How can I make this space more useable with dogs! They shred cushions?

We got dogs 3 years ago, and they tore up the cushions on the swings. I need seating for the pergola, plus anything to make the space more useable and friendly. It's out of the way, and I want it to be a wonderful destination in the yard but dog friendly. Help!

Need a path or something.... ugh help!

  12 answers
  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 28, 2018

    Give the dogs their own toys and things to entertain them. Get or make cushions that you can take inside when not in use.

  • Rhonda Anderson Hughes Rhonda Anderson Hughes on Jul 28, 2018

    Storage is a problem ish....

  • Rhonda Anderson Hughes Rhonda Anderson Hughes on Jul 28, 2018

    Thank you for your response! We have neglected it due to various factors, but those are just excuses anyway! We cut down part of a tree, and made piles of the branches.... we just cleaned that up today! The vines are wisteria and they are twisting the wood we originally started with... they will twist to death anything they come in contact with! The wood actually lasted longer than we figured they would! Once we get it all cleaned up, I am stumped as to how to use the space still..... the swings are not in good shape anymore, but they are 13 years old! I can't seem to figure out a seating arrangement, or tables or whatever! I have hung curtains in there, but that was way before dogs! We are trying to reclaim our yard a section at a time! Baby steps here! Haha....

    Is there a creative inexpensive way to have some seating, or??? That's my biggest dilema.... I can't run off to Sam's club and buy a patio set or whatever..... we live in the high desert, so not a whole lot of mold and mildew ,which is awesome, but the tradeoff is dry and hot....I have lattice on Top of the pergola and that provides shade, and not a lot of rain gets through between that and the wisteria starting to work across the top... we built the pergola from scratch, using the 4 old porch pillars from my ex husbands house he tore off... been packing them around for years until we built this.... it has looked better in years gone by, but to arrange has been my issue.... plus, need a path to it from the patio.... just throwing it out there in it's current state...😳

  • Rhonda Anderson Hughes Rhonda Anderson Hughes on Jul 28, 2018

    Any pictures out there with ideas of how to redo this space, once the clutter is dealt with! Oh, I must mention that the rusty old thing to the side is a photography prop someone gave me... I used to do a lot of photography in the yard, before dogs.... so that (the old car parts) I need to add more greenery to in my opinion....

  • Oliva Oliva on Jul 28, 2018

    Spray the cushions with something dogs dislike (peppermint, clove, etc.) or purchase the device that when laid atop the cushions and dogs bother them, they receive a mild shock.

    • Rhonda Anderson Hughes Rhonda Anderson Hughes on Jul 28, 2018

      We did buy used electrical collars for the dogs to keep them from 1st, running off and second, trying to keep them from our common areas that we don't want them destroying.... we haven't gone that route totally yet, trying to avoid it, but may still be necessary! Thanks for your advice!😊

  • Rhonda Anderson Hughes Rhonda Anderson Hughes on Aug 20, 2018

    Than you cynthia! Neat site too!

  • Maybe hang the cushions some where you can grab them easily yet put them up when finished.


  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Aug 25, 2018

    Is the pergola sturdy enough to support swings? If so use the swings you have and throw away the frames. Lay rock or mulch under the pergola. Paint the pergola one color to bring it together- if you have many partial cans mix them together and paint it. Then make cushions and pillows by sewing together plastic dog food bags .

    • Rhonda Anderson Hughes Rhonda Anderson Hughes on Sep 23, 2018

      Hey.... great idea for the dog food bags! Sadly, I dont think the pergola can handle the weight.....we did lay stone for the floor in the pergola when we built it, but quickly gets over grown.... it's been tough getting used to dogs, but we're learning, and taking back our yard bit by bit! thanks!

  • Kelly-n-Tony Kelly-n-Tony on Sep 24, 2018

    How about fencing in the pergola area so that dogs can only go in there when you are there to supervise?

    Then lay down landscaping fabric and put the rock on top. That will stop it from being overgrown. If you paint the pergola it will look wonderful I think. I think getting rid of the swings and switching to some other matching seating would look better- especially since the swings have seen better days and can't be hung in the pergola. Maybe some benchs or table and chairs or adrindak chairs.


    Have you been able to remove the metal, wood and other unneeded items from the yard? Share pix of your progress- I think the space could be amazing with work!

  • Kurjeg Kurjeg on May 15, 2021

    Am I the only one who think there is already enough space for dogs?

  • Kelli norris Kelli norris on May 06, 2023

    Maybe make swings with the seating that can be reversed. Padded on one side, and when you’re not using it, flip it over so that the padding is on the inside of a box type seat. Does that make sense? Think of a storage ottoman with a padded seat on one side and wood on the other.