By Bardi McLennan

A Word To The Dog:

Just about the only things you are allowed to do in the garden are sunbathe (briefly) and swim (only if there’s a pool and only if you have been taught how to swim and how to get out of the pool) and then, only by invitation. Lakes, ponds and rivers have the same restrictions. If you’re lucky, your people will join you when you’re playing with your toys. Toss and fetch are fun on the grass.            

Some of the things you are NOT allowed to do include picking flowers or veggies, peeing on or near plants, transplanting bushes, digging to make your own swimming hole or to bury bones or any stolen objects. Nor should you try to bury that awful gift from Uncle Harry! Pay close attention to what your people teach you because when you’ve learned all the rules, you’ll be given free run of the garden. Literally.                               

The fence that surrounds the garden is there for several reasons, mostly to keep you safely inside and stray people and animals on the outside. Do not dig under it to crash the party next door. If you had been invited, your people would have taken you – on leash.                         

Garden parties at your own house can be fun if you know how to behave. Begging pays off very well during outdoor meals, especially at barbeques (but don’t bury the bones). And do not lick carelessly left plates or delicious-smelling napkins. All paper goods are dangerous when eaten (very indigestible) and could mean a trip to the vet.

And a Word To The Dog’s Owners:                               

Digging is a basic, normal canine activity. Dogs dig not only to bury (or retrieve) treasured possessions, but they’ll dig down into the nice cool earth in the summer, or dig down into the snow in winter. Rufus may also dig up small vermin such as moles and mice. He will dig as a form of exercise if he’s not getting enough in other ways. Digging also alleviates boredom. Now that you know all that, it’s easy to see that unwanted digging can be avoided simply by providing walks that are interesting to the dog (not just long boring ones) and by adding more vigorous playtime. Plus that ever-watchful eye called Prevention.

Instead of keeping the dog out of the garden, teach him how he must behave in it. With a new dog, be sure he has emptied out in his designated “bathroom” area. Then, keeping him on leash, walk him around the bushes, past flower beds, bird baths and whatever else is in your garden that you don’t want him getting into. Use the “leeeave it” warning, or a sharper “Uh-uh” if he gets too close. One such walk-about is not going to do it, but this is a good time to practice “heeling.” That’s the key word. Practice, practice, practice!          

Many house and garden plants are poisonous to dogs. For example, bulbs such as amaryllis, daffodil, hyacinth and tulip, plus lilies, morning glory, nightshade, fox glove, and some of the berries. There are long lists of potentially harmful plants, so your best bet and easiest route is (once again) prevention. Teach your dog he cannot go near anything growing in your garden.            

Well-trained dogs can be great gardening companions. When you’re weeding, keep a puppy, or new dog, on leash beside you so you have control over his urge to chase butterflies or join you in digging. Gardening tools and gloves are huge temptations to a dog. Keep him occupied with his own toys and be prepared to use the “Leave it” and “Drop it” commands. An occasional small treat for a “good dog” is much appreciated. If you have a true sneaky-thief on your hands, try dabbing Grannick’s Bitter Apple on the handles of the garden tools and on the edge of the tool box. It tastes so horrible you won’t have to say a word.   

Take an active play break when your assistant gardener gets restless or whenever you yourself need to stretch.  Remember always that dogs have a normally higher body temperature than people do and suffer heat stroke easily. Keep Rufus mostly in the shade and out of the midday sun.                      

Until next time -  BE GOOD!

 -Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award this year.