The cost of living increase has seen a lot of people cutting back on everyday luxuries to pay for necessities. But have increases in the cost of living changed how we spend on our pets?

We have explored the pet costs that have risen over the last couple of months and which outgoings pet owners are cutting back on to pay for their pet’s needs.

The following article will explore the results of the survey that over 500 pet owners completed. 

Pet Costs That Have Risen With The Cost of Living

With the cost of living increasing, so is the price of owning a pet. We surveyed 500 people and asked them: With the cost of living increasing, which pet ownership costs are you spending more on?

Food

The majority (49.8%) of pet owners we surveyed agreed that the cost that has risen the most is pet food. There are plenty of options for pet food out there, including tailor-made dog food subscription services. 

Making your own homemade treats can reduce the amount pet owners spend on their pets’ diet. To find out more about which flavour treats dogs prefer, read our recent blog post here.

Substituting table scraps into your pet’s diet is far more complicated however, as you must research the foods that are appropriate to your pet and consult a nutritionist if you are substituting large amounts of table scraps for kibble.

Vet Bills

11.8% of pet owners have seen an increase in their spending on vet bills. So, what can you do to look after your pets’ health at home? 

Weight management is one of the best ways to decrease your trips to the vet. A dog within the parameters of a good weight for their breed is less likely to have weight-related problems such as diabetes and breathing issues.

Ensure they have a balanced diet and an appropriate amount of exercise and playtime for their breed.

Pet Insurance

9.3% of pet owners agree that their pet ownership expense that has increased the most is pet insurance. 

Many new pet owners ask the question: Is pet insurance needed? Although legally, your dog or cat has to be microchipped, it isn’t mandatory to have pet insurance. Charities such as the RSPCA encourage pet insurance to cover extraordinary circumstances like accidents, illness and unplanned treatment. 

Pet insurance costs can vary from pet to pet – the premiums depend heavily on the breed and age of the dog as well as the pre existing conditions that the pet may have. You may find that insuring your pet from a young age is one of the best ways to secure the best price.

Grooming

The average cost of grooming has risen across the UK, with 5.4% of the surveyed pet owners highlighting that this is the main cause of their increasing pet-related outgoings. With the high volume of dog purchases over the last couple of years, grooming services are more in demand than ever, so securing a grooming slot costs more. 

How often does your pet need grooming? For most dog breeds, a grooming session every 1-3 months ensures that your dog has a healthy, well-maintained coat. However, this will depend on your dog’s coat. An interim job such as nail clipping is recommended once or twice a month by The Kennel Club.

Daycare/Dog Walking

Many pet owners are going back to work in an office or onsite instead of working from home full time. This has resulted in more pet owners needing daycare and dog walking services more often. 4.5% of pet owners agree that their spending on daycare/dog walking has increased.

Depending on your pet,  a varying amount of care is needed when you’re not there. If your pet is relatively calm on their own, then less daycare/dog walking from a professional will be required. It is recommended that dogs aren’t left on their own for more than 4 hours at a time. With a puppy or older dog, the owner will need to come home more frequently than this. Breaking alone time up and being with other dogs is a great social activity and allows the dog to get its daily exercise.

Toys/Bedding

4.4% of pet owners have seen an increase in the cost of bedding and dog toys.

Dog beds should be replaced every 1-5 years, depending on the level of wear. If you see any holes, tears or loose strings on a dog’s bed or their toys, these should be replaced immediately to prevent the risk of choking. 

The remaining 14.8% of the surveyed public responded that they are spending more on other aspects of their pet.

What would you cut back on before reducing spending on your pets?

Meals/drinks out

Cutting back on eating at restaurants and drinks out is the first thing that two in five pet owners do as they are faced with higher costs for pet ownership. Of the 500 pet owners we surveyed, 42.1% of the surveyed pet owners agree that they will reduce the amount of meals/drinks that they go out for, in order to pay for pet costs.

Monthly streaming subscriptions – Netflix, Amazon Prime

Streaming service charges quickly add up, especially when families have more than one subscription. Earlier this year, new figures revealed that 1.51 million Brits cancelled streaming services, with half a million of these cancellations due to cost. One in four pet owners agree with this result, with 24.7% of those surveyed confirming that they will axe services like Netflix and Amazon Prime to pay for their pets’ needs.

Groceries

The weekly shop has massively increased in price, alongside the increasing cost of dog food. As a result, 10.6% of pet owners are planning to cut back on their weekly food shop to help pay pet ownership costs.

Petrol/diesel and travel costs

Petrol and diesel prices are at an all time high, with these cost increases being a key driver of inflation across the UK. 10.4% of pet owners are prioritising reducing the amount of travelling they do to save cash for pet-related purchases. Drivers may choose to stop taking short journeys, lower average speeds, or dabble in hypermiling techniques to increase their car’s fuel efficiency.

Utility bills (electricity/gas)

4.6% of pet owners are cutting back on utility bills to afford  their pets. This may involve reductions in spending on heating and reducing water consumption.

Nothing

Just 1.7% of pet owners don’t feel the need to reduce any of their outgoings in order to spend money on their pets. 

So, there we have Benchmark Kennels breakdown of spending on pets across the UK. If you are unsure of how much money to set aside for your pooch, check out the PDSA advice on lifetime and monthly costs.

About Benchmark Kennels

Benchmark Kennels provide a range of bespoke outdoor dog kennels designed for the comfort of all dog breeds, shapes and sizes. The team crafts thermal dog kennels, insulated dog cabins, and wooden dog kennels to suit all requirements. Every kennel is handmade to order, with professional fittings to give you peace of mind that your dog kennel is secure and weatherproof.

The team attends trade shows, promoting the benefits of providing a space for your dog away from the bustle of the home and family.

Benchmark Kennels are trusted suppliers to the National Trust, Balmoral estate, the Royal Family of Abu Dhabi, Country Estates, top dog breeders and pet owners nationwide.

All dogs have the potential to bite, even if they haven’t shown aggressive behaviour before. It’s the pet owners responsibility to mitigate this behaviour with training.

Recent research revealed that there had been a huge rise in online users searching for ‘dog bite’, ‘dog bite lawyer’, and ‘dog attack’ since the pandemic puppy boom. These findings suggest more people are seeking advice on rectifying their dog’s aggressive behaviour or what to do after a dog attack.

If your dog bites someone, not only could they cause serious harm to the victim, but the dog could be reported, and you might face legal ramifications.

In this guide, Benchmark Kennels have collated advice for preventing this behavioural problem from developing, identifying the signs your dog is about to bite, and what to do if it occurs.

What can cause dogs to bite?

Biting is often a natural instinctive response to threatening situations, such as if a dog is startled, attacked by another dog or exposed to loud noise.

Other possible causes for dogs biting can include:

• Protecting their territory if someone disrupts their toys, food, or puppies
• Becoming overly excited when playing
• Being bothered while in pain from an illness or injury
• Not being spayed or neutered

A lack of training can cause dogs to feel anxious or scared in social situations, which can cause them to react aggressively.

If aggressive behaviour occurs suddenly, seek advice from a veterinarian in case there is a medical cause.

How to tell if your dog is about to bite

Recognising your dog’s body language and how it changes based on how their feeling, will help you defuse a situation if they become aggressive.

Here are some warning signs to look out for that your dog is about to bite:

• Baring teeth
• Raised hackles
• Growling
• Rigid and quick tail wagging
• A stiffened body posture

If your dog becomes aggressive when you’re alone, stay calm, don’t make any sudden movements and slowly back away. Don’t look them in the eye, smile at them, or show your back to them either.

If you’re in a public place and there is a risk your dog could bite another animal or person, approach them very carefully and remove them from the situation.

Aggression in dogs often stems from fear or anxiety, so it’s helpful to identify the body language for these emotions too, such as:

• Cowering
• Avoiding eye contact
• Lowering their body
• Hanging their head low
• Pointing their ears back

If your dog expresses signs of distress, calmly and confidently move them to a more comforting environment.

Training methods to prevent dog bites

The best way to prevent a dog from biting in the future is through training them as a puppy as soon as you bring them home, which is usually at eight weeks old.

Socialisation

Dogs should typically be socialised from four to 12 weeks old when their brains are more flexible and receptive. This technique will help them feel comfortable around new people, other dogs, and in new situations without becoming frightened.

Obedience training

If your dog is obedient, you’re more likely to have control over a challenging situation that may make them stressed, scared, or angry. By using basic commands, you can keep your dog out of trouble.

Positive reinforcement

Punishing your dog for bad behaviour is likely to encourage aggression, mistrust, and anxiety. Instead, reward your dog for good behaviour with treats, verbal praise, petting, or playtime and strengthen your bond in the process.

Working with a professional dog behaviourist is a great way to implement these training techniques and minimise bad habits from forming. It’s especially beneficial to work with a trainer if you’re looking to retrain and remedy poor behaviour.

What to do if your dog does bite

If your dog bites you, don’t pull away, as this can increase their aggression. Try putting an object between you and the dog that they can latch onto instead. Avoid making loud noises and don’t hit them, as this will just aggravate the dog further.

Confine the dog to their crate, kennel or another room. Then, clean the wound with soap and warm water. If the bite is deep, painful, inflamed, or discoloured, seek medical attention.

If your dog has bitten somebody else, help the victim as soon as you have safely removed the dog from the situation. Depending on the severity of the bite, you may need to call for an ambulance.

Once the wound has been seen to, exchange contact details with the injured person, as it’ll help your case if you’re cooperative. If your dog was provoked, get the contact details of witnesses as well to support your defence.

Your dog’s behaviour will be held to a higher standard in the future. So, you’ll need to put precautions in place to prevent your dog from biting again.

Keep your dog on a leash until you’re confident they’re comfortable around unfamiliar people and dogs, will listen to commands, and aren’t likely to become aggressive. However, always keep dogs on a lead on private land, where there’s livestock, and in areas with signs stipulating the requirement.

Does your dog need a place to retreat to when stressed?

Benchmark Kennels provide a range of outdoor kennels that your dog can use as a den and retreat to when they feel overwhelmed by guests, loud noises, or other animals. Providing your dog with a ‘safe space’ where they can have uninterrupted alone time is especially beneficial if they struggle with anxiety.

The secure and insulated kennels can be customised to suit your dog’s shape, size, and breed, to maximise their comfort.

For more information on our range of kennels, contact a member of our friendly team via phone. If you have everything you need, order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal kennel from our website today.

During the UK lockdown, many people used their unexpected free time to welcome a new pet into their home, creating a puppy boom. However, the restrictions made training dogs challenging, which has led to a rise in behavioural problems.

As well as younger puppies, the change in routine has also likely impacted the behaviour of adult dogs. As well as exercise and social interaction suddenly becoming limited, the dogs were also gaining much more time with their owners than usual.

To identify which bad habits among dogs have worsened, Benchmark Kennels found the average monthly search volume for terms relevant to dog behaviour from July 2019 to 2020 and from July 2020 to June 2021.

The research revealed that the search volume for some of the terms had surged during this timeframe. This increase suggests that now restrictions have been lifted, more people are looking for advice to remedy their dog’s bad habits than in previous years.

So, what behavioural problems have dogs developed during lockdown, and how can you fix them?

Aggression

The average search volume for ‘dog aggression training’ from July 2020 to June 2021 was 588 per month, a 93% surge from the previous year. There was also an 81% growth in the average monthly searches for ‘dog aggression’.

Hostile behaviour, such as growling, baring teeth, and long and hard stares, needs addressing quickly with the help of a professional behaviourist. Otherwise, the aggression can worsen and lead to attacks against other dogs or people.

If you haven’t socialised your dog correctly, they’ll likely be afraid of any new experiences, sounds, people, or dogs, which can cause them to react defensively and aggressively. They may respond territorially to new guests in the house too.

A frustrated dog can also express signs of anger if they’re left alone or restrained for too long. You shouldn’t leave adult dogs alone for longer than four hours, but you can’t leave puppies for more than 30 to 60 minutes.

Disobedience

The phrase ‘dog obedience training’ had an average monthly search volume of 756 from July 2020 to June 2021, an 83% rise from the previous year.

Obedience training ensures your dog responds to commands, so you can keep them safe and out of trouble. If your dog has become defiant, you’ll likely need to begin the process again or try different methods.

If left unaddressed, disobedience can lead to a wide range of behavioural problems, including:

• Aggression
• Jumping
• Excessive barking
• Leash pulling

Working with a professional dog trainer is often the most successful way to teach pups obedience, but this wasn’t an option for many owners through lockdown.

Problem barking

Although barking is a standard form of communication for dogs, it can become embarrassing and stressful if it occurs constantly and at inappropriate moments.

The research found that the average monthly search volume for ‘how to stop dog barking’ was 3,767 between July 2020 and June 2021, increasing by 1,209 since the previous year.

To determine the best solution to reduce barking to a manageable level, you’ll need to identify the cause and patterns.

Your dog may be alerting you to new sights and sounds outside, demanding food and toys, or feeling over-excited. The excessive barking may also be out of loneliness, boredom, or separation anxiety if they’re alone too often without enough exercise and mental stimulation.

On top of this, problem barking can indicate poor socialisation if it’s a reaction to the presence of unfamiliar people and dogs.

Nervousness

It’s normal for dogs to experience occasional anxiety, such as when loud noises occur unexpectedly or attending the vets. However, if your dog is commonly nervous, there’s likely a problem that you need to address.

There was an average monthly search volume of 1,181 for ‘nervous dog’ from July 2020 to June 2021, growing by 18% from the previous year.

Lockdown ending likely had an impact on nervousness among dogs. If you were furloughed or working from home, allowing you to spend a lot of time with your dog, it likely came as a shock when your routine returned to normal.

Nervous dog behaviour can consist of:

• Trembling
• Cowering
• Avoiding eye contact
• Yawning
• Tail between the legs
• Loss of appetite

You can calm your dog’s anxiety by taking them for more walks, equipping them with mentally stimulating toys, and avoiding punishing them. Also, try to re-build the pup’s confidence by rewarding independent behaviour, teaching them new tricks and practising behaviour they already know.

As well as this, it’s helpful to provide nervous dogs with a safe place, such as a crate or outdoor kennel, that they can retreat to of their own choosing when feeling overwhelmed and need alone time.

Biting

There are many reasons why a dog may bite, including feeling territorial, afraid, angry, or over-excited, but it’s usually due to a lack of training. However, biting can lead to troubling situations. Under The Dangerous Dog Act, it’s illegal for dogs to be ‘out of control’ and bite someone.

The research uncovered the search rate for ‘dog bite’ was already high, with an average of 3,058 per month. The volume increased by 17% over a year, reaching 3,608. Worryingly, the search volume for ‘dog bite lawyer’ also saw a 51% growth.

To prevent your dog from biting, undergo obedience training and keep them on a leash until you’re confident they will respond to commands and stay calm.

Various dog behavioural problems appear to have worsened since lockdown, which is likely a consequence of the uptick of people getting dogs during a time without access to training classes and the opportunity to socialise puppies.

If you need assistance with re-training your dog, work with a professional dog behaviourist. Also, get your dog checked out by a veterinarian to rule out any medical causes.

Cheryl Sampson, Marketing Manager at Benchmark Kennels, said: “As dog training classes and private sessions were off-limit through lockdown, it’s no wonder bad habits have increased.

“Social distancing also made socialising puppies extremely difficult, which may have caused aggressive or nervous behaviour when around new people or animals.

“After adjusting to spending more time with their owners through lockdown, and then being apart again, some dogs may have developed separation anxiety too.

“It’s incredibly frustrating for owners who are trying their best to train their puppy but are struggling to achieve the intended results due to circumstances out of their control.

“You can fix many behavioural problems over time, but it’ll take dedication. There are several DIY methods owners can try if the poor habits are mild. If the dog is out of control and the problems are severe, it’ll be much more effective to work with a professional trainer.”

About Benchmark Kennels

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke outdoor kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes. The kennels are built using various materials from wooden to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation.

The kennel retailers are trusted suppliers to the National Trust, Balmoral estate, the royal family of Abu Dhabi, Country estates, top dog breeders and pet owners nationwide.

You can order a kennel directly from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke dog kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. You can customise your outdoor kennel to be as luxurious or minimalist as required, built using various materials from wooden to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation. You can order a kennel directly from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

Barking is a normal form of communication among dogs, but it can become destructive if it happens continuously and at inappropriate times. While you can’t completely stop your dog from barking, you can reduce it to a manageable level.

Benchmark Kennels has put together a guide on the possible causes of excessive dog barking, how to mitigate the problem and teach the pup to be quiet when necessary.

Why is your dog barking?

To successfully treat your dog’s problem barking, you’ll first need to track when and where it usually occurs to identify potential triggers. There are many reasons your dog may be barking, as it can signify various emotions or actions.

Loneliness

Your dog may bark out of frustration if they’re alone for too long. You shouldn’t leave adult dogs on their own for more than four hours and puppies alone for longer than 30 to 60 minutes.

To mitigate your dog’s loneliness, arrange for a dog sitter or walker to keep them company if you aren’t home all day. Alternatively, book them in at a doggy daycare or training session.

Fitting a pet camera also lets you keep an eye on your dog and speak to them to help you stay connected even when you aren’t home.

Boredom

Barking can also be a sign of boredom, which you can solve by taking the dog for walks and spending time outdoors with them more often. To keep the pup entertained while alone, equip them with mentally stimulating puzzles and toys.

Attention

Dogs often bark to get their owner’s attention, which may be due to boredom, separation anxiety or fear. However, a desire for attention is often just part of being a social animal and is more prominent in some breeds.

To discourage your dog from barking for attention, first identify why they’re exhibiting this behaviour and follow the advice from the relevant category.

Also, ignore the pup until they become calm and quiet. Even negative attention, such as telling the dog to stop barking will entertain this behaviour.

Demand barking

Dogs often bark as a way to demand items such as food and toys. If it’s worked before, they’ll keep doing it. So, instead, ignore them until the barking has stopped, and then reward them with the item once they’re calm.

Although, try not to confuse demand barking for them telling you they need the toilet.

Excitement

If your dog reacts excitedly to you coming home by barking and jumping, don’t respond until they calm down to avoid encouraging this behaviour.

Alert barking

Dogs often bark to let you know something is there, whether that be a person, another animal, or noise, which may be out of fear, excitement, or protectiveness. If the alert barking occurs continuously, it can be annoying for you and your neighbours.

For a temporary fix, block their view by closing the blinds or curtains, drown out the outside noise with the radio, and move the furniture so they can’t reach the window.

However, to treat this problem long-term, engage in active training that encourages the pup to associate these sights and sounds positively.

For example, when someone walks by the house, use a command to distract the dog before they bark and give them a treat. Eventually, this training will help them develop a habit of looking at you as an alert instead of barking.

Reactive barking

If your dog barks when they encounter a person or another dog, they may be scared or anxious, often due to poor socialisation.

To change their emotional response to social situations, practice greetings with a friend or trainer and another dog as followed:

• If your dog isn’t already barking and pulling on the leash, approach the owner and dog.
• If your dog begins barking, stop and redirect their attention to you with the command’ quiet’, a treat, or by calling their name.
• If they are calm again, continue the approach.
• If your dog is still over-excited, turn and walk away and continue trying to calm them down.

To minimise the dog’s barking when a guest approaches your home, train them to positively associate the doorbell by practising with a friend and giving the dog a treat when the noise occurs.

It can also be helpful to provide the pup with a dedicated space, such as a crate or an outdoor kennel, that they can retreat to if they become overwhelmed by guests. To encourage the pup to use the area, make it enticing and comfortable with blankets, toys, food, water, and a bed.

What not to do

When trying to combat excessive barking, it’s crucial to avoid specific responses and methods that can worsen the problem.

It’s important not to shout at your dog when they bark, as they’ll think you’re shouting back, which will cause them to carry on. The dog also won’t understand why you’re shouting, causing them anxiety.

If your dog likes being outside, don’t keep them in the garden for too long if they’re continuously barking, as this will only anger your neighbours.

Never use a shock collar on your dog to try and control their behaviour, as this is extremely cruel.

When you begin training, don’t expect a sudden improvement as it can take a while to undo this behaviour, with the timescale depending on your dog’s personality, breed, and age and the problem’s cause and severity.

While it often helps to ignore your barking dog until they become calm, don’t ignore the problem and treat it as soon as possible. When left unaddressed, barking can lead to aggressive behaviour.

If you need assistance with reducing your dog’s barking, contact a professional behaviourist. Excessive barking can sometimes be a symptom of a medical problem, so also get your dog checked by a veterinarian.

Need an outdoor kennel to ease your dog’s stress and anxiety?

Outdoor kennels are the perfect place for your dog to seek some peace and quiet when you’re entertaining guests. Benchmark Kennels offer a range of secure, insulated, and spacious kennels that you can customise to your dog’s size and shape.

For more information on the bespoke kennels, contact the Benchmark Kennels team via phone. You can also order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal kennel directly through the website.

At the height of lockdown, many welcomed furry friends into their homes, creating a puppy boom. However, now that life has returned to normal for some and others are experiencing job uncertainty, several owners have sadly had to place their dogs in shelters.

According to Battersea, 31% of people who acquired a dog or cat during lockdown hadn’t considered becoming pet owners previously, indicating that getting a pet was an impulsive decision based on having an unusual amount of free time.

Being abandoned can cause dogs extreme anxiety and put pressure on local charities, but, thankfully, recent research has revealed a huge interest in adopting dogs across the UK.

Benchmark Kennels have analysed the number of visits to dog shelter websites around the 100 most populated UK towns and cities to discover the areas with the highest demand for rehoming pups.

The top five areas with the most interest in dog adoption

These findings revealed that Watford is currently the most popular area for dog adoption in 2021, with 12,799 average monthly visits to a shelter website.

Bristol closely followed with an average of 11,916 dog adoption website visits per month. In third, Edinburgh had 11,696 site visits.

Cardiff and Newcastle completed the top five UK areas, with 8,442 and 6,994 average monthly traffic retrospectively to dog rescue websites.

Belfast residents show the lowest interest in dog adoption.

In the top 25 UK areas, Belfast dog adoption sites had the least interest, with only 820 monthly visits on average, which equates to just 0.2% of the Northern Ireland capital’s population.

However, this low figure isn’t hugely surprising as a recent survey cited Belfast as the sixth least dog-friendly place in the UK.

Has dog adoption increased over lockdown?

The overall interest in dog adoption has increased by 14.7% over lockdown. In the first six months of 2020, there was an average monthly number of 1,474 residents per UK town or city visiting dog adoption sites. A year later, this figure climbed to 1,692.

How many people are surrendering their dogs?

The Benchmark Kennels research found that from January to June in 2020, there was an average of 22 monthly visits to ‘giving up your dog’ websites in each of the 100 most populated towns and cities across the UK, which lowered to 17 during the first six months of 2021.

However, the RSPCA claims to receive 40 calls a day regarding abandoned animals.

Cheryl Sampson, Marketing Manager at Benchmark Kennels, says: “It’s so heartening to see that there’s been an increase in dog adoption, especially considering that lockdown has also spurred a rise in dog theft and abandonment.

“Adopting a dog is such a wonderful act of kindness, as it gives the pup another chance at a forever-home while also bringing so much joy into the new owner’s life.

“Dog adoption is also a huge responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly, as you don’t want to repeat the mistakes of the former owner and have to give up the pup later down the line.

“Before committing to this decision, consider if you have time to train, exercise, and care for the pooch, as well as giving them the attention they deserve. There’s also the ongoing costs involved to keep in mind, such as vet bills, food, petsitters, grooming, toys, and beds.

“If you’re certain dog adoption is right for you, try to ease any stress they may be feeling when welcoming them into your home, and help them adjust to you as their new owner. Providing them with a crate or kennel will give the pup a place to get some peace and quiet if they’re feeling overwhelmed.”

Contact your local dog rescue centre for further advice or information on adopting a dog in your area.

About Benchmark Kennels

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke dog kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. You can customise your outdoor kennel to be as lhttps://benckmarkk.wpengine.com/uxurious or minimalist as required, built using various materials from wooden to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation. You can order a kennel directly from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

Having access to a garden is a great way for dogs to stay physically active and mentally stimulated. Being outdoors brings variety to your pup’s day and allows them to burn off any built-up energy. The smells, sounds, and textures outside stimulate their senses too.

However, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect your dog from potential dangers lurking in the garden and prevent the pup from damaging the outdoor space too.

To help you create a dog-friendly garden, Benchmark Kennels have put together a guide on the most effective adjustments you can make.

Ensure your dog is comfortable

Tailoring your garden to enhance your dog’s comfort can help them feel calm, which is especially beneficial if your pup is anxious.

• Outdoor dog kennel

An outdoor dog kennel can act as a den for your dog, providing them with a relaxing area when they need some alone time but still want to reside outside. To encourage your pup to use it, equip the kennel with blankets, food, water, and toys.

However, don’t use the kennel as punishment and carefully follow a responsible training plan, so the dog doesn’t feel isolated.

Eliminate harmful gardening elements

Unless designed with a dog in mind, gardens are often rife with toxic elements that can cause accidents.

• Dog-friendly plants

Certain plants are poisonous for dogs and, if ingested, can cause symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, and drooling and would require immediate veterinary attention.

Although consuming too much of any plant can harm pups, here are some low-risk options:

• Sunflowers
• Rosemary
• Camellia
• Fennel
• Roses
• Coral bells
• Snapdragon
• Sage

Also, avoid using chemical gardening products and use natural alternatives instead.

• Lock your shed

If your shed contains chemicals and sharp gardening tools, keep it locked at all times in case your dog wanders inside it.

Protect your pup against theft

Unfortunately, thieves commonly take pups from their own garden, but you can minimise the risk of dog theft by making a few additions to your outdoor space. However, there’s no guarantee that your dog is ever fully protected against theft, so always supervise them when outside.

• Fencing

Fitting a fence that’s at least six feet tall will prevent your dog from jumping over the garden and running away and make it more difficult for thieves to access the garden.

• Gates

Keep any garden gates locked and fit a bell onto the door to scare off any thieves and notify you if anyone opens it.

• Kennel

Place the kennel near the house as fitting it at the bottom of the garden can appeal to thieves. Always keep the kennel locked, too, and consider placing bells on the door, so you’re alerted if it’s opened.

Avoid damage to your garden

Although your dog’s safety is the priority, don’t forget to protect the garden from your dog too.

• Select a designated toilet area

When dogs urinate on a lawn, it causes unsightly brown patches. To prevent this bad habit from developing, follow a toilet training process to encourage them to use a specific spot in the garden that’s out-of-sight. If your dog does urinate on the grass, rinse it down immediately to minimise the damage.

• Create an obstacle course

A bored dog might destroy your garden out of frustration but you can keep them entertained by designing a play area with toys.

You could also create a dog agility training obstacle course to help keep your pup active, teach them tricks and commands, reduce their anxiety, and strengthen your bond. The equipment can include tunnels, tyre jumping, weave poles, and balance beams.

• Pathways

Dogs often enjoy patrolling the garden, so having clearly defining paths can keep your pup from walking right through the flower beds and flattening them over time.

• Dedicated digging spot

Digging is an instinctive canine behaviour that can ease boredom and anxiety, but it can quickly destroy your garden.

Providing your dog with a toxic-free sandbox for digging can deter them from digging up your flower beds and plants.

Precautions for hot weather

During summer, dogs can quickly overheat and develop heatstroke if you don’t implement preventative measures, such as:

• Avoid using artificial grass, as it retains more heat than natural grass, which can burn your pup’s paws.
• Keep plenty of clean, fresh, and cold drinking water in the garden so your dog can rehydrate.
• Install a shallow water feature or set up a doggy paddling pool so your dog can cool down.
• Create shaded areas in the garden with large trees and shrubs.

However, even with these measures, don’t keep your pup outside for too long in the heat, and if they’re exhibiting any signs of heatstroke (e.g., heavy panting, vomiting, weakness, and excess drooling), take them to the vet straight away as it can be fatal if unaddressed.

Implementing these adjustments to your garden will allow you to enjoy spending quality time with your dog outside free of worry.

Need an outdoor kennel to complete your dog-friendly garden?

Outdoor kennels are an excellent way for your dog to enjoy being outside safely and comfortably. At Benchmark Kennels, we offer a range of sheltered, secure and spacious kennels that you can customise to suit your dog’s breed, personality, and size.

For more information on our range of outdoor kennels, contact us via phone or order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly from our website today.