Gardening With Dogs: 5 Tips To Keep Your Pup Safe
While fresh fruits and vegetables are always a welcome treat, it is important to note that gardens and gardening can be dangerous for those who live with dogs.
Chemicals, sharp tools, and even plants can quickly create an emergency situation for dogs. The last thing you want to do when you're working in your garden is have to stop everything to go to the animal hospital.
Take precautions when your four-legged companion is out in the garden with you to avoid injuring them. Here are some pointers for gardening safely with a dog.
1. Keep Toxic Chemicals and Dangerous Plants Away From Children
While this may seem obvious, especially if you have children, it is important to remember that what is not dangerous for us may be dangerous for dogs.
Make sure that none of the flowers or fruits in your garden have poisonous leaves that could harm your dog if they take a curious lick.
Certain fruits and vegetables can also be harmful to dogs, especially if consumed in large quantities. Avocado pits, for example, can cause tooth damage, choking, and gastrointestinal obstructions.
If you decide to grow plants, fruits, or vegetables in your garden that might be hazardous, make sure your dog can’t get to them unsupervised. Fence off the area or grow them in a location on your property that your dog will not be able to access.
Also, keep chemicals out of children's reach at all times. When dogs consume fertilizers, pesticides, weed killers, and other chemicals, they become toxic. These should be properly sealed and stored in a location where your dog will not be able to access them.
2. Keep Dogs Away From Sharp Instruments
This should go without saying, but accidents do happen. Pruning shears, cutters, hoes, and shovels of any kind can be dangerous.
When not in use, never leave these tools out. This isn't just good advice for the sake of your dog's safety. These tools can cause harm to anyone who enters your yard, including humans.
3. Never Leave Your Dog Alone In The Yard.
You may joke that your dog is your baby, but it is critical that you treat them as such by never leaving them alone.
They may not only dig up your plants, but they may also get into the aforementioned tools and chemicals you may be using on them. So, please do everyone a favor and keep dogs visible.
Even if you're not gardening, you should always keep an eye on your dog when he's outside. Wild animals, dog thieves, and a variety of other dangers may enter your yard. Keeping an eye on your dog can help you respond quickly to these dangers, which could save your dog's life.
4. Keep the gate shut.
This may not be applicable to everyone, but if you have a fence, make sure the gates are always closed. It's easy to overlook this when you're gardening or hauling items into your yard, but always double check.
Dogs, no matter how well trained, are prone to chasing things or simply being curious and wandering off.
While a fence will not completely protect your dog from thieves or wild animals such as coyotes, it will significantly reduce the risks.
Keep them in sight and keep them secure!
5. Give Your Dog a Treat
In your garden, there are just as many benefits as there are dangers. When it's harvest time, make sure your dog gets a share of the bounty.
Seedless watermelons, strawberries, and blueberries are all delicious treats. You can use these to reward your dog for coming inside. It may simply teach them to respond when you call, which can be a very important way to keep them safe in the future.
What other gardening safety tips do you have for fellow dog parents? Do you ever give your dog treats from your garden? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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