How to make an exciting dog play area at home for your pooch (2024)

How to make an exciting dog play area at home for your pooch (1)

Creating a dog play area in or outside your home might just be easier than you think. With many pet owners now choosing to dedicate whole sections of their home to their dogs, it's never been more exciting to create your own dog playroom or outdoor playground in your yard.

You can make the concept as simple or as complex as you like. If you've ever taken your pooch to an indoor dog park, boarding kennel or dog hotel, you may already have a few exciting ideas up your sleeve, but creating a stimulating environment can also be as easy as providing the best dog toys for the job.

This guide will look to show you how you can create a secure environment in which to set up your dog play area, as well as providing a few enrichment ideas to keep your pooch busy.

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How to make a dog play area at home

How to make an exciting dog play area at home for your pooch (2)

1. Secure the area

Whether inside the home or out, you'll want to think about how you can secure the area. If you're looking to set up in the yard, installing a fence is an ideal option. If that feels too expensive, consider a DIY dog fencing kit,which is often easy to install and strong enough for all size dogs.

A dog playpen is a great option too if you wish to fence off a smaller area that'll stop them from getting into too much mischief. You can buy both indoor and outdoor dog playpens, with the idea being particularly useful for energetic puppies. A baby gate or x-pen can also create a contained space on a budget for your pup.

Some pet owners even opt to utilize unwanted space around the home, transforming it into a dog room fit for canine kings, or you could makeover a spare room.

2. Flooring

Dogs love to dig, so you'll want to think about protecting your carpet if indoors, or your grass if outdoors.

For an indoors dog play area, mats are a good option. Opt for play area mats for kids, anti-fatigue mats or rubber mats.

If outdoors, artificial grass is a popular choice for DIY dog playgrounds as it doesn't damage like real grass does with tufts and holes. Plus, no more muddy paws: artificial grass does not become muddy within minutes of your pet being outside.

It can also be a good choice for indoor dog play areas. Choose a rug made from synthetic grass or carpet a room with fake grass. Just be sure to train your dog not to treat the space like it's their new bathroom.

3. Dog sensory area

With dog enrichment officially hot topic amongst pet owners and animal behaviorists alike, a dog play area offers plenty of opportunities to tantalize their senses.

A great addition to an indoors room is a snuffle mat and you can even make your own DIY snuffle mat from spare fabrics around the home. The simplest of all these ideas is bundle all your dog's favorite toys together and place them in the corner, then sprinkle your kibble or treats to encourage your dog to sniff them out. If you want more of a challenge, you can even turn it into a treasure hunt by placing treats around the yard in different locations.

The sensory yard has become a popular concept. It's a specific area set up to stimulate your dog's senses through materials and textures; scents and heights.Many pet owners plant calming plants such as rosemary or lavender and plan out different textures in their yard to make the environment much more stimulating for their pooches.

4. Provide dog enrichment toys

Dog toys are key to any good play area. Look to provide a variety of interactive toys, such as balls and rope toys, and consider rotating them so there's always something new and exciting for your pooch to discover.

If you're looking to leave your dog alone for a period of time, treat-dispensing toys, automatic or for your pooch to discover for themselves, are a great idea. The most well-known of these is the Kong Classic, which can also be frozen on hot days. Once you have purchased the main product, filling it can be fairly inexpensive, with commonKong recipesusing products from your kitchen such as Greek yogurt, some fruit and vegetables, and of course your dog's favorite kibble. On the automatic side, an interactivepet camera lets you both talk to your dog and tosses them a few treats.

To keep your dog's intellect sharp, the best puzzle toys is great for mental stimulation.

How to make an exciting dog play area at home for your pooch (4)

5. Create a dog park in your backyard

Before you set up plans to create your own backyard outdoor dog park, you'll want to examine the space and remove anything that could pose a danger to your pup. This can include toxic plants for dogs and sharp surfaces. Also ensure that you don't use any pesticides and that any fence is completely secure.

Once you've established safety, the yard is your oyster to create a stimulating environment for your pooch. Popular additions include a hardwearing dog pool, which can be turned into a ball, dirt or sand pit when not filled with water.

Obstacle courses are ideal for playful dog breeds with plenty of energy to spare. Great objects include old tires or hoops held at height for your pooch to jump through, while some common household items can do the trick too – if you happen to have some PVC pipes leftover from a DIY project, that's ideal.

Kids often have play tunnels or a plastic slide they've outgrown that can work for dogs,while even a cardboard box can provide a DIY tunnel.

You should also look to provide a range of amenities for your canine companion, especially in warmer temperatures. Make sure you supply a outdoor dog house for shelter and some food and water supplies. You can even get a bit fancy and provide a water feature or clean-up station to give your pup optimum comfort.

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Ashleigh is Digital Editor on PetsRadar. With over 8 years of experience in print and digital media, she has acted as an editorial lead on a variety of projects, with animal themes a keen interest. As an avid animal lover, you can often find Ashleigh checking out the newest trends in animal care or looking at cute cat videos on TikTok.

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How to make an exciting dog play area at home for your pooch (2024)

FAQs

How to make an exciting dog play area at home for your pooch? ›

Choose a variety of interactive toys, such as tugs and balls, that you and your dog can enjoy together. Remember that dogs do get bored of toys, so it's a good idea to have several different types and rotate them, leaving only a couple out at a time. Put the spare ones in a box.

How do you excite a dog to play? ›

Many of them are free (or very inexpensive).
  1. Play Hide-and-Seek. Just like people, dogs can find hide-and-seek to be great fun. ...
  2. Go “Find It” “Find it” is a great alternative to hide-and-seek. ...
  3. Take a Scent Walk. ...
  4. Try a New Route. ...
  5. Play With Puzzles and Interactive Toys. ...
  6. Munch on Frozen Treats. ...
  7. Scatter Feeding. ...
  8. Practice Training.
May 18, 2023

What is the best surface for a dog play area? ›

#1 - Pea Gravel

Our favorite material for dog play yards is, without a doubt, pea gravel! This finely ground and smoothed gravel essentially acts as kitty litter for your dogs.

What is the best material for a dog run area? ›

Choose the right materials

Instead, you should consider a stone like pea gravel, limestone or gravel chips, as well as screenings as the base of the dog run. These materials are not only soft on your dog's paws, but it also provides the right amount of drainage needed for the area.

How to build a dog play ramp? ›

How to make a dog ramp
  1. Step 1: Measure and cut the plywood. ...
  2. Step 2: Measure and cut the brass threshold. ...
  3. Step 3: Measure and cut the side trim pieces, then nail them in place. ...
  4. Step 4: Glue down the carpet and let dry. ...
  5. Step 5: Attach the metal threshold, add rubber feet, and you're done!
Mar 26, 2020

How to create an area for your dog? ›

7 Dog-Friendly Backyard Ideas On a Budget
  1. Install a Dog-Friendly Fence. Dogs need plenty of space to exercise and get the zoomies out of their system. ...
  2. Choose a Dog-Friendly Ground Cover. ...
  3. Grow Dog-Safe Flowers and Plants. ...
  4. Create Shade in Your Yard. ...
  5. Install a Water Feature. ...
  6. Build a Backyard Dog Path. ...
  7. Install a Sandbox.
Jun 20, 2023

How do I engage my dog in play? ›

Here are games that can keep everyone engaged and having fun:
  1. Chase a toy: Throw a ball or other toy for your dog to fetch and energetically encourage him to bring it back. ...
  2. Search: Hide toys and treats in a room and then encourage your dog to find them. ...
  3. Human hide and seek: ...
  4. Be the Squirrel: ...
  5. Find it!

What do dogs like to play on? ›

Fetch toys – many dogs enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees®. Oddly shaped rubber toys (such as Kongs®) bounce erratically and make the game more fun. Flying disks come in many shapes and sizes, including soft versions that are easier on the dog's mouth.

What surface do dogs not like to walk on? ›

Here is a list of the top problem floorings: Polished marble floors. Smooth hardwood floors (there are some hardwoods that are more distressed and easier for your pup to get a grip) Slippery sealed concrete.

What is considered rough play for dogs? ›

Roughhousing is just part of the fun and in most cases, it's completely healthy, safe and harmless. However, sometimes it can become dangerous if a pup takes it too far. It's totally normal for dogs to play-bite, bark, chase, swipe, and lunge, as long as it's in a gentle and friendly manner.

What is the best rock for a dog potty area? ›

Because of their surface stability, superior drainage properties, and overall ease of maintenance, crushed rock and gravel are the best landscape rock options for outdoor dog areas. While river rock and pebble have many other applications in your yard and outdoor spaces, gravel is the best landscape rock for dogs.

What is the best thing to put in the bottom of a dog kennel? ›

PVC Outdoor Tiles. Outdoor Patio Tiles are among the best flooring for outdoor dog kennel products when your dogs will be spending time outdoors or over a concrete surface with a floor drain. They deliver a surface that is non-slip and comfortable.

Is it bad for dogs to go back and forth between houses? ›

Some dogs can settle in just fine to a life split between two homes, but this is not always the case. For many dogs, it is a stressful way to live and not ideal for them.

How much room does a dog need to play? ›

To figure out how much space a singly housed dog in your care needs to meet the exercise requirement, multiply the dog's minimum floor space requirement by 2. The exception to this rule is if you have planned and documented other opportunities for exercise.

How do you set up a dog party? ›

6 Party Planning Steps for Your Dog Birthday Party
  1. Find a Fitting Venue. ...
  2. Choose a Dog Birthday Party Theme. ...
  3. Plan Some Fun Activities and Party Games. ...
  4. Serve Up Tasty Treats. ...
  5. Serve Pupcakes. ...
  6. Dress Up Your Dog in Something Cute. ...
  7. Stage a Photoshoot. ...
  8. Create Doggy Goody Bags for the Guests.
Aug 12, 2021

How to do a dog playdate? ›

Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to organizing a playdate for your pup.
  1. Step 1: Know your dog's style of play. ...
  2. Step 2: Choose your pup's “pawfect” match. ...
  3. Step 3: Pick a dog-friendly venue (and prepare it carefully) ...
  4. Step 4: Let the dogs decide. ...
  5. Step 5: Keep a close eye on your pup's body language.
May 6, 2021

How to turn backyard into dog park? ›

Amenities.
  1. A dog house or a shaded area where he can escape the elements.
  2. An outdoor dog bed for lounging.
  3. A water feature in which to splash around and cool off.
  4. Food and water dishes, and a mat, platform or small patio on which to place them.
  5. Comfortable paths for walking and patrolling.

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