Mosquitoes lay up to 250 eggs at a time in still water, which will hatch in 7 to 10 days. If standing water is eliminated weekly, many mosquitoes will be kept from breeding in the first place.

Follow these tips to protect your pet and family:

* Remember to use dog heartworm preventive. Heartworm prevention is a prescription tablet given once monthly. It’s easy and safe to give, in fact most dogs take it as a treat. Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, which are especially bad this year.

* While there have been very few cases of West Nile Virus reported in canines, it’s still wise to observe the following precautions suggested by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). These tips can help safeguard human family members too.

* Keep pets indoors as much as possible at dawn, dusk and early evening when mosquitoes are most active.

* Eliminate areas of standing water that can serve as breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and remember to recheck after each rainfall.

* Change any outdoor water bowls at least once a day to prevent mosquitoes from using them to lay their eggs.

* The APCC does not recommend the use of mosquito control products that contain DEET. Dogs and cats are extremely sensitive to DEET and may develop neurological problems if a product formulated with DEET is applied to them.

* Some topical flea and tick control products for dogs such as Frontline and K9 Advantix contain mosquito repellent. You can order them at a discounted price by clicking on our sponsor’s banners.

* Avoid using pest control products with concentrated essential oils such as tea tree, pennyroyal and d-limonine. These concentrates have caused weakness, paralysis, liver problems and seizures in pets, plus their effectiveness is not proven. Please scratch my itch…pretty please

You can compost your food scraps with worms and reduce the volume of your household garbage by as much as 25%. Your plants will be eternally grateful for this organic treat. It’s especially a neat, environmentally friendly thing to do as a family. Best of all, young boys think it’s REALLY COOL!

Things I’ve Learned About Worm Composters -

1. Any gardener knows that worms are a sign of nutrient-rich soil. Worms are important members of the gardening team, breaking down organic matter into compost. It only makes sense that a worm composter (or worm composting kit) is a great way to speed up the composting process.

2. Like regular compost bins, worm composters are receptacles for kitchen scraps that will eventually decompose. Worm composting bins are specially designed self-contained systems where worms can eat and live while converting your kitchen scraps (and even recyclable paper) into the best, nutrient rich compost for your flowers, plants and vegetables.

3. Best of all, worm composting is virtually odorless! You don’t even need to banish your worm compost bin to the yard; you can keep it in your basement, your laundry room, even your kitchen!

Find affordable worm compost bins, rain barrels and much more green stuff here – Shop now!

Dog Friendly Gardens is one of the few books written on the topic of creating a garden that both you and your pet will love. Every part of this well-written book shows you how garden design and traditional gardening tasks can blend harmoniously with dog ownership. Just like a dog can be trained to respect your indoor living space, he/she can also be trained to respect the garden and its many features.

In this easy to follow, full-color paperback book Dog Friendly Gardens details how to design your yard with the dog in mind by observing dog behavior. The author describes materials that work well with dogs as well as plant selections that can withstand even the most energetic canine. She also explains how to have a lush green lawn without harmful chemicals and offers tips for growing fruit and veggies for the entire family, including the dog! You will learn how the breed of dog (or mix of breeds) can affect garden behavior and how to avoid dog-garden conflict by good garden design and positive dog training. Boundary training, outdoor equipment, and directing digging and elimination to appropriate areas – are all covered in this useful book.

Dog Friendly Gardens not only offers down-to-earth, dog-friendly (and garden-friendly!) advice, it contains lovely, inspirational photos of pooches enjoying their yards. Suggestions on garden design, plant choice, and easy maintenance planning help readers get the most enjoyment out of both their gardens and their dog friends. The book also offers great tips on teaching your dog acceptable garden etiquette — welcome advice from an author who is also a dog trainer.

I highly recommend Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs by Cheryl S. Smith. Cheryl is the author of nine books and numerous articles on the subject of dogs and gardens. She also lectures extensively on both subjects nationally and internationally. She is a member of the Dog Writers Association, Association of Pet Dog Training, and Garden Writers Association.

You can order this interesting and resourceful book here: Dog Friendly Gardens

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”- Groucho Marx

Hardscaping is a practical choice for yards shared with our canine friends because it is low maintenance, practical and very useful.

The benefits that hardscapes add to the landscape are numerous. Here are a few good reasons to utilize them in your dog friendly yard:

• Paver, concrete or stone pathways and walkways create transition by providing clear, recognizable transit areas through which traffic moves from one point of interest to another. This means fewer worn grassy areas in high traffic zones.

• Stepping stone, gravel or flagstone paths can also create zones of interest and make a yard look bigger by altering the perspective and depth of the scene. They add interest and charm to your landscape.

• Retaining walls can be used to change the grade of the landscape. They are aesthetically pleasing while helping with erosion issues.

• Courtyard walls create enclosed spaces for privacy and conversation. Fences can make areas off limits such as vegetable gardens or rose gardens to keep your dog safe.

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• Garden pergolas, with their lattice walls, can screen the view of eyesores.

• Patios and decks establish entertainment, lounging, and dining areas for the family, pets, and guests.

• Stairways and steps leading to and from the house create drama and a sense of grand entrance.

• Arbors and gazebos provide shelter so you can use your yard more. They can protect you and your pooch from a light drizzle or create shade and comfort on hot, sunny days.

• Less lawn area equals less work for you. Also equals less muddy paws tracking into the house!

Contributing factors:

There are several contributing factors that increase the likelihood of developing lawn burn.

* Female dogs are more likely to cause lawn burn than males because they void their entire bladder in one location instead of lifting their leg and marking, like males.

* Large dogs deposit more urine so they increase the quantity of nitrogen in one location, making lawn burn more likely.

* Dogs fed a high protein diet (usually young active dogs) are more likely to produce a urine that causes lawn burn.

* Heavily fertilized yards are already receiving near maximum levels of nitrogen. The small amount of nitrogen in dog urine may be all that is needed to put these lawns over the edge and cause lawn burn.

* Lawns that are stressed are more susceptible to damage. Lawns that are suffering from drought, disease, or are newly sodded or seeded are more susceptible to lawn burn.

Ways To Solve The Problem:

* Saturate the urinated spots with water. When you see a female dog urinating on the grass, grab the garden hose. Turn it on and bring it over to the area where your dog has just relieved herself. Douse the area with water, thereby flushing it and diluting the harmful elements in the dog urine.

* Feed a high quality dog food that does not exceed the pet’s protein requirement. High quality foods have more digestible protein sources that are more completely utilized by the pet and create less nitrogenous waste in the urine.

* Encouraging your dog to drink more water, will help dilute the urine and decrease the risk of lawn burn. Small amounts of non-salted broth in the drinking water may help increase your dog’s water intake.

* Train your dog to restrict their “toilet space” to a designated, less visible area. Most pups are creatures of habit and like a routine. Our dog likes to “go” by the side of the house. It works out well since it’s away from the patio in an out-of-the-way spot not readily seen by guests.

* Replant your yard with more urine-resistant grasses. The most resistant grasses tend to be perennial ryegrasses and fescues.

* If you continue to see brown spots on your lawn – try “ReGreen”. Simply spray it on the problem area and it
works quickly with great results. The brown spot will begin to recover and generate new growth within a few days with just one application. Click on the bottle below for more info:

Note: Before you start implementing changes to correct lawn burn, you need to make sure that your dog is actually the culprit. Several lawn diseases will look like lawn burn, with the small, characteristic brown patches.

First, make sure that the brown spots are in areas where your dog urinates. Most dogs will have an area in the yard that they choose to use as the ‘bathroom.’ Secondly, make sure that the grass in the brown spots is still firmly attached. Grab a handful and give it a steady pull. If the grass is firmly rooted, then it points to lawn burn. If the whole bunch of grass pulls up, roots and all, then you may be dealing with a grub problem.

Dog Lounging on Organic Lawn

Certain varieties of grass perform better than others do under the pressure of life with our canine friends. Two grasses suitable for most areas of the United States are rye grass and buffalo grass. Rye grass is known for growing quickly which is definitely helpful for filling in bare patches caused by urine spots, or a dog’s penchant for digging. In early fall or spring, consider overseeding your lawn with one of these varieties to increase your lawn’s overall vigor and crowd out opportunistic weeds. It’s best to keep your dog away from the area until the grass takes hold.

Buffalo grass, a U.S. native, is enjoying a renaissance since it can thrive in droughtlike conditions or areas of standing water. Its tough, fares well with heavy paw or kid traffic, and grows to a height of only 3 inches. Adaptable and relatively maintenance free, it represents an environmentally friendly option. It can be slow to spread, unlike rye grass, so try it in a small area first to see how it responds to your yard’s conditions.

Kentucky bluegrass is a cool-season grass, suitable for areas with harsh winters. Its known for the rich blue-green color and ability to spread slowly. It simply creeps into areas damaged by your pet so you don’t need to replant or overseed your lawn to repair problem spots.

Adopting a few easy modifications to the way you mow your grass makes your outdoor environment more eco-friendly and kinder to your pet.

* Mow your grass no shorter than 3 inches. Longer grass stands up better to life with an active dog.

* Mow often. Cutting less of the grass blade more frequently causes less damage to the lawn. This allows it to grow healthier roots that survive without fertilizers.

* Switch to a people-powered reel mower. Using an old-fashioned push mower protects the environment from gas emissions and spares your pet from the anxiety caused by loud lawn mowers.

Pooch Enjoying A Carrot Snack

When you’re considering the addition of vegetables to your dog’s diet, it’s important to be aware of ones that are potentially harmful to dogs. Two that should be avoided are garlic and onions since they’re known to cause anemia in dogs if consumed in high enough concentration. Other vegetables that can potentially have adverse effects on dogs include avocados, tomatoes, and wild mushrooms. Also, never feed your dog grapes or raisins because they can cause renal failure.

Never leave your pup unattended in the vegetable garden since the green leaves and stems of many common vegetables can cause a wide range of health problems. Many people with dogs put a chicken wire or other type of fence around their vegetable plot. It keeps the area off limits to curious canines and protects your crop from rabbit damage.

Vegetables Safe For Dogs Include:

* Carrots

* Broccoli

* Celery

* Green Beans

* Spinach

* Sweet Potatoes

To make vegetables more digestive system friendly, cut them into smaller pieces. You can also cook them by steaming in a steamer. Using the steam method will preserve more of the healthy nutrients and phytochemicals than most other cooking methods will. Limit vegetables to no more than a quarter of your dog’s food intake a day and serve them along with a high quality source of protein.

Dog Digging For Pay Dirt

Dogs dig for several different reasons. Sometimes dogs dig to make a cool spot to lay in on a hot summer day. Some dogs (such as hounds) dig to pursue the odor of prey animals such as rabbits. Others can hear or smell insects just beneath the soil and dig for buried “food” like worms and grubs. Pent up energy or boredom causes some dogs to dig for the sheer thrill of it. Or they may dig to try to escape from the yard so that they can go on a tour of the neighborhood or meet favorite canine friends.

Some breeds are predisposed to digging. Like terriers and dachshunds. Dogs with high energy levels may also be prone to dig as a way of channeling their excess energy.

If your dog is digging excessively, first try to determine why. If he’s digging to find a cool spot, make sure he has a shady area to relax and escape the hot sun, plus try offering him his own paddling pool if he’s a water lover like a retriever. Keep a kiddy pool for him in a shady area and he will probably be most grateful. A sand pit in a shady area is another solution.

If your dog is digging to escape from the yard, try to figure out why he wants to escape. Make sure your pet is neutered or spayed so he’s not trying to roam or put himself in harm’s way looking for a mate. If your pet shows signs of separation anxiety, leave your dog in the safety of your house when he or she cannot be supervised. Take him for a walk before you leave – a happy, tired dog is usually a less anxious dog.

If your dog is digging to have fun, show him how to have fun in other ways. Provide lots of exercise and play for him. Food toys are a great way to keep a dog busy when you can’t be around.

For chronic diggers, consider providing a special area of the yard for your dog to dig and teach him that it is acceptable to dig there but not in the rest of your yard.

Here are some tips to keep your dog from digging:


* Provide fun and tiring exercise for your dog every day. A brisk daily walk. A trip to the local dog park. Always keep him busy and mentally stimulated!

* Supervise your dog when he is out in the yard. Reprimand if he starts to dig. Get him interested in doing other things instead (playing with a ball, frisbee or chew toy).

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* Make sure your dog has shade and access to fresh clean water.

* Be responsible and have your pet neutered/spayed.

Hound pup enjoying the garden

Careful selection of woody shrubs will serve your need for a beautiful yard and your dog’s need to patrol and play. You can hide perimeter wear and tear (and other possible eyesores like old fences, utility boxes..etc.) with the colorful leaves or flowering branches of a variety of sturdy shrubs. Many woody shrubs tolerate aggressive pruning and will stand up to most canine activities.

Here are five recommended hardy shrubs for dog-friendly gardens:

1. Lilac
2. Forsythia
3. Red-Twig Dogwood
4. Burning Bush
5. Smoke Tree

These species don’t mind the soil compaction created by heavy paw traffic and generally do well around kids and dogs.

Vines can be another good choice in a pet friendly yard. They draw the eye up and add height and volume to your floral displays. They grow and spread quickly which can mask any problem areas with attractive visual interest.

Try these tough vines as part of your dog-friendly landscape:

1. Trumpet Vine
2. Honeysuckle Vine
3. Caroline Jasmine
4. Clematis
5. Kentucky Wisteria

Another must in a yard shared with canine friends are durable groundcovers. These low growing powerhouses are terrific planted in rock gardens, on slopes, as accents to flower beds, or between stepping stones. They can tolerate rolling, tossing, turning and getting stepped on. The right soft groundcovers are great for a doggy nap area, or for you to walk on in bare feet. They are pretty and very practical, not needing much care or maintenance.

Here are the top five groundcovers we recommend for a dog friendly yard:

1. Labrador Violet
2. Elfin Thyme
3. Snow in Summer
4. Irish Moss
5. Miniature Stonecrop

The plants listed above are more likely to stand up over time to both Mother Nature and canine interactions. A little site planning and preparation, and careful plant selections can make your life easier and make for an enjoyable oasis for your pooch!

The ASPCA web site www.aspca.org/toxicplants has a complete list of toxic and harmful plants.

The first planning step to resolving any behavior challenges is to study your dog’s personality and how it likes to use the landscape. Where does he like to nap? Where does she play? What are his favorite spots to “go potty”? What views does she like to sit or lie down and watch?

Here’s one of the mistakes I made landscaping and our dog, Daisy the hound-lab mix, set me straight: I thought it was a good (clever?) idea to plant a shasta daisy plant near her favorite place to sit in our sideyard. Well, she told me otherwise. She wanted to plant herself in that spot so she had an unobstructed view of the street scene and our neighbor’s yard. She repeatedly sat on the poor daisy plant to get her point across and express her displeasure.

I eventually moved the plant to another spot in the yard where it thrived, and Daisy could again enjoy her perch. I simply put mulch and a stepping stone in that area – it was a pet friendly solution and attractive to humans… a win-win for everyone.

Here are four elements to consider when creating a dog friendly yard:

1. Designated Potty Area - To limit the aesthetic impact to your lawn, encourage your pet to eliminate in the same area each time. Choosing a “potty spot” in an out of the way corner of the yard can hide the damage. Encourage your pet to drink more water which naturally dilutes the nitrogen concentration (cause of lawn urine burn). For boy dogs, there are plants and shrubs that are more forgiving such as flowering, woody shrubs like spirea, viburnum, shrub roses, and weigela.

2. Exercise and Running Area - Most dogs love the exhilaration of a full-speed gallop! For a champion sprinter or ball catcher, make sure to include a long, narrow area of turf to indulge your pup’s need for speed. This strengthens their muscles, banishes boredom and most of all is fun!

3. Shade – A spot to keep cool is a must for dogs that enjoy time in the garden. Your best friend needs a place to escape from the hot sun so a shady area is a very important element to a dog friendly landscape.

4. Water – Dogs need a spot to hydrate in the yard. A source of cool, fresh water they can drink when the need arises especially after a vigorous play session You can easily create a freshwater fountain for your pooch using the popular water garden accessories, or simply bring out a large bowl of fresh water when you sit in the yard together.

In summary, design the landscape with your canine companion in mind and provide plenty of exercise and a few creature comforts. That way, your dog pal and landscape will thrive and co-exist in beautiful harmony.