Caught red-handed: tasting the newly-planted flowers!

Summer time is here, and for many folks that means outdoor landscaping and gardening projects. But if you have a furry four-legged friend and companion, you will want to take certain precautions to ensure the safety of your dog and the preservation of your sanity.

Dogs love to dig. Many dogs–like our German Shepherd Dogs–want to be involved in whatever project you are working on, including digging in your garden, planting new flowers and shrubs, and trenching out a new irrigation system. Much to our dismay, however, their idea of “helping” might include pulling out our new plants or digging huge holes in our nicely-turned garden soil. Additionally, there are several dangers lurking in the gardening aisle that may catch pet owners by surprise.

Digging
Consider fencing off your gardening area with simple wire or mesh fencing, just enough to deter your dog. You may even be able to find attractive fences for smaller areas that both look nice and provide a visual and physical barrier. Raised beds are another option, although any athletic dog may find these easy to jump into. They do, however, provide a bit of a ‘barrier’ that can allow you to train your dog to stay out of them. Be aware that the use of certain plant foods–particularly those that use or contain blood meal–may actually encourage the dog to dig up the plants. Blood meal smells very attractive to dogs, and placing a little of this in the holes for your new plants may be enough to seal their doom of death by dog digging.

Chewing
Dogs love to chew, and many dogs develop a taste for garden hoses and irrigation systems. Consider investing in a simple yet attractive hose keeper that allows you to roll up and safely store your garden hoses. Not only does this help keep your yard neat, but it keeps your hoses safe. If you are adding drip lines or new irrigation systems in your backyard, consider completing the project first before allowing your dog into the yard–and only then under your supervision. Dogs are naturally curious and will investigate changes in their environment, which includes your new drip lines. This gives you a chance to train your dog to leave your irrigation system alone.

Pet-Safe Landscaping
When designing new flower beds or landscaping , pet-safe plants and mulches should be a top priority for any area accessible by dogs. Several varieties of ornamental trees and plants are incredibly toxic to dogs, include sago palms and azaleas. A searchable list of toxic plants can be found online through the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

Mulches are often necessary for planters and garden beds. Cocoa mulch–while very appealing visually and quite enriching to the soil–can be very toxic to dogs if it is ingested. Unfortunately, the slight chocolatey smell makes it attractive to some dogs, so it may be wise to select a different mulch for areas frequented by your dog.

With a little bit of planning and research, you can turn your summer landscaping project into a visually appealing and dog-friendly masterpiece. Happy digging!