Your backyard looks so gorgeous on Pinterest that your golden retriever decided it was his new kingdom.
And girl, I get it. Last summer, my cousin’s dog destroyed her whole patio setup in two weeks. Chewing furniture, digging holes everywhere, and tracking mud everywhere on her brand new outdoor rug… she was DONE!
It’s something to have a big dog, and you have to have an outdoor space that works for both of you.
What this means for you: A yard that looks pulled-together and beautiful can also be a place that your dog loves to run around in! No more having to choose between cute and functional.
If you’ve got any dog spaces outdoors then these ten dog spaces outdoor ideas are for you and you will fall in love with them. They are spaces that your dog will go crazy over and that you will also want to show off.
#1: The Backyard Dog Zone That Doubles as a Pinterest Dream Space
Mine also probably does the same thing. She bolts into the backyard and grabs whatever she can (something I’m not sure she even gets mad about) and parks herself right in the middle of the lawn as if she owns the place. Because she does.
I can’t help it – I like this set-up in the above photo. A pretty blue-gray painted wood shed anchors my backyard – I like a soft slate color for a shed, and I don’t have a lot of greenery so it doesn’t look like it’s trying to hard. And like my dog, Sprawl, sprawled out on thick, lush grass, a worn soccer ball tucked under her paw like a trophy, that’s the vibe we’re going for!
This is a pre-built gambrel-style storage shed that is usually 8×10 ft and a nice muted blue-gray (Sherwin-Williams Misty or something like that) and had a white trim detail around the door for the cottage feel. This shed stores all of our outdoor dog leashes/balls/water bowls so that my backyard looks clean and dog-free when we have company!
Grab a worn leather or nylon soccer ball sized for dogs (size 3 or 4) – it is tough enough to withstand some serious chewing, so you won’t be replacing it every week!
One thing to remember: On the other hand, a white picket vinyl fence (don’t use wood, it warps) will help keep the space contained and give the yard that storybook feel without needing to be repainted every other day.
Lay down a dark wood mulch along the border beds to create a frame for the grasses and keep the clutter low.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @jasperandcerise
#2: The Dog House Rooftop Lounge — Because Teton Refuses to Sleep Inside His House
How many times have you spent an entire weekend building your dog the nicest kennel, and they just crawl on top of it? Yep. That’s Teton.
Our cedar plank dog house is built with horizontal shiplap-style boards in a deep walnut stain and the flat concrete-topped roof is basically what made this whole situation happen. That roof isn’t just cute, it also gives your dog a raised vantage point that large breeds obsess over, like White Shepherds.
For a rustic look, the rustic log cabin must have rough-cut pine or cedar planks (stained dark with exterior wood stain), a flat roof design with a poured concrete or rubber mat top, and a custom painted wood nameplate sign with a mountain graphic. The open-fronted entry keeps the place breezy on hot days.
Seal every joint on wood buildings with exterior weatherproof caulk. Moisture is the enemy of any outside wood structure.
Real talk: Having a flat roof dog house means that your dog will be using that space instead of ignoring it. Having more flat surfaces for your dog to claim their territory on means they’ll have more reasons to stay outside. If you’re looking for some extra layout ideas, 7 Creative Ideas for Your Outdoor Dog Area has some genius layouts.
The house should be about 1.5 times the length of your dog. This is small enough to keep your dog’s body heat in during winter, yet big enough to provide room for your dog to move around in.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @life.with.alaskans
#3: The Fenced Turf Run — A Dog Paradise Right Outside Your Back Door
Your golden is zooming across the backyard as fast as she can, paws hitting the perfectly green artificial turf and you’re sitting on the porch with a warm cup of coffee. No mud. No brown spots. No emergency towel situation at the back door.
This setup is made with dark charcoal steel ranch style fence panels with welded wire mesh infill. This type of fence keeps the dogs contained without blocking the view of the house. The turf is synthetic grass that is roughly 15-20 feet wide and laid right against the exterior of the house. Three small dogs can be seen running free and not a single paw print can be seen heading toward the white siding.
You can also get a nice look by using 2″ x 2″ powder-coated steel posts in black or charcoal and galvanized wire mesh panels stapled tight between the rails. Your turfy run will be set on a crushed gravel base so that the run will drain well when it rains.
keep the edges of the turf pinned with landscape staples every 6 inches along the fence line. also, the gap between the turf and the fence base should be filled with river rock or decomposed granite so that the dog can not dig under the base.
Also, being able to avoid reseeding the whole lawn, and the muddy chaos that comes with a muddy backyard, and having a clean, green space that my dog uses on a daily basis, is just fantastic.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @thornbridgehillestate
#4: The Tire Playground Setup That Turns Your Backyard Into a Dog’s Dream
your dog is digging up your flower bed again. it leaves muddy paw prints all over the patio and you have no outlet for its energy.
Who would have thought that a pile of bark chip ground cover would help keep mud contained and give my dogs something to land on and also a large tractor tire repurposed and half buried so they can have a raised throne to sit on and a place to jump over.
You can easily recreate this swing set using a used 17.5 inch tractor tire (usually these can be found for free at local tire shops). Add in a gray plastic climbing frame with a tunnel and a white ladder slide you can find at most any outdoor play equipment retailer for around $80-$150.
Scatter some of the dry leaves from the trees around your garden. The dogs love the texture and smell of them so they keep sniffing and exploring rather than trying to destroy the garden!
The tire acts as a natural agility tool for dogs. The traction of their paws on the tire’s rubber edge improves their coordination, making dogs calmer and more focused indoors. Finally a backyard that works for both of you.
Line the outside with natural wood picket fencing to keep everything contained but not lose the cozy feel.
Filling the inside of the tire with sandbox sand allows your pet to dig with the tire as a bonus.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @shawburypaws
#5: The Backyard Play Zone That Makes Tail-Wagging Happen On Repeat
your golden retriever drags that soggy rope toy inside again, an now there’s a wet streak across your entryway rug. i know the feeling.
That backyard looks pretty spot on to me. Lush, well trimmed grass that can be considered it’s own natural play area, a warm cedar fence and two dog toys are easily accessed without hunting through a toy bin or under the couch.
I almost had a meltdown. I HAD to get a new chew toy. I was so nervous that the bulldog wouldn’t like it. Luckily, she LOVES her new chew toy! Can’t beat it, can you? I used a beautiful blue rubber ring chew toy (she’s a pretty aggressive chewer so I went with the speckled teal color) and a navy rope-ball combo toy (which is a rubber ball with braided rope tails attached to it), both sitting on natural green turf grass.
Keeping the lawn cut short, under 3 inches tall, so that toys will be visible, and ticks don’t have anywhere to hide. A cedar wood fence that is 6 feet tall, so the dog can run around freely without being watched over.
And if your dog is anything like mine, having two toys out at once stops the “bring it back” standoff completely. Feature: two toys available at once — benefit: your dog self-entertains — payoff: you actually finish your coffee hot.
Rotate toys every two weeks to keep your dog interested in them. Store extras in a sealed outdoor bin to keep them dry between sessions.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @northern_furkids
#6: The Shaded Garden Bench Nook — A Dog’s Outdoor Retreat That Looks Straight Off Pinterest
There was a moment this past summer when my golden plops herself down in the yard and I realize there is no where for either of us to just… sit together outside.
It’s everything I look for in a garden nook. A weathered teak bench tucked under the canopy of mature trees, surrounded by soft grass, a few clusters of blue agapanthus, and brick pavers. Dogs like a shady spot to snuggle, and this nook gives them the coziness of a ‘den outside’.
this bench is a classic slatted teak garden bench about 4-5 feet wide. it is dressed with rust-toned kilim-style throw pillows and a herringbone brick pathway on the side that has reclaimed clay pavers so that your paws stay cool. the round lawn patch is grown with low grow grass seed so that it stays dense enough for paws to play without getting muddy.
I’d plant the border with agapanthus or bluebells as they are hardy and non-toxic to dogs. Ideally the bench should sit on a flat gravel or brick base so that it doesn’t sink or wobble if your girl jumps up.
Toss a washable canvas bench cushion over the seat to help protect the wood from drool and scratches. Then you won’t have to stress every time she hops up.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @photography_by_dennis_dixon
#7: The DIY Pallet Pen That Gives Your Golden Her Own Backyard Kingdom
My Golden Retriever was zooming around the yard with muddy paws and no sense of boundaries. All I wanted to do was drink my coffee in peace.
This is the ultimate set up for a dog. I’d ship these pallets into a U-shaped enclosure, with them sitting on a bed of wood chip mulch (cedar is best for smell and drainage), and have a small plywood doghouse in the middle, with the entire thing painted in a chalkboard black and deep red.
Grab 6-8 standard 48″ x 40″ pallets (the light-colored, heat-treated ones, or HT, are safe for pets), and stack them vertically. Drive metal L-brackets through the floor to secure the pallets. Fill the pallet doghouse with 2-3 inches of cedar chip mulch, which helps keep the house cool and cuts down on muddy paw prints. Pick up a basic 4-panel plywood kit (with a ramp and blackboard front panel) at most farm supply stores.
My dogs don’t have fleas. I have cedar mulch on the patio and along the sides of my house so there are no chemicals on my dogs’ coats.
Stack some pallets flat on top of each other to make a ledge inside the pen. This will give your dog a higher vantage point as well as helping keep her off the ground if it’s raining.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @olumoon7
#8: The Fetch Zone – A Turf Play Court Your Dog Will Lose Their Mind Over
You know that look your golden gives you right before you throw the ball? Ears up, whole body vibrating, eyes locked on your hand like nothing else in the world exists.
Artificial turf laid over a flat outdoor court provides dogs with a safe, paw-friendly area to play on, and has the benefit of being fast draining and (relatively) cool to stand on in the sunshine. The white boundary stripe which runs along the turf can also be used as a throw line to make each fetch session feel like a proper game.
A much less expensive way to recreate this activity is to use pet grade synthetic turf rolls. As long as you buy rolls that are about ½ inch high, the turf is soft enough for your dog’s paws to slide on, but still firm enough for your dog to dig in and get traction. For this activity we’ll need: Pet-grade synthetic turf rolls (½ inch pile height) A bag of standard 2.5 inch tennis balls A mesh perimeter fence to contain the balls.
And, as a bonus you’ll never have to contend with muddy paw prints on your kitchen tile after playtime!
This is the least glamorous part of dog ownership but has to be done. Rinse the grass with a hose a couple times a week. The bacteria builds up under all those paws pretty fast. We use an enzyme based turf deodorizer spray to help keep smells from becoming a problem.
Two dogs, one ball and one handler. The blue merle in the foreground is mid-crouch. I like this space because it is simple, contained, and can be reused. All of my dog photos have been shot in this space, just with different dogs.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @familypetretreat2019
#9: The Artificial Turf Run — A Mud-Free Outdoor Space Your Dog Will Actually Use
Perhaps you have noticed the look on your golden’s face when she comes barreling in from the backyard with paws that are caked in mud and she runs straight to the cream-colored rug. That happened to me, one too many times.
What a wonderful sight that is! Bright green artificial turf laid out along the long rectangle of a run that skirts a red brick farmhouse. A dog could run the full length without trashing anything.
To recreate the look, you will need: * 30mm pile artificial grass rolls * Gravel border along the perimeter (you can see the sandy gold crushed stone on the right) * Rustic round post fencing and wire mesh on the open side * Wooden pergola posts running down the middle – these posts give structure but do not close the space in.
TIP: Secure the turf edges with galvanized nails or grip strips (the black edging you see along the sides of the turf helps prevent it from lifting, which means no muddy gaps for your dog’s paws to dig into).
The first step is to lay a compacted sand or aggregate base underneath the turf. This will lock in the drainage underneath and stop puddles from forming under the surface of the pitch, making rainy days your friend, not your enemy.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @venaridacshunds
#10: The Lush Grass Lounge — Let Your Dog Claim Her Own Green Spot
I must admit that I am totally fascinated by a dog that is just simply melting into the tall grass. I am immediately transported to this backyard with it’s layered stone garden beds, blue ceramic pots with the prickly pear cactus, and the thick carpet of ornamental grass where this sweet pup has clearly claimed her throne.
Honestly, your golden retriever would lose her mind if she knew about this awesome set up.
The grass here looks like mondo grass or liriope, planted so densely that it’s like a sink-in cushion for the dogs to lie in. It helps that it’s bordered by a stack of limestone retaining walls (maybe 12–18 inches tall) to separate the planting areas and provide a place for the dogs to lie, and there’s a blue glazed ceramic planter (maybe 18 inches tall) to add some color to the corner.
Liriope is a low-maintenance plant that is non-toxic to dogs. Its soft leaves mean they won’t scratch your dog, and its durability means it can handle their lounging. All in all, it’ll look good and work hard.
Keep your grass patch away from cactus areas. The spines on prickly pear plants are not kind to paws.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @splendidgardenslandscaping
The Drainage Secret That’ll Save Your Outdoor Dog Space (Most People Skip This)
Most people set up the cutest dog area outside for their pups but then wonder why it starts to smell like a swamp after three weeks.
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: drainage is everything.
Before you put down any turf, gravel or mulch for your golden, you need a slight grade slope away from your house – as little as 1-2%. If you do not have this slight grade, the urine will pool under your surface material and there will be a warm, sour smell baking in the sun every afternoon.
I know this because I have re-did my dog’s outdoor area twice now because it just kept smelling.
Also, remember that synthetic turf without antimicrobial infill will get dirty. Quickly. It’s very pretty to look at on Pinterest, but it will turn into a disaster by the end of the month.
i used crumbled rubber or zeolite instead. This really neutralizes the odor rather than just sit and look cute.
Your golden (and your nose) will thank you.
Your Sofa Deserves Better Than Dog Hair and Regret
I know you don’t want to get rid of your golden, but your couch does deserve a fighting chance.
Choose one of these covers and wash it this weekend! How nice it will feel to come to work Monday morning with your couch not covered in fur, before you even have your first cup of coffee!.
Still looking for the right sofa? Read our guide to the best couches for dog owners to find out which sofas will actually be able to stand up to the chaos without sacrificing your style.
so what is the one thing that your golden has destroyed that still haunts you?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
