Sometimes it is perfectly acceptable to have two loves in your life, for example, dogs and gardens. You can happily enjoy spending time with each one and sometimes you can even bring the two together and nobody will be upset.

Having said that, dogs can pose problems when it comes to your cherished garden and vice versa, as some plants can be harmful to pets. If you want to allow your dog as much freedom in the garden as you can, whilst protecting both your beloved dog and your precious shrubbery, these tips may help you:

Do a plant audit – Depending on the size of your garden, this could take a while. However, it is important that you can identify each plant and research whether it could be potentially harmful to pets. If you move into a new property and haven’t planted them yourself then this should be done before you let your dog out to explore. You might be surprised at how many innocuous looking plants can be toxic or cause an upset stomach for your dog. Even buttercups and daffodils are known to be extremely harmful.

Create a ‘play area’ – It is in a dog’s nature to have a dig around but if you have an area where your dog is allowed to do this, your dog could be less inclined to mess with other soil areas. Artificial grass is also a better alternative to grass that dogs try to eat, so get some prices for artificial grass.

Have sturdy borders – It probably goes without saying that any smaller plants will need some added protection, so get creative with your borders and look at different designs like small walls around raised flower beds.

Check perimeter fencing – One of the biggest dangers of letting your dog roam free in the garden is if they get out and get injured by traffic or get lost. So you have to be very thorough when you check the perimeter for potential gaps. You can be amazed how high a dog can jump when they spot that neighbour’s cat that has been tormenting them for the last week! So make sure you have high fences and there are no gaps where they can dig underneath or squeeze through. If your fences get damaged, get them fixed before you let your dog out and do regular checks of your fencing, particularly after windy weather.

Secure your shed – If you use your shed to keep tools or chemicals, make sure that it is securely closed every time you come out of it. People can get careless and forget about the weed-killer they have left lying around that could cause harm to their dog. There are so many potential dangers in a shed filled with sharp tools, so always lock that door!

Get shady – In the summer heat your dog will be desperate for some reprieve, so set up an area that is always in the shade, regardless of which position the sun is at. If you don’t have large trees or fences that provide shade from the sun then try and create an area with a cover that will not conduct the heat.

Add some fun with water features – Water fountains can be great fun for dogs and can cool them down when they need it. Be careful not to add anything harmful to your water, though, and ensure that any children will be safe around the feature ...

Have a good stock of outdoor toys – If your dog has a good selection of toys and bones to keep them entertained whilst outdoors, they will be much less likely to be causing havoc in your plant beds. Keep stocked up and buying a new toy every so often will probably cost less than the alternative!