Thanks to my dog Lucy I get to spend a ton of time outdoors! All year round we take long walks despite the rain, snow or heat. But, my favorite thing to do outdoors is to hangout in my backyard in the Summer. To make our backyard hangout more fun for these long, hot Summer days I set up a puppy pool and outdoor living room so we can both enjoy the space.

Now, there’s something for both of us to enjoy out here, and we’re just steps away from the kitchen to stock up on Watermelon Treats from the freezer!

Create a Dog Friendly Backyard Space You’ll Love

A Durable Outdoor Rug

One of my favorite things about the backyard “living room” is this woven plastic rug I put down in the grass. I have had it for 3 summers, so the grass underneath is completely gone. But it’s so worth it to have a dedicated space for seating and hanging out. Plus, when I mow I don’t have to move the furniture!

And it was a lot more affordable than putting in a real patio. You can get this same rug in a few different colors on Amazon for $50!

The Best Puppy Pool for Our Yard

The puppy pool is a new addition to our backyard this Summer and it’s a big hit! A couple of times a week Lucy and I are playing in it. I love to sit in one of my Adirondack chairs and read a book while splashing my feet in the pool. I also love to play fetch with Lucy and throw the tennis ball in the pool for her to retrieve.

The dog pool is a great way to get her some exercise and play time when it’s too hot to walk on the sidewalk or hike in the park.

Add Visual Interest with Lights + Plants

The best time in our backyard is late afternoon when the sun has passed over the house and we can play in the shade. I strung some Christmas lights on the fence so that we can stay out here until dusk. The lights also add visual interest to the space. I love how they twinkle int he background of these photos.

Another element that adds a ton of visual interest to this dog-friendly backyard is plants! I have a variety of plants with different shades of green, different shapes and a few pops of color. The giant ferns really make it feel like a lush oasis back here!

Of course, the best part of getting all wet is getting dried off! Lucy loves being toweled off and demands extra butt scratches every time! Does your dog like to be dried off? I asked my Instagram followers and got mixed responses!

Do you have a dog friendly backyard to enjoy this Summer?

Tell me in the comments about your favorite place to hangout with your dog on a hot day.

Thank you to Rose Colored Creative for the fabulous photos.

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