Planting a dog-friendly garden can prevent your garden and landscape plants from harming your dog. Many garden and landscape plants may be poisonous to your dog. The leaves, stems, branches, flowers or fruit may contain toxic compounds that can cause severe illness, seizures, nervous disorders or even death.

The poisonous chemicals we use to keep bugs and weeds out of our gardens can also harm dogs. Weed killers and pesticides can be ingested when your dog chews on your garden or landscape plants, or it may inhale the toxins floating in the air as they are applied.

While organic gardening methods are a bit more labor-intensive, they reduce (and possibly eliminate) the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers. This makes your garden friendly not only for your dog, but for your family and the environment as well.

Plan a dog-safe garden to keep your beloved companion from becoming ill or worse. Consider what landscape plants already established in your yard could be unsafe for your dog if he chews on them.http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_garden.php Then, take steps to protect your dog by replacing them or making them inaccessible. Choose new plants carefully and check with a reputable resource or your veterinarian to be sure they are dog-safe.

This guide, How To Make A Dog-Friendly Garden, will help you keep your dog safe from being unintentionally harmed by your gardening efforts.

These commonly grown ornamental plants can be toxic to your dog if he eats them: Jerusalem Cherry, Morning Glory, Foxglove, Oleander, Rhododendron, Trumpet Vine, Lily of the Valley, Nighshade, Sago Palm, Yucca, Holly, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Caladium, and Gladiolas.http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/toxic-garden-plants.html

Most fruit trees and vegetable plants pose little risk to your dog with these notable exceptions:

The seeds and pits of fruits such as apples, cherries, apricots and plumscontain cyanide which can cause difficulty breathing, shock, and possibly death. Pick up dropped fruit from your yard before your dog has a chance to eat it.http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/toxic-garden-plants.html

The green parts of tomato plants, the leafy parts of potato plants and the green skins of potatoes can be toxic to your dog. Garlic, leeks, and onions can cause anemia in dogs.http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/toxic-garden-plants.html

Employ organic gardening methods to avoid exposing your dog (as well as your family) to toxic chemicals. Use the elements that nature provides, such as beneficial insects and disease/insect-repellent plants, to keep garden pests and weeds under control.

Ease up on weed control, allowing a few less invasive species to remain. Their deep tap roots will draw nutrients up to the surface of the soil, and you’ll need less fertilizer. The weeds’ foliage will draw beneficial insects (such as bees and butterflies) to your garden that will destroy aphids and other garden pests. Spend more time picking weeds by hand instead of killing them with toxic poisons.http://eartheasy.com/grow_garden_insectary.htm

Any lawn or garden chemicals that you have must be kept in secure, well-identified containers in a spot where your dog (or kids) can’t get to them. Wrap empty containers well before throwing them in the trash.

Create a barrier between your dog and your garden that will discourage him from digging in the dirt and exposing himself to lawn and garden chemicals.

A wire fence creates a physical barrier that keeps your dog out of your garden while allowing rain and sunlight to reach your plants. If your dog loves to patrol the boundary fence around your yard, leave a strip of grass a few feet wide between your garden plot and the fence so your dog can run between them.http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_garden.php

When fencing in your garden isn’t an option (or doesn’t discourage your digger), make your garden an unpleasant place for your dog to visit by installing a motion-detecting sprinkler system (probably not effective with water-loving dogs) or surrounding it with thorny rose bush clippings. (Don't use plants with long thorns that may poke your dog's eye). Sprinkling cayenne pepper around the perimeter of the garden or around landscape plants may also keep your dog away from unsafe plants.http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_garden.php

However, a dog’s destructive behavior often has its roots in boredom and unspent energy. Going outside with your dog and playing games that exercise him mentally as well as physically can be a great way to prevent your dog from entertaining himself by tearing up your gardens, flower beds, lawn, and landscape plants!http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_garden.php

Set aside part of your yard to create a dog-safe garden for your dog to romp and play in. Training your dog to a spot where he can safely indulge in his natural inclinations to dig and chew can prevent him from tearing up your home garden or landscape plants. Most importantly, it lessens his chance of eating something poisonous.

Dogs love to chew on oat grass and wheat grass, both of which are safe for dogs to eat. Pennyroyal, wormwood, and Old-fashioned Tansies are dog-safe plants that have scents that dogs enjoy. Historically known as fleabane, these plants also have flea-repellent properties and as a bonus, they will drive fleas away from your yard!