If you are fortunate enough to own a Cavapoo, and also have a yard outside at home for them to exercise in, then you will want to make sure that space is safe and sound. There are too many stories of dogs escaping from yards which have not been properly enclosed, or having accidents in what should be a safe space. We have detailed the steps you should take to make sure your precious Cavapoo can safely play in your yard at home.
Keeping your Cavapoo safe in your yard involves securing the boundary, removing physical hazards, taking account of the weather and ensuring you limit their time outside.
So how do we put these tips into action? How can you have confidence that your Cavapoo will be safe in your yard? Read on and we will tell you step by step what you need to do!
Is the Boundary Secure?
The first step is to make sure your yard boundary is secure. Cavapoos are either small or medium dogs, but either way they will have no trouble sequeezing through gaps. It is easy to grow accustomed to the size of your Cavapoo as you normally see them, but get them wet and all their fur will dampen down and you will see just how small they really are!
Have a scout through your yard and check for escape points. Look in particular for gaps between fence posts, under fences, under gates, around gates. You will need to check the entire perimeter to make sure you have considered all exits.
Think about things from your Cavapoo’s perspective too. Are there any attractions outside of your yard that they may be drawn to? Do some parts of the yard give them visibility of people coming to your home, or passers by on the street outside? Can they see your neighbor’s dog? These areas will be points your Cavapoo will have more motivation to make a break for it, so it is important these areas are looked at carefully.
Remember your Cavapoo could go under (gaps, or even dig under), around, or even over. Are there any structures they could climb and then get over your fence or wall?
Get a roll of chicken wire to close off any gaps, make sure they chicken wire holes are small enough (some wire has big holes that the smallest of Cavapoos could squeeze through). If you want to be extra sure they will not escape, bury the chicken wire approximately six inches underground on the side you are securing.
Eliminate Hazards!
The best solution for dealing with hazards is to eliminate them. There are many hazards in a yard that could hurt or even kill your Cavapoo, so it is important you identify all those that apply to you and deal with them.
Here is a checklist of hazards to get you started:
- Toxic plants and vegetables
- Gardening chemicals
- Ponds and swimming pools
- Backyard fires
- Wild animals
- Dangerous insects and worms
- Gardening equipment and tools
Let us dig into each of these hazards in a little more detail to help you plan a safe yard for your Cavapoo.
Toxic Plants and Vegetables. There are many plants which are harmless to humans, but toxic to dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has a helpful list which you can run through to check for any dangerous flora in your yard. This can also help when you are undertaking landscaping and selecting your plants. Remember, just because it looks nice, does not make it safe!
Mulch is a common component to many garden flower beds, but what is your mulch made from? Cocoa mulch is dangerous to dogs and should be avoided. Choose an alternative when you can.
Your humble veggie patch is another source of dangerous temptations for your Cavapoo. Your dog’s impossibly good sense of smell may make them curious to munch on some of the homegrown vegetables you are producing, but this can end in trouble. Onions, tomatoes, rhubarb and garlic are just some of the foods we eat without thinking, but which would be harmful to our beloved dog.
Homes Alive has a very helpful list of vegetables that are dangerous for dogs and if you are planning anything on this list, think about how you can grow them in a part of your garden your Cavapoo does not have access to.
Gardening Chemicals. Many gardeners will have a large stock of chemicals at hand to treat and improve their garden. Unfortunately, many of these are harmful to your Cavapoo so caution should be exercised.
Lawn fertizilers or other grass treatments can stay for up to 48 hours or more after a lawn is dry. During this time make sure you keep your Cavapoo away from the grass and try and help them have their bathroom break elsewhere. Always check the label for specific warnings for pets.
Other chemicals used in a yard should always be stored in a place safely away from children, and this should be extended to Cavapoos also. This can include pesticides / poisons used to deal with rodents (mice and rates), slugs, and other unwelcome critters.
You may have other chemicals stored in your yard for other purposes, such as for your car. Products such as antifreeze can be highly hazardous and in some cases deadly to dogs so should be put far away from your canine friends.
The best approach is to do a walk around your yard and look for chemicals and make sure you move them to a safe storage area out of reach of your pooch.
Pool and pond safety. Any open expanse of water can be tempting to a Cavapoo but also very dangerous. There is the risk they go exploring and their curiosity leads them to fall in and be unable to exit.
You should also consider the potential for bacterial growths like blue green algae (Cyanobacteria). Blue green algae loves still water areas and when temperatures rise above 75°F it can make an unwelcome appearance. Keep an eye out for any unwelcome bacterial pests.
The safest bet is to keep all water areas well fenced in your yard so your Cavapoo has no access at all.
Backyard Fires. You may have a fire pit or make regular fires in your yard for pleasure or to burn garden waste. In either case, make sure your Cavapoo is safely away and supervised whenever a fire is lit. You should also check the area of the fire afterwards too, to make sure you do not have any hot embers left that your Cavapoo could inadvertently walk across.
Wild Animals. Depending on where you live, you may have a variety of wild animals for your Cavapoo to contend with. These can include raccoons, possums, foxes, bats, skunks and badgers. Some of these are known carriers of rabies, while others would not hesitate to defend themselves against an advancing Cavapoo defending its territory. Think about what is prevalent in your area and take appropriate precautions to protect your Cavapoo from them.
Insects and Worms. Your Cavapoo does not operate with the same standards of cleanliness that you and I would adhere to, so they may pick up a worm or two whilst rummaging around your garden. These worms include tapeworm, heartworm, hookworm, lungworm and hookworm. Your vet will be able to advise on what is prevalent in your area and offer appropriate vaccinations to deal with these dangerous parasites.
You should also think about dangerous insects and arachnids. Depending on where you live you may need to contend with poisonous spiders or scorpions. If you do, it could pay to get your yard professionally sprayed to keep these nasties at bay. But remember to keep your Cavapoo safely out of the yard while it is being sprayed and until it is safe to return.
You may also need to protect against fleas. Fleas are to be found outside, so the more time your Cavapoo spends outside the more at risk they will be. Your vet will be able to help with flea treatments which will avoid your Cavapoo getting a worrisome infection.
Sharp Tools and Yard Equipment. You may store yard equipment outside and you should carefully consider if any of these can hurt your Cavapoo. Garden tools like rakes, shears, scythes and machetes can all injury a Cavapoo if placed in a hazardous location. If you are mechanically minded, you may also have equipment stored in your yard which could include sharp components and tools. Best bet – keep all such equipment locked up safely in a shed or garage or stored high and out of reach of your pooch.
What if it’s Hot?
Putting your Cavapoo outside in hot weather can be a real issue. Dogs do not sweat like humans; in fact their only sweat glands are on the pads of their feet – their Merocrine glands. The main way a dog regulates its body temperature is by panting, a process which brings colder air into the dog’s lungs.
Added to their limited ability to sweat is the fact that Cavapoos generally have thick fleecy or curly coats. This combination means you have a dog which can easily overheat on a hot day. Extreme overheating can lead to heat stroke which can be deadly for dogs (a great reason why you should never leave a dog locked in a car on a warm or hot day).
Before you put your Cavapoo outside, touch the ground with the back of your hand to test how hot it is. If it is too hot to hold for more than a few seconds, it will be too hot for your Cavapoo’s paws and you should avoid putting them in the yard.
If you will be supervising, on very hot days you may wish to consider a paddling pool for your Cavapoo to cool off. This can be fun for you and them, provided you are supervising at all times and your Cavapoo can safely exit without your assistance.
Cavapoo owners tend to cut their Cavapoo’s fur shorter in hot months. This makes sense, and definitely helps a Cavapoo cool off. The downside is this leaves them more exposed to sunburn. So do not cut their fur short if you plan to put them in the sun for long periods. If they already have short fur and you plan to take them out in the heat, consider dog sunscreen which can help protect your Cavapoo from the sun’s dangerous ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Its important you provide lots of shade for your Cavapoo on hot days too. The temperature can be many tens of degrees cooler in the shade than in the direct sunlight and this will contribute to a cooler Cavapoo.
If you want to go for extra doggie brownie points, consider investing in a raised dog shelter (like this one). These are great for hot days; their raised design takes your pup off the hot ground and you can even put a block of ice under the shelter to cool the air in and around the shelter for extra effect.
What if it’s Cold?
For those in colder climates you might not have to deal with the blistering heat, but you may have to worry about extremely cold temperatures. How will your Cavapoo cope with the cold?
The good news is Cavapoo’s usually have thick coats which help to protect them from the colder weather. The bad news is Cavapoos tend to be small to medium sized dogs which makes them less prepared for the cold than larger dogs.
Cavapoos enjoy a bit of time in the snow, so if it is a snow day, take them outside for a play. But do not take them out for too long. If you notice your Cavapoo shivering, take them inside immediately and make sure you warm them up.
For really cold days you may want to invest in a dog jacket and mittens / boots for their feet. Jackets can be a great way to give them a warm boost on cold days, while the boots will help keep their paws warm on cold ground. You may want to get your Cavapoo used to the boots before taking them outside (tip: food treats and getting them to walk to you wearing the boots will help them adapt quickly!)
Lastly, do not worry about the fashion side of their winter jackets. Usually, owners are the only ones worried about making a fashion statement with their Cavapoos – the dogs themselves do not care about fashion and just want to be warm and cosy with you!