Ideas to Block Off Part of a Yard for Dogs

A decorative fence can keep your dogs close but not underfoot.

A decorative fence can keep your dogs close but not underfoot.

You like to entertain, and you love your dogs, but those two things don't always mesh. It's frustrating to try to keep your dogs out of your guests' plates or laps -- or worse, have guests step in forgotten dog poop -- but it's equally frustrating to close them up in your bedroom where they will be unhappy and maybe make a big mess. A solution is to create two areas in your yard: one for the dogs and one just for humans.


A fence is the standard way people generally keep dogs confined, and it's probably the most effective method. However, it's not always attractive. To solve this, you can opt for a decorative wrought iron or painted picket fence instead of chain link or plain wood privacy fences. You can also install several lattices in a row and grow climbing vines, such as clematis, to add color and life to the yard separator. Use your dog's size and personality to help determine what type of fencing is best. If he jumps over things, for example, stay away from short fences with pointy tops. For a small dog, a fence with wide spaces between the posts is probably a bad idea, because he can likely learn to squirm between them and may get stuck.


A privacy hedge can help block off part of your yard to define a space just for your dog. Hedges can take several years to grow as thick and dense as you'd like, so you might need to use a temporary fence. When planted close, about 2 feet apart, shrubs such as boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) will intertwine their branches and create an impenetrable hedge. They can grow several feet high, but you can trim them down to the desired height. You might want to keep them just low enough so your dog can see you over them so he won't feel alone out in the yard -- if he's not a jumper, that is.


A wall can serve several functions in your garden. It adds an interesting decorative element, but it can also serve as additional seating if it's wide enough. It can, of course, help contain your dogs to a certain part of the yard, as well. You can choose from several materials, including decorative brick and stone, to make a wall. Consider a cinderblock wall with spaces between the blocks for an industrial look. You can plant climbing vines along part of it for a colorful pop, but you can also see your dog through the holes in the wall.


When you're planning your dog space, choose an area with plenty of shade for the dog to relax and cool off in during hot weather. Keep his area separate from water features such as pools, in which he can drown, or fountains, which he can destroy with his claws. If you have trouble growing grass in your dog's area, try artificial turf. Newer styles closely resemble live grass but don't require mowing or upkeep, and your dog can't kill it. You can also cover the area with small pea gravel or wood chips to keep your dog from getting muddy and dirty. Check with your local government to determine whether there are space requirements for your dog's part of the yard. Some set minimum requirements, such as 100 square feet of space -- a 10-by-10-foot area.

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