Teaching your dog to respect your garden

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I've often heard people criticize dogs, usually naming a particular breed, as being a problem. Yes, there are differences when training different breeds of dogs, but the biggest difference is the owner. If your dog insists on tearing up your garden, digging holes, barking, or just in general making a mess of things, it's your fault. I hate to say this, but maybe you should not be a dog owner.

The first thing you should know is that, yes, dogs can be taught to respect your garden. Even dachshunds, which were bred for digging, can learn. And they can learn to do their business outside, not on the carpet, too. Oh yeah, and they can learn not to be barking all of the time, which can make enjoying your garden difficult, too. All dogs have one thing in common, no matter what the breed. They aim to please.

Your dog wants to please you, so make things clear. And keep in mind that dogs don't have the same type of long-term memory that we have. If you want to stop digging, spend time in the garden with your dog and catch her in the act. As soon as you begin to see scratching on the ground, that is the time to act. And none of that, "listen, I need a favor..." Walk over and say, "shoo!" or "stop!" It's a command, not a request. You don't need to use foul language or violence. But you need to be firm.

My little wiener dog, Macintosh, is a joy in the garden. She sniffs around looking for her friends, the geckos. I put a plastic one out there, but she isn't fooled!


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