Can I create a sensory garden for my dog? 

If you're looking for garden ideas for dogs, then adding a few dog-friendly features to your garden can stimulate your dog's brain, activate his natural canine instincts, and build his confidence. So, yes, creating a sensory garden for your dog as it will have a huge positive impact on their health and well-being. 

What is a dog sensory garden? 

Sensory gardens for dogs are becoming popular, with the trend catching on from rescue centres that use them as a way to tackle stress in dogs. A dog sensory garden is a space that is designed to appeal to how a dog views and interacts the world. It includes features dogs will find more interesting and engaging, providing physical and mental challenges. 

Dogs don’t interact with the world in the same way we do. Their noses have 50 times as many scent receptors than ours for starters! When we consider how our garden impacts a dogs five senses, we can create a space they find more fun, taps into natural behaviours, and produces good hormones – all reducing stress and satisfying your dog. You just need a selection of the features and plants below from our list below…

How to make a sensory garden for dogs 

 

Best plants for dog sensory gardens 

Catnip – primarily used by cat owners, catnip contains a chemical called nepetalactone which is also known to stimulate playfulness in dogs.

Lavender – has a soothing scent that encourages calmness and relaxation. Lavender is also known to encourage scar tissue regeneration, and is detoxifying.

Marigold - often selected by animals experiencing grief or emotional distress. Marigold also has the benefit of being a natural pest repellent and other medical benefits such as anti-inflammatory and wound-healing qualities.

Meadowsweet - often selected by animals with digestive problems, arthritis, and rheumatic conditions. It contains salicylates, similar to those found in aspirin.

Peppermint - good for its cooling properties with its strong aromatic flavour. Often selected by animals with skin irritations.

Valerian – can act as a mild sedative to help dogs with stress, anxiety, and sleep problems. This can help dogs stay calm and focussed during training sessions too.

Wheat grass – packed with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to improve digestions for dogs and support their immune systems.

Plants to avoid as they are toxic to dogs: Lily, poppy, 

Textures and surfaces

Wood chippings – serve as a great way to add texture and variety to the floor of your dog’s sensory garden. The texture also makes for a great hiding spot for treats.

Bamboo – to add some variety to the space, bamboo is also a natural source of fibre which can help with digestion issues.

Willow – a traditional medicine known for pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties.

Water – if you’re considering adding a pool, you can use a plastic pool designed for children that will bear the burden of claws and prevent mess

Rubber tyres – can be a great chew toy due to their durability and fun for dogs to climb over

Birch - known for its elasticity and toughness, birch can also help with muscular and inflammatory pain.

Sand pit - you can use a child’s oyster paddling pool and then bury treats in it. It can also be shut to keep out rain and cats.

Create a sundeck a couple of feet off the ground - there could be steps and a ramp leading up to it with walkways and tunnels.

Raised platforms – dogs enjoy taking things in from a better vantage point

Tunnels – you could create a willow igloo with a nice tunnel to run through and provide a shelter come rain or shine

Mounds and caves – provide more hidey-holes to explore

Using your dog sensory garden 

Not all sensory experiences for your dog have to be permanent features. You can add things to your dog sensory garden to provide novel and interesting things for them to experience. 

Hide treats or their food – scattering food that your dog has to search out is really rewarding for dogs. To begin, you might need to show your dog that you’re hiding food, but before long you’ll be able to let them loose once you’ve hidden the tasty prizes

Large cardboard boxes – for mental and physical enrichment by providing a safe outlet for chewing and shredding, and a place to hide treats. A carboard box could also be a unique hideout or cozy bed too!

Treat dispensers or toys stuffed with food – they can also be introduced and filled with food to provide an unexpected stimulation for dogs.

Play games – be available for your dog! Enjoy games of tug and fetch – your dog will love being with you

Making your garden safe for your dog 

For it to be a brilliant sensory experience, of course it needs to be safe: 

• Check the garden is secure and has no holes in the fences 
• Encourage people to close gates, or put them of springed hinges 
• Don't use slug pellets or weed killers that could be toxic to dogs 
• Ensure your dog can't fall into ponds, hot tubs, or swimming pools  
• Check any chips you put down for borders are not toxic, such as cocoa chips
• Don't leave out ladders or anything your could fall from 

Creating enrichment in your garden 

Install a good selection of different plants - Avoid anything tropical. Ensure any plants you put in are dog friendly and not poisonous.

Avoid using rubber that is crumbling – it could easily be broken off and ingested.

Create different textured areas - They can be created using non-toxic sand, grass, wood chippings, or gravel, and can provide an interactive area in which you can hide toys and treats.

Evaluate the enjoyment – watch what your dog enjoys as this will give you clues of what to add to your sensory garden. You can regularly tweak the space to keep it interesting and rewarding for your canine companion