Tag Archive for: dog facts

Photo Courtesy of Sebastian Coman Travel on Unsplash

Petscaping: Create the Perfect Outdoor Space for Your Dog

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Author: Griffin Parrish

When it comes to owning a dog, many owners want nothing but the best for their four-legged friend. Whether it is buying the best dog food or taking them on a road trip, many owners go above and beyond to provide their dogs with a happy life.  Many dog owners are even updating their yards and gardens to suit their dog’s specific needs. This process is known as petscaping.

What is petscaping?

Petscaping is the process of designing your yard in a way that provides your dog with a fun and safe place to play. This includes utilizing dog-friendly materials and creating areas specifically dedicated to your dog.

3 ways to petscape your outdoor space

Follow along to discover new ways to create the perfect outdoor space for your dog!

1. Utilize dog-friendly materials and plants

When sourcing materials for petscaping, be sure to think about the issues that dogs can bring about. If your dog is prone to digging, consider using artificial turf to prevent holes. For larger and more energetic dogs, use strong materials such as brick, paver stones, and concrete for high-traffic areas.

If you plan to let your dog run free, be sure to install a wooden, metal, or wire fence to ensure your pup can’t escape. If your backyard also features a garden, consider installing additional fencing to discourage your dog from snacking on your plants.

When including plants in your petscaping process, be sure to avoid any that could be toxic to your dog. A few examples of plants to avoid include:

  • Azaleas
  • Ivy
  • Lily
  • Sago palm
  • Tulips

For a complete list of plants to avoid, check out this guide from ASPCA.

2. Add fun features for your dog to enjoy

As you design your outdoor space, think about fun additions that your dog will love. If you have a dog that loves to run around, install an obstacle course to keep them entertained.

Does your dog love water? Consider adding a water feature or splash pad for your dog to play in. This can also be a great way for your dog to beat the summer heat.

Another great petscaping addition is installing a dog house. A dog house is a great place for your dog to lounge and rest. Be sure to consider your climate when selecting or building your dog house. If you live somewhere cold, be sure to add a heater and some blankets.

3. Keep up with seasonal maintenance

Depending on the time of year, there are different things to consider when petscaping your yard. By following these tips, you can ensure that your dog is happy and safe all year round.

  • Spring
    • Ensure your yard has proper drainage for rain showers
    • Treat the area for incoming pests
  • Summer
    • Provide an area for your pet to cool off
    • Cut your lawn regularly to keep pests away
  • Fall
    • Regularly rake and remove leaves to keep your lawn clean
    • Trim your trees to prevent any falling limbs
  • Winter
    • Keep your dog house warm using heaters and blankets
    • Regularly shovel snow
    • Avoid salting any areas your dog might walk on, as it can damage their paws

Sit back and enjoy the fun

Now that you have a great outdoor space for you and your dog, you can invite others to enjoy it too. A petscaped backyard is a perfect place to socialize your pup while making new friends yourself.

By using BarkHappy, you can connect with other dogs nearby and set up playdates. Not only is this great for your pup, but it is also an awesome way for dog owners to make new friends.

With your new petscaped yard and some seasonal maintenance, you now have a great place for you and your pup to enjoy year after year, no matter the season.

Author: Griffin Parrish

A Dog Parents Guide: Road Trips 101 and Summer Safety

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It’s no doubt that the evolution of a dogs role has come a long way. In our dog-obsessed culture, the unconditional love for our fur-children is obvious. So much so, that the age old phrase, “dog is man’s best friend” is no longer enough to describe the relationships we have with our pups. It’s more common than ever to hear pet owners refer to themselves as “dog moms” or “dog parents.” To put it simply, dogs are awesome. They’ve evolved from the traditional household pet to sharing our living spaces — sometimes even our beds — acting as babysitters for our children, having the coolest wardrobes, supporting people as service animals and being the ultimate co-pilots on a road trip.

 

As dog parents, it breaks our hearts to leave our fur-children behind when we travel, so why not take them with you? While not every dog breed can jet set, the travel industry is rising up to meet that growing demand of dog travel, making a road trip with our furry best friends more accessible than ever. Apps like BarkHappy are a great way to find dog parks, beaches, restaurants and social gatherings that can help you and your pup plan out your route and trip activities in advance.

 

Taking a road trip with Fido is a great bonding experience that can encourage you to get active, meet new people and scout out dog friendly locations. With thousands of miles of open road to cover, you don’t have to stress the anxiety of leaving your dog at home when you can just bring them along! To help with the preparation process CarRentals.com created this guide to a road trip with your dog that highlights tips for smooth travel, an essentials checklist, and safety tips to consider, so you and your four-legged BFF are ready to hit the open road together.

 

 

 

By Keilah Keiser

5 Facts About Dogs You Didn’t Know

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Raising a dog can be filled with discovery. Day-to-day interactions with our canine family members brings us joy and teaches about unconditional love. But there still may be a few mysteries – some facts about dogs you may not know.


Dogs like music depending on its type. Just as music influences our moods, it has similar effects on dogs. In a study done in Psychology Today, researchers found that heavy metal music incited more barking in shelter dogs. Classical music had a relaxing effect. An SPCA paper published in Scotland, found that many dogs seem to prefer soft rock or Reggae. Wind instruments such as the clarinet, saxophone or flute, tend to provoke howling. Check out Spotify’s Songs for Dog Therapy playlist. It is geared toward what dogs like and includes selections such as Fur Elise, Canon for Dogs and Dog Spa music.


A dog’s sweat glands are located in its paws. The sweat produced in the paws has a salty smell that has been compared to the scent of corn chips. On a very hot day, keeping a dog’s feet wet helps to cool them down. Because sweating through the paws has limited cooling capacity, dogs pant as a more efficient way of cooling off. Panting enables body heat to escape through the membranes of the throat, mouth and tongue.


Dogs can bond deeply with one person. A dog may see his favorite human as a pack leader, caregiver or best friend. Dogs can be drawn to someone’s demeanor, tone of voice, or way of moving. They can sense when they are loved and when they are being ignored. The bonds dogs form are based on trust and mutual respect and take time and attention to grow. Spending quality time with your dog in activities that are fun, helps to create a special closeness and emotional chemistry that can deepen the bond between you. The BarkHappy app gives you access to special places and events that you and your dog can share and enjoy together to help you form a closer bond.
A dog’s nose print is unique. While humans can be identified through their fingerprints, for dogs, a nose print is uniquely individual. A dog’s nose consists of small ridges and bumps that form distinct pattern groups and lines. In the past, paw prints were used for identification, but a nose ID is now considered to be more reliable.
Tail wagging doesn’t always mean happiness. While most of us associate tail wagging with a content dog, it can also be a signal that a dog is agitated, fearful or insecure. According to Psychology Today, dogs wag their tails as a social communication with the tail’s position and movement being the key to understanding its meaning. A tail held at middle height is a sign of relaxation. When the tail is held vertically, it’s a dominant signal. Lower positions are a sign of submissiveness, with the extreme being a tail tucked under the body. Dogs will move their tails rapidly at the sight of someone they know, and more slowing with strangers. If they are moving their tails strongly to the right, it indicates a positive interest and an excited state. A tail moving to the left is a sign of more negative emotions such as anxiety or aggression.

A dog’s nose print is unique. While humans can be identified through their fingerprints, for dogs, a nose print is uniquely individual. A dog’s nose consists of small ridges and bumps that form distinct pattern groups and lines. A nose ID is considered more reliable than a paw print.