Having access to a garden is a great way for dogs to stay physically active and mentally stimulated. Being outdoors brings variety to your pup’s day and allows them to burn off any built-up energy. The smells, sounds, and textures outside stimulate their senses too.

However, it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect your dog from potential dangers lurking in the garden and prevent the pup from damaging the outdoor space too.

To help you create a dog-friendly garden, Benchmark Kennels have put together a guide on the most effective adjustments you can make.

Ensure your dog is comfortable

Tailoring your garden to enhance your dog’s comfort can help them feel calm, which is especially beneficial if your pup is anxious.

• Outdoor dog kennel

An outdoor dog kennel can act as a den for your dog, providing them with a relaxing area when they need some alone time but still want to reside outside. To encourage your pup to use it, equip the kennel with blankets, food, water, and toys.

However, don’t use the kennel as punishment and carefully follow a responsible training plan, so the dog doesn’t feel isolated.

Eliminate harmful gardening elements

Unless designed with a dog in mind, gardens are often rife with toxic elements that can cause accidents.

• Dog-friendly plants

Certain plants are poisonous for dogs and, if ingested, can cause symptoms including vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, and drooling and would require immediate veterinary attention.

Although consuming too much of any plant can harm pups, here are some low-risk options:

• Sunflowers
• Rosemary
• Camellia
• Fennel
• Roses
• Coral bells
• Snapdragon
• Sage

Also, avoid using chemical gardening products and use natural alternatives instead.

• Lock your shed

If your shed contains chemicals and sharp gardening tools, keep it locked at all times in case your dog wanders inside it.

Protect your pup against theft

Unfortunately, thieves commonly take pups from their own garden, but you can minimise the risk of dog theft by making a few additions to your outdoor space. However, there’s no guarantee that your dog is ever fully protected against theft, so always supervise them when outside.

• Fencing

Fitting a fence that’s at least six feet tall will prevent your dog from jumping over the garden and running away and make it more difficult for thieves to access the garden.

• Gates

Keep any garden gates locked and fit a bell onto the door to scare off any thieves and notify you if anyone opens it.

• Kennel

Place the kennel near the house as fitting it at the bottom of the garden can appeal to thieves. Always keep the kennel locked, too, and consider placing bells on the door, so you’re alerted if it’s opened.

Avoid damage to your garden

Although your dog’s safety is the priority, don’t forget to protect the garden from your dog too.

• Select a designated toilet area

When dogs urinate on a lawn, it causes unsightly brown patches. To prevent this bad habit from developing, follow a toilet training process to encourage them to use a specific spot in the garden that’s out-of-sight. If your dog does urinate on the grass, rinse it down immediately to minimise the damage.

• Create an obstacle course

A bored dog might destroy your garden out of frustration but you can keep them entertained by designing a play area with toys.

You could also create a dog agility training obstacle course to help keep your pup active, teach them tricks and commands, reduce their anxiety, and strengthen your bond. The equipment can include tunnels, tyre jumping, weave poles, and balance beams.

• Pathways

Dogs often enjoy patrolling the garden, so having clearly defining paths can keep your pup from walking right through the flower beds and flattening them over time.

• Dedicated digging spot

Digging is an instinctive canine behaviour that can ease boredom and anxiety, but it can quickly destroy your garden.

Providing your dog with a toxic-free sandbox for digging can deter them from digging up your flower beds and plants.

Precautions for hot weather

During summer, dogs can quickly overheat and develop heatstroke if you don’t implement preventative measures, such as:

• Avoid using artificial grass, as it retains more heat than natural grass, which can burn your pup’s paws.
• Keep plenty of clean, fresh, and cold drinking water in the garden so your dog can rehydrate.
• Install a shallow water feature or set up a doggy paddling pool so your dog can cool down.
• Create shaded areas in the garden with large trees and shrubs.

However, even with these measures, don’t keep your pup outside for too long in the heat, and if they’re exhibiting any signs of heatstroke (e.g., heavy panting, vomiting, weakness, and excess drooling), take them to the vet straight away as it can be fatal if unaddressed.

Implementing these adjustments to your garden will allow you to enjoy spending quality time with your dog outside free of worry.

Need an outdoor kennel to complete your dog-friendly garden?

Outdoor kennels are an excellent way for your dog to enjoy being outside safely and comfortably. At Benchmark Kennels, we offer a range of sheltered, secure and spacious kennels that you can customise to suit your dog’s breed, personality, and size.

For more information on our range of outdoor kennels, contact us via phone or order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly from our website today.

The demand for puppies dramatically increased during lockdown, with many suddenly having an abundance of time to train a new pet. However, the rise in people buying dogs resulted in huge price inflations. Since March 2020, puppies have surged in value by an average of £1,249.

The escalated puppy prices have unfortunately led to a 250% growth in dog theft nationwide. Some breeds are particularly at risk, with Chow Chows now worth an estimated £3,700 and golden retrievers more than doubling in price. Patterdales have increased in value by a staggering 328% too.

As well as the chance to profit from stolen dogs, the crime is also relatively low-risk for thieves. Although the maximum penalty for dognapping is seven years imprisonment, recent reports found that less than 5% of cases result in criminal conviction.

Unsurprisingly, this development in dog theft has left many owners worried and scared of losing their beloved family pet. To help put your mind at ease, Benchmark Kennels have put together a thorough guide on how to protect your puppy against theft.

Identify your dog

• Microchipping

Owners are required to get their dog microchipped and registered by the time they’re eight weeks old. If any of your details change, such as address or phone number, update your microchip account.

• Collars with your name, address and neutered information

Place a collar on your dog, with an ID tag that has your surname, address, and mobile number engraved. Don’t put your dog’s name on the collar, though, as thieves can use it to lure the pup away. Some collars also come with GPS tracking and can connect to your phone.

If your dog is neutered, mark this on the collar because it could discourage thieves who steal dogs for breeding.

• Photos of you and your dog together

Keep clear and up-to-date photos of your dog from different angles, with a groomed and ungroomed coat, in case of the worst happening. Take images of yourself with the pup, too, so you can prove ownership if necessary.

Dog walking safety

Many owners have become frightened to walk their dog after horrifying stories emerged of dogs being stolen in muggings.

To enhance your and your dog’s safety when out and about:

• Vary your walk schedule and routes as thieves may try to learn your routine.
• Always remain aware of your surroundings by staying off your phone and not wearing headphones.
• Walk with someone else where possible.
• If alone, carry an alarm or referee whistle to help you feel more secure and deter attempting thieves – but only use when necessary as it can scare your dog.

Be extremely wary of strangers asking for information about your dog, wanting pictures with the pup, or trying to stroke them. If someone suspect approaches you or a car slows down next to you, don’t walk home straight away as they might follow you. Report any suspicious incidents to the police.

Only let your dog off the lead if they’re unlikely to stray away from you. In case they do run far ahead, dress them in a reflective coat during winter to help you spot them and train them to return on command. Alternatively, use an extendable lead so they can run around without getting lost.

Don’t leave your dog alone

Leaving your dog alone in public, such as in a car or tied up outside a shop, makes them vulnerable to theft. Try to attend dog-friendly establishments so they can stay by your side.

Enhanced garden security

Unfortunately, even when you’re in your own space, you still need to take precautions. According to The Pet Theft Census, 52% of dogs are stolen from their gardens.

Never leave your dog in the garden unsupervised and avoid placing them in front gardens, as this makes it easier for thieves to snatch them.

Lock any gates you have and fit them with bells to alert you when someone opens them. Ensure your fence or other garden boundary is 6ft high with no gaps to keep your dog from escaping and make it harder for thieves to access the garden.

If your dog loves being outside, invest in a secure dog kennel for them to relax in. Benchmark Kennels offer a range of sheltered and insulated outdoor kennels secured with two pad bolts per door. Place the kennel near your property rather than at the bottom of the garden. Always keep the kennel locked and fit it with a bell or alarm to warn you if someone’s trying to break into it.

To make your home safer at night-time, fit outdoor lights in your front and back garden that activate when someone approaches the house, which can deter thieves. Install CCTV for outside your property too.

Always keep your doors and windows locked and shut your curtains and blinds when you’re out. Try to avoid indicating that a dog lives at your home, such as leaving toys in the garden or hanging ‘beware of the dog’ signs.

Safety inside the home

Keep your dog safe at home by installing a security system with an alarm and cameras inside the house so you can check on your dog when you’re out. With smart security devices, you can view the camera footage remotely on your phone and receive notifications if any unusual activity occurs.

Be vigilant of strangers coming to your front door, especially if they’re inquiring about your dog, as they could be thieves assessing your home.

Trustworthy dog-sitters

Dogs who are frequently left alone are vulnerable to theft but hiring a dog-sitter or walker can put off potential thieves. If you can’t use a family member or friend to look after the pup, choose someone from a reputable and licensed company. Check their references, qualifications and whether they’re certified with any professional organisations.

Social media security

Many owners love to show off their puppy on social media, with many dogs becoming Insta-famous, but this can put them on a thief’s radar. If you post about your dog online, always blur out their ID tags, keep your account private and avoid using location tags or hashtags. Never respond to a stranger messaging you about the dog, either.

What to do if your dog is stolen

Implementing these precautions can lower the risk of dog theft, but it’s still a possibility. If the worst happens and your dog is stolen, act quickly to increase your chance of finding them.

Follow the below steps:

• Ring 999 to report the theft and get a crime reference number
• Report the theft to the microchip database
• Report the theft to the local council’s dog warden (if they have one)
• Tell local dog walkers to keep an eye out
• Post about your missing dog on local Facebook groups
• Post about the incident on your social media accounts and ask friends to share them
• Inform local vets
• Report the theft on missing animal sites
• Contact local animal shelters and rescue charities
• Hang posters in your area with clear photos and contact details

Depending on your pet insurance policy, you may be able to claim advertising fees and reward costs to help you find your dog. However, don’t specify the reward amount as this could attract hoax callers or put the dog at risk of theft in the future if found.

In response to this worrying increase in dognapping, more than 300,000 people signed a petition calling for tougher penalties. Until further action is taken, owners need to be highly cautious when out with their dog, enhance their home security, and prepare for the worst.

Need an outdoor kennel to keep your dog safe in the garden?

Outdoor kennels are a great way for your dog to enjoy being outside safely. At Benchmark Kennels, we offer a range of secure and spacious kennels that you can customise to suit the dog’s breed, personality, size, and other requirements.

You can order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly from our website today or contact us via phone to find out more about our excellent range of kennels.

One of the most hotly debated topics in the canine world is which breed is top dog. So we’ve set up a poll for you to vote for your favourite breed.

If you can’t see your choice on the list, tick ‘other’ at the end of the answers and add your favourite.

We’re also interested in whether you’ve changed your habits due to restrictions – you might be unable to walk as much due to travel restrictions. Or perhaps you’ve avoided shops by purchasing dog subscription boxes.

At Benchmark Kennels, we are always interested in any tips that we can share to benefit your dog’s care. Through this survey, we hope to see some popular ways that owners have looked after their dog during restrictions.

We will share the results in a couple of months when we’ve had plenty of respondents!

The festive period is always an exciting time of year, especially when spending it with your adorable dog. Whether you’re celebrating your pup’s first Christmas, or your family dog has been with you for years, ensuring your home remains pet-friendly is key.

While Christmas might look a little different this year, with big social gatherings on hold, there are still many ways the season can feel chaotic for your four-legged family member. To avoid causing your pooch stress, read Benchmark Kennels’ tips on how to prepare them for the festivities.

Decorate your home gradually

Although it’s tempting to deck your entire house out with wreaths, ornaments, tinsel, and lights in one go, this can be quite unsettling for dogs. Instead, introduce the decorations gradually and leave your Christmas tree bare for a few days so they can adjust to their environment’s change.

Christmas tree precautions

Christmas tree pines can get stuck in paws or become lodged in a dog’s throat if ingested so ensure you sweep any fallout from the tree straight away or opt for a fake tree instead if you have a new puppy around. Dogs can sometimes use Christmas trees as urinals too to mark their territory, so avoid leaving them with it unsupervised and conduct a refresh on toilet training if needed.

To dog-proof your Christmas tree:

• Leave the bottom branches bare.
• Place any fragile ornaments towards the top of the tree.
• Avoid hanging any edible decorations, e.g. candy canes and chocolate novelties that are poisonous to dogs.
• Hide any electric wires they could chew.
  Never leave Christmas lights switched on unsupervised.
• Anchor the tree to the floor or wall to prevent it falling over.

Avoid toxic plants

Most Christmas plants, including mistletoe, holly, and poinsettia, are unfortunately unsafe for many animals, including dogs. However, some suitable options can make your home look just as festive, such as red roses, Christmas Cactus, and Autumn Olive.

Create a dog-safe haven

It’s important to provide your dog with somewhere quiet they can retreat from the festive excitement and be undisturbed. An outdoor kennel allows your dog space to relax, play, or sleep in private. As well as providing warmth, safety and shelter, kennels are insulated and big enough for dogs to play in. Being outdoors can also be calming and reduce any excess energy that comes from being cooped up indoors.

Many people light fireworks through the Christmas season which you, unfortunately, can’t avoid. To help your dog feel as relaxed and safe as possible, why not turn an indoor crate into a cosy den. Make it comforting by filling it with soft bedding, toys, and water. Then cover it with blankets to muffle the noise and dim the lights of the fireworks. It’s important to ensure your dog can still see out of it and leave if they choose to so they don’t feel trapped.

Christmas day adjustments

It’s common for usual daily errands and habits to be forgotten about on Christmas day but don’t let this interfere with your dog’s routine. Continue to walk and feed them at the usual times to avoid causing any unnecessary upset or disasters with dogs stealing your Christmas dinner.

If you’re hosting guests or you have young children, make everyone aware of how to keep your dog from getting stressed. For instance, remind them not to approach the dog when in his den or to feed him unsafe food.

While we indulge in lavish food during this period, it won’t benefit your pup to do the same. A lot of the typical Christmas food for humans such as mince pies, chocolate, and onion stuffing isn’t dog-safe, so don’t sneak them any under the dining table or leave unwashed plates out for them to lick. You can still give them a few dog treats, but a sudden dietary change such as a bowl full of turkey can cause stomach upset and lead to toilet accidents around your home.

Many Christmas dinners are followed by pulling crackers, using party poppers, and popping champagne corks, but these noises can be scary for your dog. You could either avoid these traditions altogether or ensure your dog isn’t near or is kept in an outdoor dog kennel when they’re happening.

Adapting your Christmas to suit your dog’s needs doesn’t have to disrupt your entire routine, but can stop them from getting overwhelmed and allow them to enjoy the festivities along with you.

Need a bespoke kennel for your dog to feel comfortable in this Christmas?

Benchmark Kennels are a manufacturer of bespoke kennels, giving dogs a secure and spacious place to stay outdoors when they need some peace and quiet. Each kennel can be customised to suit your dog and home perfectly in terms of size, shape and material.

You can order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly from our website today or contact us via phone to find out more about our excellent range of kennels.

Where’s the elusive Yorkshire Terrier on this beach?

With international dog day fast approaching (the 26th!) Benchmark Kennels have produced an exciting brainteaser for the dog loving puzzle pundits among us. Somewhere below, there’s a Yorkshire Terrier hidden among the bigger dog breeds on this busy beach.

It took us 30 seconds to spot the Yorkie – how long will it take you?

International Dog Day was originally started as National Dog Day in the USA, before becoming a day of celebration for dog lovers all over the world.

Whether you’re considering donating to assistance dogs, or fancy treating your pooch to a really long walk, the 26th of August is a great excuse to splash out on your favourite canines.

This year, we’ve chosen to increase awareness around one of our favourite breeds.

The Yorkshire Terrier has seen the largest reduction in kennel club registrations of any breed over the past thirty years, falling 97% from 24,015 registrations in 1990, to 644 in 2019. We’ve created this spot the Yorkie brainteaser to highlight the reductions in this iconic breed’s registrations across the UK.

Let us know how quickly you find this Yorkie – have you beaten our time?