How to make your garden safe for dogs
If you’re a pet owner with an outdoor space your pooch loves to explore, then discover our advice on how to create an outdoor space the whole family can enjoy this spring – even the furry ones.
It’s no secret we love dogs! All our stores are dog-friendly, and we have a dedicated programme of events throughout the year, including Hopping Hounds, Pup-kin Patch and Santa Paws. Our restaurants even have dog-friendly dining areas!
Your garden can be a harmonious living space that both pets and owners can enjoy. However, you should make sure the area is safe for your furry friends before letting them run loose, as some popular garden plants can be toxic to dogs if consumed. Horticultural expert Monty Don recently shared his tips and tricks to creating a dog-friendly garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025, including pet-safe plants. Keep reading to find out our recommendations to help you create a safe and welcoming environment for your pup.
Choose plants safe for dogs
There are lots of different plants commonly found in gardens that could make your dog ill if eaten. Some might only cause a slight upset stomach, but some plants are highly poisonous and should be avoided at all costs, especially if your dog is overly inquisitive.
You can always speak to our Green Team in-store when you’re buying a new plant to find out if it’s dangerous to pets. In an emergency, or if your dog has eaten a plant and you’re not sure if it’s toxic, always contact your vet in the first instance.
If you already have these plants in areas that your dog frequently explores, replant them into raised planters and containers to keep them away from curious pups.
Plants that are poisonous to dogs if eaten:
- Amaryllis
- Bluebells
- Azalea
- Daffodils
- Lilies
- Sweet peas
- Lupins
- Ivy
- Hydrangea
- Tulips
- Cyclamen
- Delphiniums
- Lily of the valley
- Rhododendron
Protect your plants
Playful pups bring lots of joy to the garden, but their energy could be a bit much for delicate plants. Choose your plants with care. Young plants or those with delicate stems might not stand up well to excited paws dashing through flower beds! Consider putting these plants in raised containers or protected spots. In your flower beds, choose sturdy shrubs and hardy, well-established perennials that can handle a bit more activity.
If you’ve got a young puppy or particularly lively and curious dog, making the most of container displays means you can enjoy colour in your garden without worrying about playful paws causing damage. Most of our bedding, shrubs and perennials look great in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets, meaning you can still create an interesting flower display that your dog can sniff without getting too close.
Create a dedicated zone for dogs
Your dog loves your garden just as much as you (maybe even more!), so if you have the space, giving them their own special area for play is a great way to make your garden dog-friendly. It also keeps the rest of your garden looking its best. In this dedicated area, you can use sand or bark for digging and fill the area with their favourite toys and treats to stimulate their senses and decrease the risk of them digging elsewhere in your garden. Dog-friendly plants like cornflowers, calendula, and some herbs like rosemary, sage and thyme are safe for dogs to sniff. These can be planted to give them a dedicated area to explore with their nose.
Dogs mainly see in blue and yellow, so to make it pleasing to your pets’ eyes as well as your own, plant yellow and blue dog-friendly flowers like pansies, asters and sunflowers.
Create shady areas
It’s important to be aware of the amount of sun your dog gets in the garden, especially in the summer months. To ensure you garden is a fun and safe space for your dog this summer, it’s a good idea to create shaded areas where they can keep cool. You can do this with sun parasols, gazebos, or naturally with trees like Birch or Maple, or even large shrubs like camellias. These can all help provide shade for your dog during hot weather spells. You can also add a pet-friendly water feature to your garden to give dogs extra entertainment and keep them hydrated on warmer days.
We also have a new range of pet-cooling products just in time for summer, including cooling mats and toys, sprinklers, paddling pools and shelters, all made especially to keep your pooch safe, happy, and cool in warm weather.
Remember, well-behaved dogs on a lead are warmly welcomed into all our stores and in our dedicated restaurant areas, where Puppuccinos are available. Don’t forget to enter our monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies (https://www.dobbies.com/dogs-at-dobbies ), by posting a picture of your dog visiting us in-store, using the hashtag #DogsatDobbies in the caption. We offer a range of exciting prizes each month, including a Dobbies gift card and dog treats and accessories from popular pet brands.