Dog-proof landscaping?
Answers:
I have some experience in this subject as I am landscape designer and have dealt with large dogs several times in the past. Several ideas:
1. Give them their own space. Dog runs work well on the perimeter of your property. For example in your backyard where your exterior fence exists, place another fence 6-8' in front of the first fence. Place plantings in such a way to screen dog run entirely. Dogs want to look out along back so if you have a solid fence, give them some windows or cutouts in the fence to look out.
2. If above is not an option due to space or budget you must first try to keep the dogs out of the beds. I will talk about some semi-dog tolerant plants, but I think this should be the last option because this look often appears as if dogs were the most important consideration in the design rather humans. Note: Gardens are for People. To keep the dogs out of the bed consider a buried electric dog wire and electical collar. For a few hundred dollars you can send a small electrical shock to the dog. These are humane and often very practical. Also, you could consider raised planters made of something substantial like mortared brick or stone. Often these can solve the problem because dogs typically will not jump up and into beds that are raised.
3. Your last option is to use plants and materials that can withstand dog traffic. number one on the list: Big Blue Liriope. This plant can take a lot of abuse;moreso than any other in fact. It's roots intertangle in the soil and can't be killed. Plan on this plant to spread. Mention this plant to so called "gardeners" and they will say it takes over a bed. These "gardeners" don't have dogs. You must compromise if you want your dogs and a landscape. Other plants to consider Ornamental grasses, Barberry, Hollies. Plants with a little bite in them that dogs will remember not to brush up against work best. Other materials to consider: rock. Many gardeners are opposed to using rock groundcover because they have seen it look unpleasant years after installation. Always lay a liner down first and then lay your rock on top. Dogs that lay on rock won't disturb it and it will continue to look good years after installation provided that you didn't lay down lava rock. Yuck!!.
P.S. If the dogs are running across the grass and ruining it you have a problem that can't easily be fixed. Frequent watering, fertilizing, and aeration could help.
Good luck. I hope this helps.
Other answers:
Have they torn up the yard running around on it or by dragging a chain across. If it is the chain, try getting a steel cable wrapped in plastic, similar to a clothes line.
Another thing you can try is certain types of grass are supposed to be more hardy than others. You may look into planting something more stable.
If your looking for a hardy plant that will take up the whole area try ajuga. You can literally mow that stuff and it wont die.
Sorry if I wasn't helpful.
Have they torn up the yard running around on it or by dragging a chain across. If it is the chain, try getting a steel cable wrapped in plastic, similar to a clothes line.
Another thing you can try is certain types of grass are supposed to be more hardy than others. You may look into planting something more stable.
If your looking for a hardy plant that will take up the whole area try ajuga. You can literally mow that stuff and it wont die.
Sorry if I wasn't helpful.
Well the only thing i might tell you to do is maybe section off a part of the yard you would like for yourself to keep nice because a dog is a dog and i dont think there is a whole lot you can do without some kind of obedience training. Oh I also heard if you put mothballs in certain parts of your yard like flower beds, they wont bother them because they hate the smell. Good Luck