Want to keep dogs out of your garden? I’ve been reading a really good book on dogs and yards and gardens, Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs by Cheryl Smith.

The author is an experienced dog trainer who has written dog training books. She is also a Master Gardener.

In the spring, some dogs are digging up fresh plantings to the dismay of their owners, while other dogs in similar situations are happily playing elsewhere in the yard.

What’s the difference? Training. Well, maybe temperament too but training can make a huge difference. We often think of “dog training” as just being come, sit, stay, and the like. But you can train your dog to stay out of garden areas if you realize some principles of how dogs think about their space. You can also, with some patience, train dogs to use the part of your yard that you wish as their bathroom area.

This book has great ideas on how to train these behaviors, how to design a garden that respects dogs’ natural habits, and much more. Yes, you can keep dogs out of your garden! Click the image to find out more: