Tips to keep your dog away from plants of your garden
A six-month-old dog is very inquisitive, much like a human baby would be however, and although EVERYTHING is interesting and must be explored, and there are quite a few dangerous plants in every yard.
Take the time to teach your dog what area of the garden they are allowed in, and which areas they are not allowed in.
Leash your dog and walk it around the yard. Make sure you have a SAFE AREA where your dog can run and play without restriction.
One of the best ways to keep your dog out of your plants is to install 'PLASTIC chicken wire' around the area you wish to keep him/her out of.
Don't use metal chicken wire since your pup could get hung up on the wire. After you have sectioned off areas with the plastic chicken fencing, walk your dog around and gently correct them if they approach an area you do not want them in.
Any 'spray' deterrent will only last a day or two. It's better to exercise your pup in the morning, and midday if possible, and then again in the evening.
And provide SAFE toys for him/her to play with. A tired pup is less likely to be destructive.
Most of the time lizards and frogs in the plants are what attract them to the plants, and since a plant will offer 'resistance' when they bite and pull, they are looking for interaction with SOMETHING. Provide enough exercise for your pup and you will reduce their destructiveness.
Of course you could install an 'invisible fence' around your plants, BUT you need to train your dog (let me repeat this) TRAIN your dog what areas are off limits and which ones are not. Invisible radio fences are not 'force fields' but rather provide a reminder of where a dog should not go.
Be sure to research ALL plants in your garden, and remove those that are potentially dangerous to your pup.
Although my pup (six years ago) didn't really bother my jasmine (much) but I found out it was dangerous, and I had it ALL removed since I was not able to 'fence off' all of the plants themselves.
Poisoning by plants is very common in young pups, and their natural curiosity is what is driving this behavior. Exercise, diversion to good toys, and protection from dangerous plants is my recommended course of action.
A safe area (fenced off) with SHADE, water and toys is ideal for young dogs, like a playpen would be for a young baby, but it should not be where the dog is kept for hours on end. And remember a big dog needs PLENTY of space to run and be in.
One thing I ask of all my clients whose dogs I have trained is to image that 'you' had to spend your day like you expect your dog to spend it's days.
Dogs don't have TV to watch, or books to read, they only have their owners, food and their environment to 'entertain themselves' Bored dogs are more destructive, and this only gets worse if left un-addressed.
Dogs that are crated or kenneled every day tend to have more aggression issues that those that are properly trained what is and isn't theirs to play with.
Sometime just installing a children's 'sand box' with some of the dogs toys buried in it will teach your dog that this is their space' and they learn to dig and play in their area. Plant some Rye grass or wheat grass for them to chew on in pots near this area. Making a 'dog safe' area is fun for owner and dog.
Since dogs are pack animals, a second DOG may actually help your dog too, since it would have someone else to play with, sleep with, chase in the yard, but nothing compares to your involvement with your pup. Ask a friend with an older more experienced dog to be your dog's buddy if you do not want the responsibility of another dog.
As the owner of FOUR dogs myself, I assure you they are happier with other dogs, and in many cases much better behaved. I still supervise all my dogs, even during play times, but I allow them to be dogs too, a dig, chew and explore safely!