A few thoughts on gardening with dogs

By By Gail Barton / horticulture columnist
Jan. 19, 2003
During my Christmas break, I really enjoyed spending time with my dogs as I worked in the garden.
In fact, now that I'm back at work, the dogs are really depressed! I know many avid gardeners who are animal lovers like me. But to others, the two are mutually exclusive. I tend to agree that you must choose between having a dog or having a garden, if by "garden" you mean "immaculate garden."
In my world, the garden looks lived in. Hanging out on the deck after work with the dogs is one of life's finest pleasures. My husband or I often leave a trail of bottles, cans or misplaced chairs in our wake when we stumble back to the house after dark.
The dogs definitely add to the clutter.
Our petite feist dog, Malva, worships the tennis ball. She is small, but the ferns in our back yard really take a beating as she tenaciously seeks mis-thrown balls hidden in their midst.
We do try to maintain some order in our garden and we do always seem to have dogs. We've found that some types of dogs are more destructive and rambunctious than others so we try to consider dog personalities before adopting a new dog.
Choosing a breed
I learned about hound behavior when I adopted a pound hound during college. It seems that the whole raison d'etre for a hound is to tear up garbage and bark at wildlife. Since college, I've never had another beagle!
Terriers, on the other hand are hole diggers. They are even named for the earth (terre in French) they move. When our fox terrier, Dog Boy, was a puppy, he lived to dig. Tater Head, his daughter, followed suit. Since they've reached middle age, both have changed priorities. Now their hobby is sleeping instead of digging.
Long-haired dogs present their own difficulties. Any vet will tell you that they are much more difficult to keep clean than short-haired dogs. Our geriatric Australian Shepherd Border Collie, Suzie, created her own "collie waller." She refunked there on a daily basis. We swore not to get another long-haired dog when Sue-Sue went on to the Happy Hunting Ground.
In spite of our good intentions, both of our big dogs were road find and both have long hair. So, Boona and Woody are usually adorned with any stick-tight or beggar-louse that is currently seeding. We've just learned to live with it.
Canine psychology
We've also learned that most dogs are territorial. A dog often becomes neurotic unless she has access to the perimeters of her property. In a small, fenced back yard a dog will run along the fence until she wears an unsightly rut into the ground.
My friend, Jim Perry, dealt with this problem creatively. He planted a hedge inside his wooden fence leaving a gap between the two. That space served as a dog "run." Jim's collie could make all the ruts her heart desired between the hedge and fence. The hedge made the rut invisible and Jim didn't have to worry if Martha Stewart popped by.
Like Jim, I've studied a little dog psychology over the years. I've found that my dogs are less likely to dig to get out of the back yard if they can see and react to what's happening in the front yard.
Years ago, we installed a fence in the back yard. We spent a little extra money and allowed the fence to extend to the front corner of the house on one side. While we were away at work, our dogs could joyfully bark at the UPS man and gleefully watch as he ran away. Things like that are important to a dog.
It also seems to be important for a dog to have his own space. Our big terrier, Woody, has a spot under the side porch. His predecessor, Skippy, created a lying down place behind a large abelia in the back yard.
After years of work, it was perfectly molded to his 80-pound frame. He would go there to be alone and to contemplate life. We always knew where to find him if he was missing in action.
Dogs as teachers
If I didn't consider the big picture, I would probably be concerned that my garden is going to the dogs. However, my dogs have a wonderful ability to totally relax, interact with and enjoy the natural world. These are goals to which I aspire.
My dogs may dig a few holes and trample some ferns, but they set a fine example for me. In that respect, I count them among my greatest teachers!