have to make it higher, but adding a section to the top that tilts inward will deter your dog.” Walk the line of any fence, including a six-foot fence, and look for these routes.

For a digger, the AKC suggests attaching an L-footer along the bottom of the fence, facing in. It can be chicken wire, hardware cloth, or a piece of chain-link fence, held down with rocks, gravel, mulch, or planters. For a concrete footer it says, “This will stop even the most determined digger.”

A dog that patrols the fence line is often set off by what it sees on the other side. The AKC says to block the view: run plastic slats through a chain-link fence, or attach rolls of bamboo or reed fencing to any fence with zip ties.

If your dog does get out, the ASPCA says to make sure a dog has “a microchip for identification” and wears a tag with your home address, cell phone, and any other relevant contact information.

2. Check every plant against the ASPCA list

The ASPCA keeps a comprehensive list of toxic and non-toxic plants. It describes the list as plants “reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract,” and says it is “not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants.” Its advice is “Please be sure to check the name of the plant to determine its toxicity.”

The ASPCA’s hot weather tips say to “familiarize yourself with the plants in your yard or garden and the potential hazard they may pose to your pets.” The list below gives six plants the ASPCA lists as toxic to dogs, with the common and Latin names and the clinical signs the ASPCA gives.

Sago Palm (also called Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads, and zamias) (Cycas revoluta, zamia species). ASPCA clinical signs: Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.
Oleander (Rose-Bay) (Nerium oleander). ASPCA clinical signs: Drooling, abdominal pain, diarrhea, colic, depression, death.
Azalea (Rosebay, Rhododendron) (Rhododendron spp). ASPCA clinical signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, cardiac failure.
Hosta (Plantain Lily, Funkia) (Hosta plataginea). ASPCA clinical signs: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression.
Tulip (Tulipa spp.). ASPCA clinical signs: Vomiting, depression, diarrhea, hypersalivation.
Aloe (Aloe vera). ASPCA clinical signs: Vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea.

For tulips, the ASPCA says the highest concentration of toxin is in the bulb. For the sago palm, it says even ingestion of just one or two seeds “can result in very serious effects including vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and liver failure.”

The ASPCA lists these as non-toxic to dogs: Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Petunia (Petunia species), Zinnia (Zinnia species), Garden Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus), and Rose (Rosa Species). The hot weather tips add a caution: “even non-toxic plants can cause stomach upset if ingested.” Before you plant anything new, check it against the ASPCA's toxic plant database.

3. Store lawn products and bait where a dog cannot reach them

The ASPCA says fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides keep lawns healthy, but “their ingredients may be dangerous to pets.” It says to “Always store these products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully.” The ASPCA also says to keep fertilizers out of reach, and your pet out of the treated area until it is dry.

Rodent bait needs more care than the rest. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says “it takes only VERY small amounts of some baits to cause potentially life-threatening consequences to dogs and cats.” A bait station does not make bait safe: “Dogs will chew open bait stations to gain access to the bait inside.” The ASPCA also says vermin “will also drag pieces of bait away from the designated bait stations,” so bait can turn up away from where it was placed.

The ASPCA recommends “keeping all poisons or baits well out of paws’ reach in a secured cabinet” and, if possible, keeping your pet out of the treated area and watching your pet closely while the toxins are present. It says, “Any exposure to rodenticide should be treated seriously and assessed by an APCC expert or a veterinarian.”

4. Keep water fresh, shallow, and supervised

A wet yellow Labrador standing in a blue wading pool in a backyard

The ASPCA says to give pets plenty of fresh, clean water when it is hot or humid. If your yard has a pool, its advice is plain: “Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool.” It also says to “avoid letting them drink from the pool,” to introduce pets to water gradually, and to rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from the fur.

For a children’s pool or pet fountain, the AKC says to make it “very shallow so your dog can submerge their head.”

Standing water and wet soil carry a risk of their own. The VCA hospitals library says leptospirosis bacteria “are passed in the urine of infected animals and can survive in the environment for long periods in warm, stagnant water or moist soil.” It says infection “most commonly occurs when contaminated water or soil contacts an animal’s mucus membranes (i.e., gums) or damaged or diseased skin.” To lower the risk, the VCA says, “The leptospirosis vaccine is recommended as a routine vaccination for all dogs,” and that you can also reduce risk by preventing access to areas where infection is more likely and preventing access to wildlife, especially rodents. Ask your veterinarian about the vaccine.

5. Plan for heat, including the ground your dog walks on

A blue merle dog lying on grass in the shade of a canopy

The VCA hospitals library says dogs “cannot control their body temperature by sweating, as humans do” and that panting is their primary way of regulating body temperature. Among the common causes of heat stroke it lists “being left in a yard without access to shade or water on a hot day” and “excessive or vigorous exercise during hot temperatures.” Flat-faced dogs, which the VCA names as pugs, boxers, and bulldogs, are “at even greater risk.”

The ASPCA lists the signs of overheating as excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or even collapse. The VCA says, “Hyperthermia is an immediate medical emergency.” A dog showing these signs needs a vet right away. For shade layouts and water setups, see our guide to a dog-friendly yard.

The ground matters as well. The ASPCA says not to let dogs linger on hot asphalt when it is very hot, because a dog is close to the ground and “sensitive paw pads can burn.” For the yard, the ground cover options below include hardy grass and gravel:

Artificial turf or hardy grass varieties like Bermuda or buffalo grass hold up better to paw traffic and are easy to rinse clean.
Gravel, Dr. Georgina Ushi says in the AKC article, “can get stuck in paw pads and in between toes, and can get too hot without adequate shade.”
The same article says gravel can be tempting for dogs that like to chew, making it a potential choking hazard or gastrointestinal obstructor, as Dr. Amy Attas explains. It suggests paving stones as an option, because they tend to be flat and stay cool to the touch.

A beagle walking toward the camera on a gravel path beside a stone edge

6. Keep food, trash, and party items out of reach

The ASPCA calls food and drink “one of the biggest threats to pets” in summer. It says to keep the garbage out of reach, “as snooping noses can find their way to hazardous items,” and to keep drinks up and away from pets and clean up spills before a pet can taste them. It also says to keep citronella candles, tiki torch products, and insect coils out of pets’ reach.

Fireworks need the same care. The ASPCA says, “Never use fireworks around pets.” Lit fireworks can cause severe burns or trauma, and even unused fireworks can contain hazardous materials.

The ASPCA keeps a list of people foods to avoid feeding your pets, and our post on harmful things for dogs covers more of what a dog can find in a house or yard.

7. Give your dog something to do out there

A small white and tan terrier jumping over a bar

The AKC says play helps dogs expend physical and mental energy, and that dogs with excess energy “will look for their own outlets, which can lead to unwanted behaviors like destructive chewing or pulling on leash.” How much play a dog needs varies. Some dogs benefit from a daily session lasting only a few minutes, while on other days you might play for 30 minutes. The AKC also warns that too much play can overtire a dog.

If your dog gets too excited too quickly, the AKC suggests short bursts. In a game of fetch, ask for the ball and a sit for treats between throws, so the dog can calm down before the next throw. It also says to keep puppies from high-impact play like jumping until the growth plates in their bones have fused at 12 months or older, depending on the breed.

Food-dispensing puzzle toys give a dog stimulation, the AKC says, even though the dog is working for the food rather than playing with you. For a dog that digs, our guide to backyard ideas for dogs covers a dig box.

8. Keep wildlife and rodents out of the yard

Wildlife: Depending on where you live, your backyard might attract coyotes, snakes, raccoons, or rodents. To reduce the risk:

The VCA says you can reduce the risk of leptospirosis by preventing access to wildlife, especially rodents. It says dogs can get the infection from animals including skunks, raccoons, opossums, rats, wolves, and other dogs.
The AKC says an invisible fence “doesn’t prevent other animals from accessing the yard, which may pose a threat to your dog.” It adds that an invisible fence should be paired with a physical fence.

Toads are a risk in some regions. The VCA says that in the United States, “exposure to most toads causes only mild signs,” with drooling, vomiting, and oral irritation. Two species can cause severe poisoning: the cane toad, found in Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Louisiana, and other tropical areas, and the Colorado River or Sonoran Desert toad, found in California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. The VCA says toads are most active after rainfall and at dawn, dusk, and night, and that “Even drinking water from a bowl in which a toad was sitting or pond water containing eggs can result in poisoning.” A dog that licks or eats a toad needs a vet right away.

FAQ

What should I do if my dog eats something poisonous in the yard?

The ASPCA says to call your veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 as soon as possible. The ASPCA notes that a consultation fee may apply.

Do I still need to walk my dog if I have a fenced yard?

Yes. The AKC says, “you should take your dog for a walk every day, even if you have a nice fenced-in yard,” because the exercise may help a dog use up energy and keep it from being bored in the yard.

Can I leave my dog alone in the yard?

The AKC says, “Don’t leave dogs alone out there for long periods of time or any time when you can’t supervise them.” It adds that the very best way to keep a dog in the yard is to be there with it.

Sources

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