Dog Proof/Friendly Garden - Plant advice

katiep_2

Hi there,

I coming to you for advice in desperation! We rehomed a rescue dog in March, and although I love him dearly, he's a destructive little so and so in the garden!

Our garden was pretty new anyway. We laid turf last autumn (2006), planted a few plants (clematis up the wall, jasmine up the trellis, rose bush, hosta, apple tree and a few others). He has destroyed everything but the rose bush so far! :rolleyes: Having a hyper dog, I'm not expecting to get anything like a perfect garden, but I would like a bit of something in there!

Have you got any advice on plants that I could put in that either
a) Grow so vigorously that as quickly as he destroys it, it'll regrow (I'm hoping once they are mature he'll leave them - he's been fine in parents gardens)
b) Taste nasty, but aren't poisonous
c) Have spikes!!!!

All need to be suitable for the most ungreenfingered people in the world who struggle to keep a houseplant alive!!!

Debt_Free_Chick

How does he destroy them?

To be honest, I'd be inclined to surround the plants or certain areas with posts & chicken wire to prevent him getting to them

Don't put in plants with spikes - they could get embedded in his pads (feet) or, worse, in his throat or stomach.

katiep_2

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Don't put in plants with spikes - they could get embedded in his pads (feet) or, worse, in his throat or stomach.

Good point! :rolleyes:

He chews on everything. We've tried giving him chew toys to occupy him in the garden, but nothing's so interesting as my plants . :mad:

takoo

Hi Katiep

I methinks that you are addressing the problem in a way which will not solve it. The dog holds the solution.

I suggest go for a good training regime - dog schools are all round.

Thats what I did. Without success however!! In the end he jumped up at a baby in arms so we had to have him rehomed.

He went off to a farm in Wales and hopefully is now tarining sheep.

Enjoy your puppy and suffer the garden a little longer - it will come out in the wash

Takoo

katiep_2

takoo - we have been to training every week since we got him. How can you train a dog not to be destructive in the garden when there are no plants left to destroy

takoo

Hi Katiep

When you next plant have some fun with:

• spray the plants with anti-puppy solution
• fence off an area for the dog or the plants
• protect the plants individually
• have some high-rise beds
• give the puppy some toy plants
• put the puppy in a kennel and pen or on a lead
• provide a companion puppy
• create a competion for the champion plant-destroyer puppy.

If I think of some more I'll let you know.

Takoo

guest16

takoo wrote: »

Hi Katiep

When you next plant have some fun with:

• spray the plants with anti-puppy solution
• fence off an area for the dog or the plants
• protect the plants individually
• have some high-rise beds
• give the puppy some toy plants
• put the puppy in a kennel and pen or on a lead
• provide a companion puppy
• create a competion for the champion plant-destroyer puppy.

If I think of some more I'll let you know.

Takoo

Sadly, my neighbors dog. I dont want to call the animal control folks, and I'm willing to put up with picking up other peoples's dog's poop, but I just caught the dog gnawing on the wild rose shrubs in my yard (would not have believed it had I not seen it). I really like my wild roses, and there is 0 chance that the neighbors will do anything about the dog.

What is an "anti-puppy" solution?

Thanks!

shelley_crow

i had a similar situation when we got our puppy, hello puppy, bye bye pretty garden! He dragged the trellis off the shed, chewed the plants and put them back into the hole (upside down). The only solution we found that worked was to cheaply fence off a part of the garden for him to use. We haven't got around to replanting yet but second time lucky eh!

Davesnave

Unfortunately, rescue dogs are often like this as a result of the treatment they've received. Our neighbour had one last year, but after 6 months of failed training lessons and a family life that began to revolve around the crazy antics of the dog, they saw sense and took him back.

I'm not saying do that yet, but be aware that there may be no fix and that, ultimately, it's your own family that must come first, not the dog. In other words, it is OK to fail.

elsien

Might be worth posting this on the pet forum - there's a few people on there who can give advice on dog behaviour, and distraction techniques.
I'm afraid my mutt is now banned from the garden totally - mainly because she bit through the fence to say hello to next door, but also because I was too busy chasing her off the flower beds to enjoy it. Having said that, my mum has bought one of those things you screw into the lawn to tether the dog to which gives it limited freedom to wander round. That might work as a temporary measure?

susieb

Enjoy the dog, forget the garden!
Do you give it enough exercise? if you took it for several walks a day it would have less energy to be destructive.
But some dogs are just like that, my dog is well behaved, but the garden still suffers just with the effects of him weeing alone. But I dont mind, hes well worth it.