Ground cover for puppy run.

Lucky Me · 02-20-2009, 07:04 PM

I claimed a side yard for my dogs, I don't like my pups visible from the main road with all the traffic & buses going by.
It was full of junk, so I worked at it and cleaned it up. It is 7ft x 27ft.
I plan on cutting out a screened window in the bottom of the fence for the puppies, so that they can view people, cars, garbage trucks, etc.
BUT, it is dirt & weeds.
What kind of cover should I put on the ground? it drains well.
1)-I was once was told to use pea gravel, but someone elsewere thought they read about someones puppy eating pea gravel and requiring surgery. Anyone heard of this happening? (this was what I originaly planned to use)
2)-Someone else on a forum said that they liked "playscape mulch". They said that "it does not have splinters or dirt in it. I'm not sure exactly what kind of wood it is, although it does not smell like pine or cedar." Is this natural, or does it have some ind of trearment to it?
3)-I did use hay last time when it was snowy & wet. It was messy although as long as I freshened it up, it basically will kept the puppies clean.
I would really prefer something along the lines of the gravel/playscape stuff.
Help!!! Anyone have any ideas or have something that works for you with your pups? Thanks!

annabelles mom · 02-20-2009, 07:47 PM

no clue on the ground cover - but I would use plexiglass instead of screen which they could easily tear and possible escape route or entrance for an unwanted critter, also just a thought, do you want your dogs to see all the cars, buses, people etc , do you think that will create more barking?

Lucky Me · 02-20-2009, 09:14 PM

I have a giant roll of 1/2" x 1" bunny wire left from my parrots, I don't think that they will be able to rip that!!!

This particular fence is also about 25' from the front yard fence, and they will be looking out through the bottom of a lilac bush, so they will not be real visible from the street.
I just want them to see the big world. They are so curious as babies, they like to see whats going on. If I do not do this, all they have is the side of the house and the other 3 sides are all 5-6 ft. fences. My neighbor hood isn't really very busy......
If it doesn't work I will just cover it up. i just felt it fair to give the little guys some senery..

annabelles mom · 02-20-2009, 10:09 PM

ah, well I'm sure they will be ok then, I was thinking window screening. maybe you should put some of those doggie bubbles in the fence so they can see out

Jac · 02-21-2009, 04:10 PM

Hey, I love that bubble fence!
Judi, every thing I have ever tried for puppies ends up being eaten or dug up. It always turns to mud...I have tried and tried...and gave up. Now I try to give them something grassy...and I am considering planting clover instead of grass but have not tried it yet.
Also, be careful....those puppies can climb! My moyen Poodle, at 5 lbs, scaled our 4' x-pens with no trouble at all...her brother climbs 6' fencing...and most of our other pups have climbed to some degree...so don't rely on that to keep them inside unless you have some sort of topper on it to make it so that they can't get over the top!
We have a new dog park in town and it is great! They have several feet of sand, topped with sand of larger size grains and then topped with yet larger sized...so it isn't gravel, but drains well. It would be a mess in a house, tracking it in, but it is great for a play yard! Come and visit...I'll take you there! :

02-20-2009, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Lucky Me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,744	Ground cover for puppy run. I claimed a side yard for my dogs, I don't like my pups visible from the main road with all the traffic & buses going by. It was full of junk, so I worked at it and cleaned it up. It is 7ft x 27ft. I plan on cutting out a screened window in the bottom of the fence for the puppies, so that they can view people, cars, garbage trucks, etc. BUT, it is dirt & weeds. What kind of cover should I put on the ground? it drains well. 1)-I was once was told to use pea gravel, but someone elsewere thought they read about someones puppy eating pea gravel and requiring surgery. Anyone heard of this happening? (this was what I originaly planned to use) 2)-Someone else on a forum said that they liked "playscape mulch". They said that "it does not have splinters or dirt in it. I'm not sure exactly what kind of wood it is, although it does not smell like pine or cedar." Is this natural, or does it have some ind of trearment to it? 3)-I did use hay last time when it was snowy & wet. It was messy although as long as I freshened it up, it basically will kept the puppies clean. I would really prefer something along the lines of the gravel/playscape stuff. Help!!! Anyone have any ideas or have something that works for you with your pups? Thanks! __________________ Judi,Tuesday, Marley, Easy (and little Reba too!) www.judiblueszoo.com

02-20-2009, 07:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
annabelles mom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: lkkkkkkkkkkkkk Posts: 6,837	Re: Ground cover for puppy run. no clue on the ground cover - but I would use plexiglass instead of screen which they could easily tear and possible escape route or entrance for an unwanted critter, also just a thought, do you want your dogs to see all the cars, buses, people etc , do you think that will create more barking?

02-20-2009, 09:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lucky Me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 1,744	Re: Ground cover for puppy run. I have a giant roll of 1/2" x 1" bunny wire left from my parrots, I don't think that they will be able to rip that!!! This particular fence is also about 25' from the front yard fence, and they will be looking out through the bottom of a lilac bush, so they will not be real visible from the street. I just want them to see the big world. They are so curious as babies, they like to see whats going on. If I do not do this, all they have is the side of the house and the other 3 sides are all 5-6 ft. fences. My neighbor hood isn't really very busy...... If it doesn't work I will just cover it up. i just felt it fair to give the little guys some senery.. __________________ Judi,Tuesday, Marley, Easy (and little Reba too!) www.judiblueszoo.com

02-20-2009, 10:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
annabelles mom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: lkkkkkkkkkkkkk Posts: 6,837	Re: Ground cover for puppy run. ah, well I'm sure they will be ok then, I was thinking window screening. maybe you should put some of those doggie bubbles in the fence so they can see out

02-21-2009, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Re: Ground cover for puppy run. Hey, I love that bubble fence! Judi, every thing I have ever tried for puppies ends up being eaten or dug up. It always turns to mud...I have tried and tried...and gave up. Now I try to give them something grassy...and I am considering planting clover instead of grass but have not tried it yet. Also, be careful....those puppies can climb! My moyen Poodle, at 5 lbs, scaled our 4' x-pens with no trouble at all...her brother climbs 6' fencing...and most of our other pups have climbed to some degree...so don't rely on that to keep them inside unless you have some sort of topper on it to make it so that they can't get over the top! We have a new dog park in town and it is great! They have several feet of sand, topped with sand of larger size grains and then topped with yet larger sized...so it isn't gravel, but drains well. It would be a mess in a house, tracking it in, but it is great for a play yard! Come and visit...I'll take you there! :

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Labradoodle Forums Advertisement