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Believe it or not, our canine companions get stressed. The circumstances and degrees of this can vary from dog to dog since no two are exactly alike, but it’s still something all dog parents must be wary of.

Also, like humans, dogs can show their stress in different ways. To be a responsible dog parent, you must understand your dog’s signs of distress to ensure that both you and your canine companion can maintain a happy and healthy relationship together.

For the record, each of these recommendations for solutions should never replace the advice of your veterinarian. If one or more of these issues appear in your pet’s life and show no signs of stopping, please take your canine to see a vet as soon as possible.

1. Digestion Issues

To be fair, the underlying cause of digestion problems can be hard to pinpoint. Because dogs don’t usually eat like humans do, digestive issues could signify almost anything.

However, if symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, or other digestion issues last longer than two to three days, it might behoove you and your dog to see if there are external stressors that are factoring into their overall health.

Most of all, be sure to visit your vet. They can determine the cause of your dog’s tummy troubles and help you identify stressors that could be causing them.

2. Sudden Aggression

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Aggression is a major issue no matter what, but if it seems to be directed toward a particular person or animal, it may be best to remove the cause until a better solution can be reached.

Naturally, this is a heartbreaking side effect for any pet parent to see their animals exhibit, but the importance of aggression in an animal who hasn’t otherwise shown it before cannot be overlooked.

Dogs can act aggressively when they’re stressed, in pain, or facing some medical condition. See your veterinarian to find the cause. You may also need to consider finding a professional trainer if the aggression continues.

3. Body Language

Often you’ll hear people say that dogs are unpredictable because they can’t communicate with their human family. This isn’t totally true. Dogs have their own forms of communicating that experienced and observant dog parents can identify.

Ears, eyes, and position of the tail are key factors for interpreting your dog’s state of mind and are just as important for determining whether or not your dog is stressed. However, other signs that you might not notice include things such as itching and scratching, excessive drooling, shaking, shedding, yawning, and licking.

Again, none of these signs — either separate or together — are a sure way to tell if your dog feels stressed. However, if you see your pet exhibiting new behavior and doing these things regularly, it might be time to take them to a vet to rule out any alternative health issues such as allergies, skin conditions, and more.

4. Accidents

Going potty in the house when your dog is already house-trained can be another major sign of a stressed animal. Once or twice may not be a big deal, but if it becomes a habit, it might be time to investigate further.

Check to see if there’s a reason your dog may not want to go outside. Is there a new dog in the area? Or a wild animal? Perhaps a major life change has thrown your pup out of sync.

It may also be important to consider your dog’s age in this one. If they are older, stress may not be a factor so much as them not being able to move fast enough to get outside, or they may be suffering from incontinence. Again, this is a harder symptom to pinpoint.

Remember to always be patient with your dog. They’re telling you something is wrong the best way they know how.

5. Sleep, Or Lack Thereof

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If your dog is sleeping less or more than normal, something may be up. Like humans, dogs can suffer disruptions in their sleep schedule when they feel stressed.

Sleeplessness or excessive lethargy might also be a sign of something more severe, so if these issues persist be sure to take your pup to a vet as soon as possible.

Remember, these signs are not guaranteed indicators of stress. No one knows your dog better than you, but if one or more of these things are recurring in your dog, please take them to your veterinarian as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner your dog will be happy, and you will be, too.

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Some dogs nip when they feel startled. While it may not be your dog’s fault that they bite in response to surprises, it is a behavior that you probably want to stop.

The startle reflex is instinctive in animals, and it’s not uncommon for a sleeping dog to bite when awakened by petting, kissing, or other physical interactions. Remember, this reaction is reflexive — not aggressive; it’s important not to confuse the two.

Some nervous dogs nip in their waking hours, too, and snap when someone or something interrupts their focus. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to reduce surprises for your dog and train them to react positively to unexpected approaches.

Make Your Presence Known Before You Approach

Because it would be undesirable — and nearly impossible — to extinguish an instinctive reflex, the solution here is to manage the situation.

If your dog lashes out when awakened by physical contact, get in the habit of clapping your hands, calling out, stomping your feet, or making some other sound from a distance to awaken your dog before you approach.

Just as common is the “jumpy, nervous” dog who bites when startled during everyday waking life. This is likely to happen when the dog is intently focused on something else.

Imagine you’re standing at your window, fascinated by two squirrels merrily chasing each other around a tree. Someone taps you on the shoulder, but you’re so engrossed in the scene outside, you startle at the touch.

Now imagine your dog in the same situation, and their reaction becomes more understandable. Granted, in your case, you probably didn’t bite the person who startled you.

But here again, the key is to get your dog’s attention by making noise before approaching.

Make Positive Associations With Unexpected Approaches

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As for behavior modification, one technique is to tap your dog on the shoulder and then immediately present a fabulous treat, like a piece of hot dog or cheese.

Practice when your dog is wide awake and not distracted. Do five repetitions at each session, and aim for three to five sessions per day.

After a few days, or as soon as you notice your dog looking forward to your tap, try tapping and treating when they’re mildly distracted. So long as they look up, happily anticipating the treat, gradually move to more distracting situations.

With the sleeping dog, begin this exercise when they’re only taking a light nap. Gently tap them, then toss a treat.

Important: For safety, use a wooden dowel or other long, stick-like object to tap your dog; once you start to notice their happy reaction when tapped, then you may use your hands.

Proceed gradually until you can practice this training when your dog is in a deeper sleep.

Does your dog nip when startled? What steps do you take to stop them from biting? Let us know in the comments below!

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Biting everything that moves is normal puppy behavior, but that doesn’t mean it’s fun to live with.

Puppies explore their world with their mouths, just as toddlers touch everything they can reach with their hands. So it makes perfect sense that your pants wouldn’t escape your pup’s curiosity.

So what can you do when your little pooch won’t stop chomping your pant legs? Here are some solutions.

Before You Start Training

There are a few things you’ll need to have on hand, as well as a few things you’ll need to teach your puppy, before you start training them not to bite your pant legs.

First, meet your pup’s need to bite soft objects. Give your puppy plenty of appropriate objects to bite instead of your pants, like sturdy fabric toys made for dogs. You may want to reward them with treats and praise when they chew the right items.

Next, take humane control of your pup’s environment to prevent unwanted munching. This means using a combination of baby gates, safe and supervised tethering, and teaching your pup to settle in a crate so you can use these tools for brief “time outs” when necessary.

Finally, teach your puppy that it’s fun to behave differently. Reward them when they sit to greet or touch their nose to your hand instead of biting, for example. Be sure to pick new behaviors which are incompatible with biting pants.

Training Your Puppy Not To Bite Pants

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Create a consistent sequence when your pup is in a pants biting mood. If your puppy bites your pants, give them a warning cue. “Off limits” might work because you’ll remember it!

Your puppy now has two options: Accept a redirect — your desired option — or continue biting pants, which you should follow up with a brief loss of social attention, or a “time out.”

Offer your pup a soft dog toy to bite instead of your pants. If your pup accepts the redirect and bites the toy or leaves your pants alone, great. No further action needed.

If your puppy ignores the toy and, instead of choosing to leave your pants alone, goes to bite them again, give your pup a Time Out cue, then remove yourself from your pup’s reach.

For example, you can say “Sorry! Got to go now!” Then leave your puppy in a safe, gated room, move out of range of the tether, or gently place your pup in their crate.

The sounds or words you use for the warning cue and the time out cue don’t matter so long as they don’t scare your puppy and you use the same word or sound every time — and so does everyone else who handles your pup.

Wait 20 seconds to two minutes for your pup to calm down. Then approach your puppy, and try again. Consistent patterns and cues make learning easy.

You may need to repeat the bite-warn-time out-repeat process several times before your puppy understands the very predictable pattern — that the way to keep you around is to either not bite your pants or to bite the toy instead of your pants when given the chance.

But, in my experience, if your efforts are consistent and clear, they do catch on eventually!

Let Your Dog Burn Off Puppy Energy

Last but not least, make sure your puppy is getting enough exercise and sufficient opportunity for “wild puppy time.” You may find that the pants biting activity peaks at dawn and dusk.

Some puppies need to be left alone in a dog safe area for a while at peak activity times early in the morning and again in the late afternoon or early evening so they can tire themselves out by chasing toys, chewing bones, and playing until they fall asleep in an adorable heap.

Have you ever dealt with a puppy biting your pant legs? How did you teach your dog to chew appropriate items instead? Let us know in the comments below!

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Whenever we’re sad or depressed, we try to find things that will make us feel better. We’re also lucky enough to be able to communicate and vent out our issues to others who care about us when we need to. The same can’t really be said for our beloved dogs if they happen to be sad, lonely, or depressed.

But they have their own ways of communicating. We have to pay close attention to our dog’s behavior to figure out if something is wrong. And if you’re close with your pooch, then it isn’t hard to figure if they’re feeling down.

If you happen to find your dog’s mood change for the worse, here are five ways to cheer them up when they feel depressed.

1. Help Them Stick To A Routine

Often times the reason our pups get sad or depressed is because of a major change in their circumstances. Those changes can be things like moving to a new area, losing a companion (human or dog), or maybe adjusting to their environment after adoption.

Giving them a specific routine can help them cope with all the new changes in their life. Knowing when they’re going to eat or go out for a walk will help them understand what’s going on and help them adapt to their new environment.

Start walking and feeding them at the same time each day. Make sure you’re getting out the door on schedule. Develop a nighttime routine before bed. Sticking to a schedule may end up helping you make some life improvements, too!

2. Take Them Out For Some Exercise

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Sometimes we all need a little breath of fresh air to relax the nerves. It’s way we can all find calm under anxiety or stress. This method is no different for your pups.

As long as there’s not underlying physical health problems, taking them outside for a walk or to the dog park can certainly help lift their depressed mood. And just like running can give you a “runner’s high,” so too can it help your dog if they’re feeling sad.

Your dog will get the added benefits of improved health that come with exercise, too, and you’ll get a nice workout while you bond.

3. Reward Positive Behavior

Though it’s tempting to try and comfort our pups by giving them treats to change their mood, it might reinforce their feelings by teaching them to associate negativity with rewards.

We want to make sure we don’t reward undesirable behaviors with treats. Try and get your pup to do healthy and fun activities, like going out for a walk or socializing with other dogs.

If you start to notice them in a better mood, that’s when it’s best to give them a treat or reward.

4. Let Them Socialize With Other Pets

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Sometimes all our pups need is a little comfort from other pooches. Socializing with other dogs can be great. Dogs are certainly empathetic creatures, and they can sense when another is sad or depressed.

Sometimes they’ll try and get your dog to come run with them around the dog park or tug on a toy lying on the floor. It’s always good to let your dog spend time around others of their own kind, as most dogs are sociable pets who do not like being alone.

In fact, if your dog is happy around other animals, they may appreciate you considering adoption of another furry friend. Lots of dogs get depressed when they feel lonely, and a companion to play with while you’re not around might be perfect for them.

5. Spend Extra Time With Your Dog

No matter what’s going on that’s making your dog feel sad or depressed, the best antidote can sometimes be the simplest solution — spending some extra time with your pup.

As pet parents, we’re usually with our dogs more than anyone or anything else in their lives, and they get most of their interaction and love from us. It’s something that they most certainly can feel emanating even through simple gestures like feeding them or taking them out for a walk.

So playing with them longer, walking with them longer, or even just sitting next to them while watching television might be more than enough to break their negative mood.

How do you cheer up your dog when they feel depressed? Is there anything that puts your dog in a good mood right away? Let us know in the comments below!

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When it comes to our beloved dogs, we often think of how happy-go-lucky they are. We tend to think of them at their best, tongues out while running and playing in the backyard and having a great time.

But sometimes things happen in life and we, as pet parents, are not the only ones who can be affected emotionally. Our dogs can also be affected, which can lead to anxiety and even depression.

So why do dogs get depressed? And how can you tell if your dog is suffering from depression? Here’s what you should know.

Why Do Dogs Get Depressed?

Dr. Rachel Barrack of New York City’s Animal Acupuncture says, “Dogs experience a full range of emotions, ranging from happiness to sadness and even depression. Some of the signs of depression in dogs are very similar to symptoms exhibited by depressed people.”

She also mentions, “Depression in dogs can usually be attributed to a major life change including moving to a new house, a new roommate (human or furry), loss of a companion (human or furry), major changes to their typical routine, and/or a traumatic event (such as injury), among other things.”

Life changes aren’t the only cause of depression in dogs, however. Dr. Barrack goes on to explain, “Depression can also be due to an underlying medical condition. Should you suspect your dog be depressed, consult your veterinarian to help determine the underlying cause and what changes can be made to get your pup back to being their usual happy self.”

So how do you know if your dog is unhappy? Here are five signs that might help you.

Note that all of these signs can also be indicators of other serious medical conditions. Regardless of the causes behind these unusual behaviors, it’s always best to see your vet if you spot something out of the ordinary.

Have you ever noticed signs of depression in your dog before? How can you tell when your dog is feeling unhappy? Let us know in the comments below!

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Cars, squirrels, cyclists, skateboarders, cats, and joggers — they’re all would-be targets, any one of whom could lure a chase-obsessive dog into a potentially dangerous situation.

The behavior can also trigger understandably hostile reactions from people who see it as aggression when a strange dog comes bounding after them.

Until you can keep your dog from chasing, keep them on leash in public. At home, make sure your yard is securely fenced with no opportunity for digging under or jumping over.

Here’s what you need to know about dog chasing behavior.

Causes Of Chasing Behavior

Almost all canines are hardwired to chase prey. Without that vital impulse, dogs in the wild would never have had a chance at survival.

Domestic dogs, of course, don’t need to hunt for food, but the instinct remains intact and manifests in some unlikely urges. What would a dog do with a ’97 Chevy if they caught one anyway?

Some breeds are naturally more prey driven than others — Greyhounds and certain types of terriers are notorious chasers — and you must keep these dogs under control with a leash or a fenced-in yard. Make sure that yard is secure, especially if your pup is a known escape artist.

But all of that doesn’t mean that impulse control can’t be learned and sharpened.

How To Treat The Problem

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Teaching a dog not to chase takes time and effort — getting help from a reputable trainer is strongly recommended.

There are, however, steps you can take on your own:

• As with any behavior issue, providing plenty of mental and physical exercise reduces the need for your dog to find their own outlet.
• Present alternative means of release. Agility classes are both a fun and effective way to harness your dog’s intense desire to chase. Play fetch with them or toss a Frisbee, and reward them only when they chase appropriate targets. In other words, train them to recognize that the only acceptable prey is the one you throw.
• Teach them the command “come.” This improves impulse control.
• Continually add to their repertoire of tricks. The ability to respond to numerous commands helps improve impulse control, and it provides needed mental stimulation.
• Establish a no-fail cue word. That is, create a cue that signals to your dog that their very favorite treat is coming their way. Be prepared to deliver should the occasion demand it. For example, if stinky cheese sends them to the moon, cue the word “cheese,” using it only when the most high-value reward is necessary (i.e., they’re about to bolt and have ignored your command to “come”). Of course, in order for the cue to retain its holding power, you must deliver the reward any time they successfully respond.

How To Prevent Chasing

Establishing a strong foundation of obedience training is critical. Training not only creates a respectful pet, it hones impulse control and reinforces their tendency to look to you for guidance.

Teach them “come” and “off” from the beginning, and make sure they’re well mannered both on and off leash. You should rely on a professional trainer if possible, especially if you’re not an experienced dog parent.

Also take care to not inadvertently encourage chasing. For example, if your dog runs off with your slippers, don’t chase them — participating in their game actually rewards the behavior.

The prey drive is an instinctual part of canine behavior; most dogs love the thrill of the chase. But because the behavior can lead them directly into harm’s way, it’s important to treat it, if not prevent it altogether.

Early, comprehensive training and plenty of exercise are the two most effective tactics.

Does your dog chase everything? How do you keep them from escaping or getting into trouble? Let us know in the comments below!

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Bringing a new dog home can be challenging, especially for first time dog parents. But whatever problems you’re facing, know that you’re not alone.

If you hop onto our DogTime Facebook page you’ll meet lots of other dog parents with tons of advice and support for you.

If that’s not enough, here are suggestions for coping with a few of the challenges most common to new dog adopters. And remember, you’re going to do great!

Dog Barks & Cries When Left Alone

What’s probably the real issue? Insecurity. Dogs are pack animals, and a new dog in a new place is going to feel alone, afraid, and sad sometimes.

Solution: Consider taking a few days off from work to spend with your new pup, or work from home if you can for the first week. Your pup will adjust to living in your home, but give them some time.

Try giving your pup smart toys that engage their mind when you’re away, and start by taking short trips outside. Just a few minutes and coming back with lots of love and treats.

Increase the time to ten minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, always returning with love and reassurance that you missed your pup as much as they missed you.

Some dogs have a bigger problem with separation anxiety and you may want to talk to your vet or consult with a trainer.

Dog Throws Up & Has Diarrhea

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What’s probably the real issue? Dogs can vomit or have diarrhea for many reasons, but it’s likely anxiety and/or a change in diet.

Solution: First you’ll want to rule out exposure to any toxins. Make sure you’re aware of the human foods that are toxic to dogs and that your home is dog or puppy proofed so that your pup can’t reach any cleaners, chemicals or plants that might be toxic to a dog.

Keep the first few days at home low-key but structured, following a reliable walk-eat-play routine.

Find out what what your dog is used to eating, try to feed your dog the same food, and gradually switch over to the dog food of your choice.

If the vomiting or diarrhea is severe or doesn’t go away quickly, see a vet.

Dog Whines & Cries In Their Crate All Night

What’s probably the real issue? Your dog is understandably scared and alone in a strange place. Face it — your pup is a bit freaked out.

Solution: First of all make your new pup feel at home by letting them sleep in your bedroom with you. If your dog sleeps in a crate, bring the crate next to your bed so you can lay side by side and your pup can hear you breathing and moving around.

Make sure your pup isn’t trying to tell you that they need a potty break, and make sure they have a comfortable bed or blanket to sleep on.

It’s also important to make sure that your new pup gets enough exercise every day so they’re tuckered out at the end of the day and ready for bed.

The crying and whining won’t last forever; it just takes a little time for your pup to adjust to their new home.

Dog Chews The Remote, The Couch Cushions, Your Shoes, & Everything Else

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What’s probably the real issue? You’ve adopted a chewing fiend who might be nervous or have new teeth coming in

Solution: Make sure your pup has plenty of dog toys and appropriate things to chew on.

Keep things like remote controls and cellphones up high where your new pup can’t reach them. You may need to make a special puppy play area in your home so your dog doesn’t have access to the whole house, or close bedroom doors to keep your pup from finding shoes and other things to chew on.

If the behavior is extreme, you’ll definitely want to work with a trainer. But I promise, you can stop your dog from chewing. You just need to give it time and work on it.

Dog Disappears When You Take Them Off-Leash

What’s probably the real issue? Your house isn’t “home” yet to your dog

Solution: First of all you should always keep your dog on a leash when you go outside. Off-leash dog parks are not the place for you and your new dog. You need to give your new pup time to adjust before you start going places like that.

Make sure that your yard is secure so your dog cannot escape, and don’t leave a new dog outside alone for hours on end. It’s just not safe.

Obviously you need to make sure your new dog is microchipped and fitted with the proper tags — it’s nearly impossible to have him memorize your phone number!

Never take the ID tags off of your dog. Tags are not just for when you go on a walk. Dogs can escape houses and yards so your dog should wear tags 24/7/365.

You Wonder If You Did The Right Thing Getting This Dog

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What’s probably the real issue? You’re adjusting to a new responsibility and lifestyle. It will all work out fine.

Solution: Don’t stress. It’s quite common to have some doubts in the beginning, especially if your pup howls when left alone or is frightened by common household sounds. Just hang in there.

Chances are, you’ll soon wonder how you ever survived your boring, dog-deprived former life. Everything takes time.

Talk to other people with pets, join online communities and follow Facebook pages that will help you adjust to your new life. You have a lot to learn but it’s so worth it!

What other problems do people have when they adopt a new dog? Do you have any advice for new pet parents? Let us know in the comments below!

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Everybody poops. That’s just a fact. But not everybody has a habit of giving digested food another round through the body.

Eating poop is actually not all that uncommon among dogs. It’s called coprophagia, and it’s generally a natural behavior with a few different causes.

So why is your dog eating poop? Here are some possible reasons.

Information Gathering

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Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, a dog cognition researcher and expert on how dogs use their sense of smell, suggests that eating feces can be a way for dogs to gain information about whatever animal left the droppings.

Dogs have an olfactory organ that humans lack called the vomeronasal organ. This allows them to detect the chemical makeup of whatever they’re smelling.

Eating poop may be a way of bringing information to the vomeronasal organ, which would help a dog detect the animal’s pheromones, diet, species, and other data through the feces.

It’s kind of like Google for dogs.

Keeping Things Clean

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When female dogs breed, they’re programmed by evolution to keep their den clean, which sometimes means eating poop.

In the wild, canines don’t want to attract predators to their puppies with scent cues, so keeping their living space free of feces is important. The same can happen if you have multiple dogs. The one who’s more submissive may eat the poop of the dominant dog.

Keeping things clean can also be a learned behavior. If you punish your dog for having an accident in the house and they see you cleaning their mess, they may start to learn that the poop is causing them to get punished. Eating the mess could just be a way of getting rid of the evidence to avoid punishment.

For the record, this punishment is not the proper way to train your dog because it can lead to nervous, anxious behavior like poop eating.

Puppy Stuff

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Eating feces is actually pretty common among puppies. It’s a natural behavior for them for a few reasons.

The first is that they’re still learning, so a lot of puppies will put things in their mouths as a means of exploration. They’re just trying to discover the world around them and figure out if the thing in front of them is food or not.

Another reason puppies eat poop is that it can be similar in texture to the food that their mama dog has chewed up for them when they’re too young to start chewing food on their own.

Most puppies will grow out of the behavior by the time they’re grown up, but it can be hard to retrain a dog who hasn’t kicked the habit by adulthood.

Poor Nutrition

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Some dogs have trouble digesting modern dog foods completely. This is because they lack sufficient enzymes to break down the carbohydrates and plant proteins found in these foods. Eating poop may be a means of replenishing some of the enzymes that will help with digestion.

A lack of Vitamin B or overfeeding may also lead to coprophagia. If a dog is being overfed and can’t absorb all the nutrients in their food, they may try to recycle their waste to get more of the nutrition from their digested food.

You may also notice, if you have a cat, that your dog loves your kitty’s droppings. Cat food is higher in protein than dog food, and cats are less efficient when it comes to digestion. Dogs eat cat poop because it’s a source of protein.

This can be especially dangerous if your dog swallows kitty litter, which is absorbent and expands in the digestive tract. If your dog eats it in large quantities, it can cause a blockage.

Medical Issues

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A dog’s poor nutrition may have less to do with diet and more to do with an infection or medical issue. Parasites or pancreatic problems can cause your dog to not absorb the appropriate amount of nutrients, leading to coprophagia.

If your dog is eating poop, you should definitely consult your veterinarian.

As for transferring diseases between dogs via fecal matter, that is a possibility. Dogs can get all sorts of diseases from coming into contact with another pup’s dung.

Generally most of these diseases, including worms, can be vaccinated against. That said, the more your dog sniffs or eats the feces of other dogs in the neighborhood, the greater the chance of spreading infections.

Attention-Seeking Behavior

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Eating poop is more common among neglected dogs who don’t get enough attention. They eat poop to elicit a negative reaction from their humans because even negative attention is some form of attention.

Boredom or loneliness can cause a dog to consume feces, and dogs need an appropriate level of stimulation to stay happy and healthy.

In extreme cases of neglect, a dog may eat poop simply because they’re starving. A lack of food may cause them to try to gain nutrients from their feces as a last resort. This is the worst case scenario and probably doesn’t apply to your dog, but it can happen.

If your dog is eating feces, you should consult your veterinarian. The behavior is harder to train out of an adult dog who still eats poop, but it is possible.

Dietary changes may also be in order if your pup isn’t getting the right nutrients. Make sure you’re training your dog properly, giving them appropriate levels of stimulation and attention, and tending to any medical issues they may have.

For more information about breaking your dog of this unwanted habit, check out this article.

Does your dog ever eat poop? How do you get them to stop? Let us know in the comments below!

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You’re absolutely wild about your dog, and you’re not afraid to show it. But all the treats, toys, fancy collars, and comfy beds can’t let your dog know just how special they are to you.

Sure, they appreciate all that stuff. But in order to convey love for your pup, you have to speak their language.

However, just because you don’t speak dog doesn’t meant you can’t convey your love in a way your pup will understand.

Here are a few ways you can express your true feelings to your dog that will leave no doubt in their mind about your love and devotion.

When you’re their protector, guardian, and friend, you can be sure that your dog will be feeling all the love.

How do you show your dogs that you love them? Do you think they know how you feel? Let us know in the comments below!

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While it’s always a wonderful treat to have fresh fruits and veggies available, it’s important to note that gardens and gardening can be veritable hazards for those who live with dogs.

Chemicals, sharp tools, and even plants, themselves, can can quickly cause an emergency for dogs. The last thing you want when you’re tending to your garden is to have to drop everything for a trip to the animal hospital.

Be sure to take precautions when your four-legged friend is out in the garden with you so that they don’t get hurt. Here are a few tips for gardening safely when you have a dog.

1. Keep Toxic Chemicals & Dangerous Plants Out Of Reach

While this seems like a no-brainer, especially if you also have kids, it’s important to remember that what isn’t dangerous for us may be dangerous for dogs.

Be certain that no flowers or fruits in your garden have poisonous leaves that could harm your dog should they take a curious lick.

Also, certain fruits and vegetables can harm dogs, especially when eaten in large quantities. Avocados, for example, have hard pits that can damage teeth, cause choking, or create 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 the area off or grow them in a place on your property that your dog can’t access.

And always keep chemicals out of reach at all times. Fertilizers, pesticides, weed killers, and more are toxic when directly consumed by dogs. Seal these properly and store them where your dog absolutely cannot get to them.

2. Keep Dogs Away From Sharp Tools

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This should also be a no-brainer, but accidents still happen. Any form of pruning shears, cutters, hoes, and shovels can potentially be dangerous.

Never leave these tools out when you’re not using them. This isn’t just good safety advice for your dog’s sake. These tools can harm anyone who enters your yard, humans included.

3. Never Leave Dogs Alone In The Yard

You may joke that your dog is your baby, but regardless, it’s important to make sure you treat them as such by never leaving them alone.

Not only could they dig up your plants, but they might even get into the aforementioned tools and chemicals you may be using on your plants. So do everyone a favor, and keep dogs in sight.

Even if you’re not gardening, you should always supervise your dog outside. Wild animals, dog thieves, and any number of dangers could enter your yard. Keeping an eye on your dog can help you respond to these dangers quickly, and that could end up saving your dog’s life.

4. Keep The Gate Closed

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This may not be applicable for everyone, but if you have a fence, it’s best to make sure the gates always stay closed. It can be easy to forget when you’re gardening and hauling items into your yard, but always double check.

Dogs are prone to chase things, or even just be curious and wander off no matter how well trained they are. And while a fence isn’t perfect for protecting your dog from thieves or wild animals like coyotes, it definitely helps reduce the risks.

Keep them in sight and keep them secure!

5. Reward Your Pup

There are just as many goodies as there are hazards in your garden. Make sure your dog shares in the bounty when it’s harvest time.

Things like seedless watermelons, strawberries and blueberries make for excellent treats. You can use these to reward your dog when they come inside. It may just help them learn to come when you call, and that 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? Does your dog ever get treats from your garden? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Gardening With Dogs: 5 Tips To Keep Your Pup Safe appeared first on Dog Family Helper.