Your Questions About Gardening

GardenersCardiff answers:

This behavior can be anxiety, stress, boredom….or just a very smart dog thinking up things to keep busy!

Crate training is the quickest and simplest way to solve this problem. It worked wonders for my rescued Alpha female who did NOT know how to behave in the house (she trashed it). The crate becomes their ‘safe; place, their dog den – or like their ‘bedroom’ – a calm safe place to relax.

You need to train, give him exercise, discipline and appropriate affection. Make sure you walk him at least once a day for 30 min. Or more.
Then do the crate when nobody is home to watch him.
Do not keep dog in the crate for more than a few hrs. Puppies need to come out every 2 to 4 hours…dogs over 4 months can go a little longer.
Be sure and take dog for walks, let him out in yard for a few hours daily, let him be in the house around people when you are home.
Refer to training books please.

Also be aware that some dogs will always chew and tear stuff up. You can control it easier if dog is exercised, happy, and can be put in crate during stressful or alone times.

Suggest (small book)
“What all Good Dogs Should Know” by Volhard
Simple, easy to read and follow advice on training – it covers all the important “do’s and don’ts”.

For understanding dog behavior and psychology, nothing beats watching “The Dog Whisperer” on National Geographic Channel. Link to Web site below (videos, books, and clips available).

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Sources:

This is GREAT and will help you understand dogs’ needs
The Dog Whisperer
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

See below for sources on training and pack behavior.

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Books
Good Owners, Great Dogs (Paperback)
by Brian Kilcommons (Author), Sarah Wilson (Author)

Training Your Dog: The Step-by-Step Manual (Howell Reference Books) (Hardcover)
by Joachim Volhard (Author), Gail Tamases Fisher (Author)

Dog Training for Dummies (Paperback)
by Jack Volhard (Author), Wendy Volhard ** be sure and get this authors’ version, he is great

How to Be Your Dog’s Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners
by the Monks of New Skete

GardenersCardiff answers:

I find it funny your account’s name is “Sunny” and your Dad likes to garden. X)

This is rather hard to think of lol. Hmm…well Garden decorations almost seems too girly, and plants aren’t the best idea to buy during the winter, unless he has a greenhouse or the area in which he lives in is always warm.
And you’ve already bought him garden tools for his birthday….

Does he need more space to place plants that don’t go into a garden? (like flowers in a pot etc.)
You could always buy him some shelves for his plants, maybe a new garden hoses if his is in bad shape? You could always buy him some sprinklers to make watering the plants easier, if he already doesn’t have some. Whoever said “seeds” isnt a bad idea either. Maybe some new gardening clothes too?
=)

GardenersCardiff answers:

Car