The dog is considered man’s best friend. The bond that dogs are able to create with people can hardly be broken, because they bring companionship, tenderness and unconditional loyalty that is almost impossible to compare with other types of affection.
However, who has never been confronted with a dog, puppy or adult, who is the disaster of the house? At first it may seem adorable or charming, but there comes a point when it’s time to teach your pet the manners necessary to live together in peace.
That’s why, on Animal Planet , we bring you some tips to prevent your dog from destroying the garden , because we know what this space of the garden looks like when your dog is too enthusiastic playing in the middle of the plants.
Understand the problem
The first step to stopping your dog from destroying your garden is to understand why he is doing it . Arguably one of the main reasons is that you haven’t trained him properly to stay among the plants, so he doesn’t know how to behave.
First of all, you must teach your dog, puppy or adult, that these are not toys and that he has no reason to destroy them. Maybe that sounds difficult, but it’s not. Training should start when he’s very young, but don’t worry: an adult dog can also learn to respect your garden.
The other part of the problem, besides education, is the reactions you have when you return home and find the garden destroyed. Let’s say your initial reaction is to scold your dog, but that will only make the problem worse.
Why shouldn’t you yell at your dog or punish him?
The nature of the dog will lead him to want to avoid conflict around them, so he will react with the language that you have probably seen when he assumes his role of “culprit”: he remains calm, his ears lowered, he tries to hide, etc.
Your dog does not react this way because he understands what he has done or because he is ashamed, but it is his way of running away from the anger that you vent against him, and which he does not understand. .
Scolding him will only make the problem worse , as it will cause your dog to have stress issues related to aggressive behavior on your part, as he will believe, in his own way, that the bond they have is deteriorating, so he will try to release all that anxiety by destroying more things , not just your plants.
That’s why if you really want to attack the real problem and prevent your dog from destroying the garden, you must understand in advance that this behavior has a reason that is essential to detect, and that in no way will your furry friend does it intentionally (as some paranoid owners may believe when the situation becomes chronic), let alone to get revenge or annoy you.
More than just a problem, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your dog . Take a deep breath when he destroys something and get ready to find out what’s going on.
What Causes Your Dog’s Destructive Behavior?
Your dog’s behavior may respond to certain factors:
- First of all, your dog might be so used to being with you all the time that separation creates a lot of anxiety or even a fear of separation, which he tries to release by destroying your things, or in this case, your plants, if it is an animal that has free access to the garden. The animal does not feel able to be left alone during the day. Remember that the kong is one of the best tools for dealing with the fear of separation.
- Another major reason a dog is destructive is boredom . If you don’t give the dog the amount of distraction he needs with chew toys, walks, runs, and games, he will lash out at everything he sees in your yard in order to burn off that energy he he accumulated. Ask yourself if you are truly meeting his needs, stimulating him enough, and giving him the attention he deserves.
- Your dog may also be experiencing some sort of digestive or stomach upset , so he instinctively chews certain plants to try to feel better. You will need to consult your veterinarian to rule out this possibility.
- Lack of vitamins can also cause it to chew plants in order to cover the nutrient deficiency.
- Some dogs are more sensitive than others to changes or situations that generate anxiety, such as loud sounds, the arrival home of another animal or an unfamiliar person, a move, among others. other factors. In an attempt to release all the fear and stress that this new situation generates, he can take revenge on your garden.
- Along the same line of stress, keeping your dog constantly stimulated is not recommended, as sudden changes in activity and hyperactivity will cause him to try to release all that tension through destructive behaviors.
- Also, it is important to remember that when it is still a puppy, the tendency to destroy everything by biting is normal, due to the discomfort that the appearance of teething produces . Buying bite toys will be essential at this stage.
What to do so that your dog does not destroy the garden?
Once you’ve identified the cause of his destructive behavior, it’s time to train your dog on how to behave around the house yard.
In case of digestive disorders, teeth growth or fear of being alone all day, the best thing is to consult a specialist veterinarian to prescribe the necessary medications or behavioral therapies, depending on each case.
Beyond that, there are some tips you can apply at home to improve your dog’s behavior:
- Education is the most important, so from the beginning it is necessary that you teach him that the plants and the garden itself are not toys , but elements of the environment. How to do ? First of all, when you take him out into the garden, try to keep him calm so that his first reaction to being free is not to rush straight ahead. This is why if he is nervous inside the house, opening the garden door for him in this state is a mistake. If necessary, take him outside on the leash until he calms down or take him for a long walk.
- Once outside, keep toys and objects on hand to entertain him, this way you will prevent him from considering plants as a source of distraction. Either outside or inside the garden, walking your dog and playing with him will help keep him energized and ward off boredom, resulting in a healthier pet.
- One strategy to keep him distracted is searching, which involves hiding small pieces of food around the house for him to spend his day looking for. This will give him exercise and keep him busy. Obviously, you shouldn’t hide food in places that can be destroyed while trying to find food. It is one of the most recommended relaxation exercises by dog trainers and ethologists.
- It is important that there is a certain path, even a small one, between certain plants, to accustom the dog to walking in the middle and not in the plants. Also, avoid leaving uncovered bits of soil visible, as they can easily become their favorite bath.
- To prevent him from considering the garden as his toilet, walk him several times a day so that he does his business and understands that he must not do so in the plants.
- If your dog’s problem is anxiety from over-stimulation, try placing his bed and toys in areas of the house that are away from doorways, so he is not alert to noises coming from outside or fail to listen to people entering and leaving the house.
- If your dog has to stay in the yard while you’re away, put something where he can take shelter and feel safe while you’re out, such as a basket or doghouse. dogs, you will thus avoid that he is afraid by being alone in the garden.
The most reasonable option is not to leave your dog unattended in the garden. Remember that the dog is a social animal that should not live in a garden , because it needs its “pack” or “family” to feel completely happy and safe. A dog that is constantly alone and isolated is not only susceptible to stress and anxiety, but also to a multitude of pathologies that can lead to serious behavioral problems. Having a dog does not mean having a living being chained up in the garden, remember that.