How do I make my garden safe for my dog?

Walk the entire perimeter checking for gaps, loose panels, and low spots, paying particular attention to where fence lines meet at corners and where gates latch, since these are the most common failure points. A fence that comfortably contained a previous small dog may not hold a larger or more determined one, so reassess even an apparently secure boundary with your specific dog in mind.

Identify every established plant, shrub, and tree in the garden, cross-referencing against a reliable toxic plant list, and fence off or remove anything genuinely concerning rather than hoping a dog will simply avoid it. This single audit, done once thoroughly, prevents far more incidents than reactive management after something has already been chewed.

Store fertilizer, slug pellets, and any other garden chemicals in a locked shed or a high shelf a dog cannot reach, and keep compost bins closed, since decomposing food scraps can grow mould that is toxic if eaten. Ponds and water features should have secure, sloped edges or fencing if your dog cannot swim confidently or if the water is deep.

Reassess the garden seasonally rather than just once, since new growth, fallen leaves in autumn, and fresh plantings each spring change what is actually accessible. A quick 10 minute walk-through each season catches most new risks before a dog ever encounters them, and keeping a simple written checklist makes this a five minute habit rather than a task that quietly gets skipped.