If you've ever had a dog, you know they don't exactly tiptoe through the tulips. I'm fortunate that none of mine ever had a penchant for digging holes, but my late pit bull, Maddie, used to run through my perennial beds like a weed whacker, leaving horizontal coneflowers and black-eyed Susans in her destructive path.
Her bathroom breaks would also imprint an ever-expanding array of canine crop circles on the lawn.
Fortunately, my little Havanese, Miguel, doesn't pose as much of a threat to my plants, but there are other important elements to consider when planning a garden where dogs and plants can safely coexist.
Maddie, a pit bull mix, stands in a vacant spot between plants in a Long Island, N.Y, garden. Dense garden-bed designs that don't allow for such unplanted patches discourage entry by plant-trampling dogs who enjoy running laps.
Let's start with the lawn
The type of grass you select should be suited to your region and your sun exposure. In my sunny Northeastern front yard, that means starting with a Kentucky bluegrass seed blend, which holds up well against foot and paw traffic, and mixing in roughly 10% each of urine-resilient perennial ryegrass and shade-tolerant fine fescue.
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For further protection, consider incorporating a trample- and urine-resistant groundcover into your grass-seed recipe. I've added clover, which also enriches the soil with safe, nourishing levels of nitrogen (free fertilizer!) and reduces or eliminates groundwater pollution from my property.
If you have a beagle-size dog or two, this will go a long way toward retaining your lawn's integrity. But, to be honest, I don't know of any grass that will hold up against a German shepherd or bull mastiff kicking it up on a daily basis. Still, starting with the most resilient grass species for your growing conditions will give you the best odds possible.
Miguel the Havanese sits on a walkway surrounding a densely planted garden on Long Island, N.Y. Such a garden design could help discourage entry by plant-trampling dogs.
Barriers to entry
Typical landscaping designs often space plants far apart, leaving areas of mulch-covered soil between plants and shrubs. Dogs love to run obstacle courses on those bare paths, kicking up mulch and, invariably, straying into planting beds.
Instead, opt for a dense garden style that allows only enough space between plants for the expected mature size of each. By their third year, most of the gaps will be filled, eliminating the spaces and, along with them, the invitation to enter.
If you grow delicate plants or edibles, you can situate them in a raised bed or surround them with short fencing or another barrier to discourage entry.
Raised beds often are an effective way to deter plant-trampling by rambunctious dogs.
Avoid toxic plants and chemicals
Next, consider safety. Many common plants are toxic to dogs (and cats), so avoid planting them altogether, even if your pet hasn't shown an interest in grazing. A one-time curiosity could spell disaster. Check with the ASPCA for a sortable list of plants (including weeds) that are toxic to cats, dogs and horses, and remove any that your pets could access.
Avoid using chemicals. If you must apply them, keep pets out of the garden until the products have dried or dissipated (read package labels carefully, and observe warnings and cautionary statements).
Create a zone for digging and playing
A lawn exhibits extensive dog-urine damage. Such injury can be minimized by planting somewhat-resistant grass species, flushing the area with water as soon as possible after dog visits and training your dog to use a designated section of the yard.
If your dog is a digger, fill holes and lay sections of chicken wire over favorite digging spots, then cover them with a few inches of soil. I've never met a dog that wasn't deterred by wire.
Diggers will continue to dig, however, so designate a section of the yard where they can do so with reckless abandon. Bury some toys and bones for them to find, and place balls and other toys in there, too. After introducing dogs to the area, watch closely and bring them to the digging zone whenever you catch them in the act elsewhere.
Such a play area or dog run would be a beneficial garden addition even if digging hasn't posed a problem, as it would reduce or eliminate plant trampling and lawn damage. Enclose it with fencing or another barrier that allows you to keep an eye on the dog — and vice versa.
Similarly, if space allows, designate a pebbled or mulched potty area. Train dogs to use it by moving scooped poop to the spot. Their noses will convey the message, but again, you'll have to watch closely and move them to the spot when they show signs of intent to relieve themselves elsewhere. It will take some time, but they should catch on.
Finally, be sure to provide access to a clean bowl of water at all times. It will refresh pups as they play outdoors and, as a bonus, dilute their urine to cut down on burn spots in your grass.
Yes, you'll likely have to lower your aesthetic standards a bit. But getting to relish two of life's greatest pleasures simultaneously is well worth the compromise.
Despite more dogs finding their forever homes, here's why shelters are experiencing a capacity crisis
Despite more dogs finding their forever homes, here's why shelters are experiencing a capacity crisis
Of the lucky pups who were adopted last year, it seems more have found their forever homes: The number of dogs surrendered by their owners has , according to a 2024 report from Shelter Animals Count.Â
Collecting data from 13,527 animal shelters and rescues in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories, the SAC report also found that the overall dog adoption rate has dipped by about 1% from 2023. However, it's worth noting that when this figure is broken down by the types of organizations, figures can vary: Private shelters reported a 2.6% drop in dog adoptions while government-run organizations saw a more positive 3% increase, for example.
In a different analysis, the Best Friends Animal Society's preliminary 2024 data report also found that government organizations have seen the most adoption success. It reported an even sunnier snapshot that dog adoptions between December 2023 and November 2024, with a 10.4% increase in dog adoptions among government organizations. The BFAS report collected data from 688 shelters in the U.S.
While some shelters have seen a rise in dog adoption, reports found that organizations across the board have been feeling the strain. The length of stay for dogs at shelters increased, with larger dogs staying the longest at a median of 20 days, compared to 14 days of stay for small dogs, according to SAC data. That means dogs still waiting for new homes of all sizes are staying longer on average in shelters, limiting shelter capacity.
This overcapacity also has a direct impact on animals that must be put down. The BFAS found that the number of dogs euthanized in shelters increased by 5% in 2024. The number of dogs euthanized in shelters is rising, despite more adoptions, because of a nearly 6% increase in dogs taken in, transferred, or returned to shelters. In other words, there are still more dogs coming into shelters than being adopted.Â
To better understand the trends driving the 2 million dog adoptions in 2024, examined the latest research from , , and other sources.
What shelters are doing to raise adoption rates
As Americans spend more time alone—in what Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called a national "loneliness epidemic" in 2023—many people find companionship in dogs to help counter isolation. Not only can new furry friends reduce loneliness, but they can also help catalyze a livelier social life by getting owners out of the house and into the dog park. Plus, they make the cutest of conversation starters.
Though the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing widespread transition to remote telework increased feelings of isolation, it simultaneously freed up schedules and budgets to welcome new companions. acquired a cat or dog during the pandemic, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. from 2020 to 2022, particularly among higher-income households, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Still, by 2022, a return to the office, rising inflation, and increased veterinary costs put some new pet parents in a pinch, forcing some dog owners to relinquish or rehome their pets in the wake of the pandemic. Shelters have been struggling since to deal with strained resources and trying to nudge adoption rates back up.
While overall dog adoptions may see uneven results across different types of shelters (certain types of private shelters have ranged from a for example) bright spots in the rise can be credited to shelters' proactive efforts to encourage adoptions amid continued capacity concerns, which lead to increased euthanasia rates. Some shelters—including those in Massachusetts and California—waive certain adoption fees to incentivize prospective owners and relieve overcrowding.
Shelter facilities are not alone in their efforts to increase adoption rates. Rideshare company Lyft and the Philadelphia Eagles football team are among the many brands and organizations that have launched initiatives to encourage dog adoption across the country by offering discounted pet rides and paying for adoption fees, respectively.
Similarly, organizations like BFAS and SAC are raising awareness about the capacity crisis, and the benefits of adoption may have helped Americans become more receptive to dog ownership in general and adoption specifically. For example, according to its report, SAC's data raising awareness of the capacity crisis in 2024.
Part of the increase in dog adoptions may be driven by growing awareness of the impact of adoption, considering that within municipal agencies, or government-owned shelters, dog adoptions are up 10.4%, by some measures.
What to consider if you decide to adopt
Those struck with puppy fever should consider whether their household budget can accommodate a new pet before making the commitment. According to the ASPCA, welcoming a dog into the household can in the first year, accounting for one-time expenses such as spay and neuter procedures. After that, dog owners can expect to budget about $1,391 per year, depending on the size and age of the pet.
Additionally, pet owners who travel frequently or have inconsistent work schedules will want to ensure they can afford supplemental care, like daycares or in-home visits, before taking on the time commitment of a dog. While individual needs vary, most dogs without socialization or a bathroom break, according to the American Kennel Club.
Those looking to add to their fur family will want to ensure their current pets are well-socialized before welcoming another dog into the home. Many shelters and adoption agencies allow owners to bring their pets in to meet the potential new pet to ensure they get along.
Another consideration is where to get a dog. In terms of affecting positive change and mitigating the capacity crisis, adoption leads the pack over purchasing from a breeder, according to the BFAS. The group says if just 6% of the 7 million prospective pet owners chose to adopt rather than buy from a breeder, there would be no more needless euthanasia in the nation's shelters—.
Additional editing by Alizah Salario. Story editing by Chris Compendio. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
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