Puppies, or young dogs, may look cute and playful, but they also have another face. They are not yet so well behaved and often don’t know what they can and cannot do. If you let them loose in your garden, you may regret it in many cases. In their efforts to have fun and play, they will cause havoc that you will remember for a long time. And the problems don’t end there. There are also many things in the garden that can harm the dog itself. In particular, beware of:
- Poisonous plants
- Sharp objects
- Digested rodent pellets
Set boundaries
First and foremost, before you get started on landscaping the garden, you need to give your dog clear boundaries on what is allowed and what is not. So teach him from an early age that the garden is a quiet place to relax and not the centre of his entertainment. So give him enough stimulus and toys to keep his interest in your flowerbeds to a minimum. Teach him no-no commands and always give lots of praise for good behaviour. If you tire him out enough on walks, he won’t have as much energy to explore the garden.
Flood dangerous and ornamental places
If your garden is decorated with beautiful flowerbeds and you’re worried your backyard might want to play in them, fence them off with a simple mesh or small fence. You can remove the border when the wallflower gets bigger, but while it is still small it is very inquisitive and likes to explore new places. Your beds would probably be no exception.
Use strong aromatic scents
If your wallflower likes to dig and you can’t stand to see your garden dug up any longer, use strong aromatic scents to discourage the dog from digging. Ground mustard or crushed dried pepper seem to be effective. If you’re a coffee lover, coffee grounds are also a reliable deterrent to dogs, and they make a great fertiliser. You can also try sage or a plant called Colues Canina, which itself is supposed to deter dogs and cats.
Create a play area and dog trails
On the other hand, if the garden has become a no-go area for your wallflower, create a special play space, a corner for him to poke and romp. Dog paths that can lead around your flower beds are also very suitable. If you are consistent, the wall will soon learn that the paths are for him and he will not notice everything else so much.