Dogs thrive on physical activity. And when they don’t get the exercise they need, owners may notice destructive behavior like chewing on furniture, scratching the floors and raiding the trash. If these are issues you deal with regularly, it may be time to create a dog-friendly backyard.

Dog-friendly landscaping can help keep your furry friend entertained, minimize destructive behavior and serve as an alternative to frequent dog park visits — a win-win for both you and your dog.

But what does a dog-friendly yard look like, and how do you create one? Read on as we answer these questions and offer some tips to help you create a little slice of dog paradise, right in your own backyard.

A dog-friendly backyard is a space that allows your pup to safely enjoy the outdoors without needing constant supervision. It caters to dogs' need for exercise, play and exploration, which can reduce boredom, anxiety and destructive behavior.

Creating a dog-friendly yard may also mean replacing plants that are poisonous to pets with safer options. And if you want to go all out, you can even build an agility course or play area for your pet. The goal is simply to create a space where your dog has the freedom to safely run, play and investigate to their heart’s content.

There are a few specific areas you’ll want to focus on when transforming your yard into a dog-friendly space, including:

While it may be tempting to leave garden tools like rakes and forks in your backyard for convenience, we don’t recommend it. Tools, especially those with sharp edges, can be dangerous for your dog, so it's best to keep them locked up or out of reach.

Also, avoid products such as weed killers and pesticides. These products can irritate your dog's skin and even be toxic — pesticide ingestion is one of the top 10 toxicities reported among pets. Instead, opt for natural solutions. For example, you can mulch around your plants with seaweed to deal with slugs and pour some vinegar and hot water on your lawn to eliminate weeds.

If you prefer commercial products, don't just believe their labels when they say they're safe for pets. Do your research to confirm they are indeed safe and understand any special conditions that need to be met before you let your dog run free in an area that’s been treated. For example, some products become safe only after drying fully.

If you're moving into a house that already has a live garden (or if you're trying to decide what to plant), keep in mind that many common garden flowers, shrubs and trees are toxic to dogs. Some landscaping plants to remove or avoid to promote your dog's safety include:

• Foxgloves

• Oak trees

• Hemlock

• Oleander tree

• Lily of the Valley

• Tulips

• Alliums

• Aloe vera

• Yew

• Rhododendron shrubs

• Tomato leaves

• Hydrangeas

• Daffodils

• Azaleas

• Amaryllis

• Poinsettias

• Holly

• Cyclamens

• Chrysanthemum

• Most varieties of lilies, including daylilies and Asiatic lilies — they're typically more toxic for cats, but they can also cause gastrointestinal (GI) issues in dogs.

Conduct a thorough walkthrough of your property to check for these toxic plants before you let your dog play unsupervised. Dogs, especially puppies, are naturally curious and like to smell, taste and chew their environments.

We know you're thinking — what options are left when the list of plants to avoid is this long? The good news is that there are just as many pet-friendly options, and many of them double as a natural pest-repellent, including:

• Lemon grass: It's comparable to commercial mosquito repellents and can even freshen your pet’s breath.

• Lavender: It can repel fleas and ticks.

• Mint: It can help banish mosquitoes.

• Marigolds and rosemary: They can prevent fleas.

• Other options include snapdragons, fennel, dill, sunflower, sage and camellia.

When dogs experience stomach issues, they munch on pretty much anything green in sight in an attempt to induce vomiting and get rid of what's causing the ache. So it’s important to pick safe grass or ground cover for your backyard.

Wheatgrass is a great choice, as it can provide your pet with minerals and improve their overall health. You can also opt for:

• Bermuda grass

• Kentucky bluegrass

• Blue oat grass

• Japanese forest grass

• Creeping thyme

• Irish moss

• Labrador violet

• Miniature stonecrop (although invasive, so be careful where you plant it)

• Clover

• Snow in summer

These options are all non-toxic and hold up well to dogs’ rough-and-tumble play. If you don't want the hassle of maintaining real grass, choose grass alternatives like artificial turf or safe no-grass options like pea gravel.

If your furry friend is a digger, encourage them to dig in designated areas by providing attractive options. For example, you can build a small sandbox or use a child's plastic sandbox to encourage your dog to dig there. This can help maintain your lawn's integrity while allowing your pet to explore their natural digging instincts.

If your dog is having trouble getting the message, bury a couple of toys or bones in the sand pit. Once they discover the treasure during their digging adventures, chances are, they'll return to look for more.

Beyond securing landscaping products and picking the right plants and grass, it's also a good idea to include fencing, shady spots and fun features in your backyard to enrich your pet's experiences.

The last thing you want is for your dog to escape from your backyard — or for wild animals to get in. So invest in high-quality fencing. Choose durable materials like vinyl and wood, and maintain a proper fence height — at least five feet for a small or mid-sized dog and seven feet for a large dog — to ensure your pet remains secure as they play.

Further, fill in any spaces in your fencing to keep wild animals out. You can use chicken wire, add gravel fill at the base of your fence or install concrete footings. Other ways to keep your dog inside your fence (and wild animals out) include:

• Installing coyote rollers at the top of your fence

• Moving any jumping aids, like garbage cans, away from the fence

• Limiting your dog's view of the outside and wild animals' view of the inside by adding vines and plastic slats to your fence — the less they see, the less temptation to get to the other side

If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure they always have access to shade so they can cool down and seek refuge from the sun. If you don't have a covered porch, hang a tarp or curtain or place a large patio umbrella in an area your dog can easily access. You can also plant trees, install a pergola or build a dog house.

If you live in a particularly hot area, add a shallow kiddie pool with just enough water for your furry friend to get their paws and tummy wet. Hydration stations and cool resting areas help regulate your dog's body temperature, which can promote their overall wellness.

The more bored your dog is, the more likely they are to engage in destructive behavior or try to escape. So add fun features like agility equipment, digging pits and interactive toys to your backyard to keep them busy.

You can also add water features, like splash pads or shallow pools, on hot days to help your pup stay cool while having fun.

Dogs are naturally curious creatures. As such, they'll likely play with anything and everything they come across in your yard. To ensure their safety, remove all potentially harmful things like sharp objects or small items they can swallow. Also, store away all chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides before letting your dog out.

Be particularly watchful for sticks. Dogs love sticks because they offer sensory stimulation, look a lot like bones, and help them fulfill their hunting and gathering instincts. However, they're also a choking hazard and can cause intestinal issues when swallowed.

So pick up all the sticks around your yard regularly, and if you notice them gagging, inspect their upper palette to see if a stick is stuck in their throat. If that’s the case, quickly rush them to the vet.

You don't have to break the bank to create a dog-friendly backyard. Here are some simple, cost-effective backyard landscaping ideas you can DIY:

• Create a sandbox for your dog using an old kiddie pool.

• Fill up a kiddie pool with water to act as a cool-off station.

• Develop a simple agility course using collapsible play tunnels or PVC piping.

• Use fabric or repurposed materials like an old patio umbrella to create a shaded area.

• Add chicken wire to the base of your fence to prevent digging.

Now that you know which dog-friendly backyard ideas to implement, how do you maintain your yard to ensure your pup has somewhere safe to play all year? Here are some maintenance tips to keep in mind:

• Pick up waste daily to reduce the risk of parasites.

• Create designated potty areas to make regular clean-up easy and minimize the risk of grass lawn damage from dog urine.

• Conduct seasonal safety checks to identify weather-related hazards like icy surfaces.

• Trim plants regularly to remove branches your dog might chew on.

• Wash water features to limit algae growth.

• Inspect your fencing to identify holes or loose boards and repair them as necessary.

• Collect fallen leaves to minimize the risk of parasites like ticks.

A dog-friendly backyard can support your pet's well-being by providing a safe outdoor space for them to play and explore their environment. To make your yard dog-friendly, remove all potentially toxic plants, choose a safe variety of real or artificial grass and install fun, engaging elements like agility courses and water features.

To further enhance your pet's well-being, complement your dog-friendly outdoor space with a nutritious diet from The Honest Kitchen. The Honest Kitchen offers a wide range of high-quality dog food and treats made with wholesome, human grade ingredients to promote your pup's safety and wellness.

Shop The Honest Kitchen’s recipes today to give your pet the energy and vitality to make the most out of your backyard!