Do You Have a Dog That Doesn’t Like to Play?

77 Comments
I recently read an interesting article by Jen from Puppy Leaks called A Game of Tug is the Best Training Reward I’ve Found where Jen talks about how she uses a tug toy as a training tool for her dog, Laika. Training often involves using treats for motivation but Laika loves tug-of-war so much that Jen discovered using a tug toy to play with Laika can be a powerful motivator and reward, even against Laika’s desire to chase cats. Jen’s article got me thinking about how important play is to most dogs and I can’t help but wonder what’s going on with dog owners that say they have a dog that doesn’t like to play.

I’ve always had very playful dogs. Haley is ready to play at a moment’s notice, even if I wake her from a sound sleep. But I’ve heard this statement from a few dog owners before and I’ve seen similar comments left on websites about dogs that are disinterested in playing. It’s understandable that older dogs or dogs that are ill may lose interest in playing, but the idea of a dog that doesn’t like toys or playing is foreign to me.

Puppy Playing with ToyPuppies are born to eat, drink, sleep, poop and play! Play is an important part of their young lives and it’s through play that they learn manners and how to get along with one another. So we know at least during this phase of a dog’s life that they like to play. When someone tells me their adult dog doesn’t like to play, I often wonder about the old nurture vs. nature debate. Is it in their dog’s nature to not enjoy playing or did the dog owner not play very much (or at all) with their dog? I know it’s somewhat common for rescue dogs to not know how to play which makes me think it’s more about nurture than nature.

Dog with FrisbeeThere are various ways to play with a dog and certainly different dog breeds prefer different play styles. Retrievers typically like to fetch, scent hounds love playing Find It or Hide and Seek games using their noses, terriers were mostly bred for chasing and rooting out vermin and like shake and kill games and squeaky toys. Herding dogs may prefer chasing games, agility or Frisbee catching. The breed or mix of breeds of your dog will give you a clue as to what type of play style they might enjoy the most.

The way we interact and play with our dogs also has a bearing on how much our dogs enjoy playing with us. Dogs seem to respond more to people with high-pitched, enthusiastic voices and a playful attitude rather than someone who is very laid-back, soft-spoken or uses a monotone voice. Dogs seem to sense when we’re having fun playing which in turn increases their exuberance. They are masters of reading our body language and they look for our play signals. While researching how dogs play, I came across this interesting article on play signals by Scientific American called It’s Not You It’s Me.

Dog ToysWhat about dogs that don’t like toys? Is it that they don’t like toys or they don’t know how to play with them? There’s such a huge variety of dog toys: Balls of all shapes and sizes, squeaky toys, hard and soft rubber toys, stuffed toys, tug toys, treat-dispensing toys, throwing toys, etc. There are dog toys in practically every shape, size and texture to appeal to all of your dog’s senses. Haley likes almost any kind of toy, except tennis balls because of the fuzzy texture on the outside of the ball. Every dog has their toy preferences, so it’s a good idea to experiment with a variety of toys to find out what appeals to your dog.

I think in most cases, a dog that doesn’t like to play is a dog that can learn how to play. Here are some of the favorite ways dogs like to play and some tips if you want to help your dog discover how much fun it is to play with you.

Favorite Ways Dogs Like to Play

  • Fetch (retrieving)
  • Tug-of-War
  • Chasing Games (chasing and being chased)
  • Shake and Kill
  • Hide and Seek or Find It Games
  • Stalking
  • Digging
  • Wrestling (play fighting)
  • Self Play (chewing on toys, puzzle toys)

10 Tips for Helping Your Dog Learn How to Play

1. Start off slow.
If your dog is timid or fearful, work at a slow pace so he’s not overwhelmed. Always keep the play sessions light and positive.
2. Use stuffed Kongs.
Food-stuffed toys are a great way to make a positive association with a chew toy. Put something tasty, such as a little peanut butter, on other toys to attract your dog’s interest.
3. Have a positive play attitude.
Be enthusiastic and excited to play with your dog but try not to be overwhelming. Use the right tone of voice to encourage interest in playing. Heck, why not even try to initiate play with your own play bow.
4. Show interest in a toy.
If you play with and act very interested in a toy, your dog may come to investigate. He may think he’s missing out on something good and decide to play with the toy.
5. Rotate your dog’s toys.
Buy a variety of toys but only give your dog a few at a time. Rotate them occasionally to ensure they stay interesting.
6. Experiment with different play styles.
Every dog has their preferred methods of having fun but try different ways of playing to see if you can engage your dog. Dogs get bored, so look for inventive ways of playing.
7. Get things moving.
Movement will usually trigger a dog’s chase drive and they love scrambling after something like a rope toy being dragged across the floor or a toy tied to the end of a flirt pole. Animate your dog’s toys by lightly teasing your dog to peak their interest.
8. Play fair.
Don’t play in a way that frustrates your dog or he’ll likely lose interest in playing with you. Light teasing with a toy to get his attention is good, but don’t play extended keep away or grab toys out of his mouth.
9. End the play session if your dog gets over-excited.
Games like tug-of-war or wrestling can cause some dogs to get pretty riled up. Growling is normal, but if you sense your dog is getting too worked up or he’s playing too aggressively, have him drop the toy and take a break from the action.
10. Control the game.
Don’t continue playing until your dog is exhausted or loses interest. Stop the action a little early while he’s still interested to make him excited about playing with you again next time.

Dog with DuckPuppies learn from playing with their mother and littermates and as adults they continue to learn by playing with you. It may seem like you’re just providing some casual entertainment for your pup while playing, but he’s learning manners, self-control and problem-solving skills. He’s also getting some mental stimulation and exercise while you build a strong bond together.

I’m curious what you think about a dog that doesn’t like to play. Is it nurture or nature? Also share your tips if you ever had to teach an adult dog how to play.

Update: If your dog brings a toy to you but doesn’t seem to want to play, maybe your dog wants to make a trade. Check out my post, Do Dogs Barter? – Trading Toys for Treats.

Sock Cop Meets Vicious Dog on Periscope

24 Comments

Sock Cop Meets Vicious DogThe title of this post probably means nothing to you unless you’ve been hanging out on Periscope lately. If you’re really confused now and are asking yourself “What the heck is Periscope?”, let me explain.

Periscope is a free mobile app that was recently purchased by Twitter. It’s been out for a few months now and it allows you to stream or watch live video from your iOS device (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch). Once you download the app, follow the setup instructions to connect it to your Twitter account, decide who you want to follow, then tap the button to start broadcasting live video from your iPhone. It’s that simple! Your followers will receive a notification that you’re “live” so they can watch your video stream and interact with you by typing messages or showing their support by tapping their screens which in turn displays floating hearts on your screen.

The Periscope app has some options for how you broadcast and share your video. You can make your video stream private by selecting only the followers you want to see your video before starting the broadcast. You can also choose to show or hide your location and select whether anyone or just your followers can interact with you by chatting or sending hearts. There’s also an option to automatically post your broadcast to Twitter.

It’s amazing to watch live video feeds from all over the world and to share an event or experience in real time with your family, friends or all of your followers.

It’s entertaining to check Periscope occasionally just to see what other people are broadcasting and that’s how I stumbled upon Sock Cop a few weeks ago. I don’t want to ruin your experience of hanging out with Sock Cop on Periscope for the first time, so head to the App Store, download Periscope and follow @jasonburglar to find out what he’s all about.

This past weekend I decided to try my first Periscope broadcast and in the spirit of Sock Cop and Haley’s love of chewing on socks, here’s my very rough attempt at broadcasting live on Periscope.

If this made absolutely no sense to you, I’m sure you’re not alone. No, I haven’t gone off the deep end just yet, although my son and daughter-in-law called me after the broadcast asking if I was alright, haha! Thank you Brandon for giving me a “pity heart” during the broadcast! I realized after my first broadcast that I didn’t save the upload for replay on Periscope when I was finished, so the video above is missing the questions, comments and hearts, but that might be a good thing since this was my first attempt. I’m kidding, I’ve found that most people on Periscope are very kind with their comments. Here’s a short retake I did later that night to capture all the details of a broadcast session.

Yeah, those were pretty rough, but now that my first Periscope experiment and broadcasts are over, I’ll be a lot less nervous next time. I’m anxious to use the app more this summer to stream live from some special events and hiking adventures. I also noticed some of my favorite dog bloggers, DOGthusiast, Fidose of Reality, Sugar the Golden Retriever and Lola the Pitty are on Periscope, so I’m hoping to see some of their live broadcasts soon.

If you haven’t tried the Periscope app yet, download it today from the App Store and follow @chasingdogtales on Twitter and then on Periscope to see my future broadcasts (which should prove to be much more interesting.) Don’t forget to also follow @jasonburglar, aka Sock Cop. Show him some love on Periscope and he’ll eat your hearts, answer your questions and make you laugh! The Periscope development team is working on the Android version of the app now, so hang in there Android users and look for it soon.

Have you tried Periscope yet?

10 Tips for Exercising Your Dog in the Summer

38 Comments

10 Tips for Exercising Your Dog in the SummerExercising your dog is important all year long. Last fall I wrote 12 Easy Ways to Exercise Your Dog in the Winter, so with the temperatures starting to warm up and summer being right around the corner, I wanted to share some safety tips for exercising your dog in the summer. High heat and humidity levels can pose a risk to your dog’s health, so whether you’re hanging out around the house this summer or preparing for a vacation at the beach, keep these tips in mind to keep your dog cool and comfortable.

10 Tips for Exercising Your Dog in the Summer

1. Don’t leave your dog in a parked car.
If you drive somewhere to exercise your dog, please don’t risk your dog’s life by leaving her in a parked car when it’s warm outside. Every summer we read heartbreaking stories about dogs that die from heatstroke because they were left alone inside of vehicles. I can’t imagine there are still people out there that haven’t heard about the risk of doing this or maybe they ignore the warnings thinking that they’ll only be gone for a few minutes and their windows are cracked open. On a warm day, it only takes a few minutes for the temperature inside a closed vehicle to reach a dangerous level for a pet and it’s worth noting that it’s illegal to do this in many states.
2. Keep a close eye on your dog.
The best way to protect your dog when the weather gets hot is to be observant of her behavior. If you notice signs like excessive panting or your dog seems hot, tired or draggy, she may be starting to get uncomfortable from the heat. By watching her behavior carefully, you can prevent dehydration or heatstroke before it happens. Energetic, fun-loving dogs can become overheated and dehydrated while playing, so give them frequent breaks from the action and lots of water to drink.
3. Keep high-risk dogs indoors.
Bulldog Staying CoolCertain dogs are at increased risk for heat related illnesses and should mostly be kept indoors when it’s hot and humid. High temperatures can be extremely hard on older dogs, very young dogs, overweight dogs and dogs with short muzzles (bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, etc.) Dogs with heart or respiratory diseases should also be kept inside where it’s cooler. Most dogs appreciate being indoors if the weather is extremely hot, especially dogs with thick double coats.
4. Know the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke.
In hot weather, dogs can easily become dehydrated if they don’t drink plenty of cool, fresh water. Signs of dehydration include lack of skin elasticity, sunken eyes, dry or sticky gums, lethargy, changes in urination and slow capillary refill time after pressing on their gums. One way to check for dehydration is to pull up your dog’s skin on the scruff of their neck and watch how quickly the skin returns to its normal position when you let go. If the skin doesn’t return to its normal position almost immediately or after just a second or two, your dog could be dehydrated. Prevent dehydration by making sure your dog always has plenty of fresh water available to drink. Heatstroke occurs when a dog’s temperature rises to a level where they can no longer cool themselves normally. Symptoms include heavy panting, drooling (early on), an anxious expression, staring or glazed eyes, failure to respond to commands, fever, rapid heartbeat, lethargy, bloodshot eyes, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, lack of coordination, vomiting, deep red or purple tongue or gums, seizures and unconsciousness. Dehydration and heatstroke are serious medical conditions that need immediate attention and treatment. See the section below to learn what you should do if you think your dog may have heatstroke.
5. Limit exercise duration and intensity.
Dog in Kiddie PoolAs temperatures and humidity levels climb, plan to adjust your dog’s exercise routine accordingly. Overweight dogs and dogs with darker colored coats tend to get overheated quicker when exercising in the sun and heat, so walk or exercise in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler or take shorter walks in areas that are heavily shaded. Although I’ve never tried one on Haley, some dogs may enjoy wearing a cooling vest while exercising. If you’re visiting an area that’s much warmer than what your dog is accustomed to, allow her to adjust gradually to the warmer climate. Water-related activities are perfect for keeping dogs cool on sweltering summer days. Head for the swimming pool or lake, fill a kiddie pool with water in the backyard or turn on a sprinkler for your dog to run through. If you discover your dog digging in the yard and resting on exposed dirt, consider building a digging station or buy a cooling pad for her to relax on.
6. Always provide cool, fresh water.
Your dog should always have access to water. Don’t just check to make sure her bowl is filled, but change the water often to ensure it’s fresh and cool. If you’re hiking or exercising your dog away from home, carry a water bottle with you and stop often to allow her to drink. If your dog doesn’t like drinking directly from the bottle, take along a small collapsible bowl or a hinged bowl that’s made to screw on to the end of a water bottle. In a pinch, you can even cup your hand under the water bottle to form a bowl that your dog can drink from.
7. Maintain a cool environment for your dog.
While in the yard, make sure your dog has a well-ventilated shady area to rest and cool off and keep the temperature comfortable for your dog inside the house when you’re away from home. Fans come in handy when a little extra air circulation is needed. Never keep a dog outside when it’s extremely hot and humid. If the conditions are unbearable for you to sit outside, it’s probably not safe or pleasant for your dog either.
8. Protect those paw pads.
Hot pavement or beach sand can cause severe burns to a dog’s paw pads. Sometimes us shoe-wearing humans forget just how hot some walking surfaces get in the summertime. To keep those paw pads healthy, walk your dog in grassy areas, have her wear summer booties or apply a protective wax like Musher’s Secret to her paw pads before heading out for your walk.
9. Protect your dog’s skin.
Short-coated and white colored dogs have less protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Protect your dog from skin cancer by using a pet safe sunscreen, particularly on their nose, ears and any areas of pink skin. The ongoing debate about shaving dogs with long hair or heavy coats continues, but most people agree, it’s much safer to do daily grooming and a light trimming of the coat rather than shaving a dog which can leave their skin unprotected from the sun.
10. Avoid using a muzzle.
Dogs have very few sweat glands, most of which are found on their paw pads. Their primary method of cooling off is through panting. Any restrictive muzzle or head gear that prevents a dog from panting normally in order to cool down can be dangerous to use in hot weather. A good alternative would be a greyhound-type muzzle if it’s appropriate for your dog.

I hope you never have to treat a dog for heatstroke, but it’s good to know what to do in case you’re ever facing this emergency.

Treating Heatstroke in Dogs

Heatstroke (hyperthermia) is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. If a dog is suffering from heatstroke, you must work quickly to lower the body temperature of the dog and transport it to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Move the dog to a shady or cooler location if possible and apply cool water to the dog’s body by using a hose or a towel soaked in cool water. Focus first on the neck, belly, head and paw pads and refresh the towel with the cool water every few minutes. Offer some cool water to drink and take the dog’s temperature, if possible.

A dog’s normal body temperature can be between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees (Fahrenheit). 103 degrees and above is considered a fever with possible permanent tissue and organ damage occurring around 106 degrees.

The goal for treating a dog with heatstroke is to reduce the dog’s temperature to 103 degrees in the first 10-15 minutes, then stop the cooling process to allow the dog’s temperature to regulate back to a normal level which will prevent over cooling and having the temperature dip too low. Even if your dog seems to have recovered from an episode of heatstroke, it’s still important to have her evaluated by a vet to make sure there are no complications from the event.

Dock Diving Dog

Let’s keep our pups safe this summer and if you’re planning a beach vacation, check out 15 Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach!

Share your ideas, favorite products or tips on exercising your dog in the summer.

Searching for the Best Dog Ball – One World Futbol Review

37 Comments

Searching for the Best Dog Ball - One World Futbol ReviewNote: This is NOT a paid or compensated review, but a review of a product that I purchased for my own use. I enjoy sharing information about products you may like or find useful and you’ll always receive my honest and unbiased opinion.

Dog and Beach BallWhat dog doesn’t like a ball to chase, right? There are more dog balls and toys on the market today than ever, so finding the best dog ball for your pup should be a pretty easy endeavor, unless you’re Haley of course. A lot of dogs like Haley enjoy bouncing balls off their noses, so lightweight balls like beach balls are perfect for this type of play. There’s just one problem though, they last about 30 seconds before those canine teeth puncture through the plastic and your dog parades around the room with their fresh kill. I guess it’s like popping bubble wrap to us humans.

Dog with Exercise BallHaley’s tested a lot of inflatable balls, from beach balls to children’s inflatable toy balls to exercise balls but the only ball with some bounce that can withstand Haley’s fierce fangs has been a basketball. It’s been Haley’s ball of choice so far. Basketballs are pretty heavy though and tough on her nose, so I’m always keeping an eye out for other options. Which brings us to today’s post! A review of the One World Futbol by One World Play Project.

Let me tell you a little bit about the One World Futbol. It’s a soccer ball (as we call it here in the US), but it can be used for many types of games. But wait, this is not your ordinary soccer ball because it never goes flat and never needs a pump, even when punctured. Dog with One World FutbolThe self-inflating bladder built into the ball is designed for durability and practically indestructible play. The reason behind the design is something pretty special too. This ball was not designed for dogs, but designed for empowering youth and strengthening communities worldwide through play. The Buy One Give One program works like this, when you buy a One World Futbol, the project donates a second ball to an organization working with disadvantaged youth in various communities around the world, especially in areas affected by war, disasters, disease and poverty. The program’s founding sponsor is Chevrolet and through the Buy One Give One program, over one million balls have been donated and distributed throughout the world.

I discovered this project while researching new balls for Haley and it seemed like a wonderful program, so I decided to give it a try. Here’s my review!

The One World Futbol Review

The ball arrived soon after I ordered it and Haley, being the master box inspector, was excited to discover her new ball inside. She seemed to like it right away and immediately tested the puncture resistant quality. Even though she left plenty of fang marks on the ball, it passed the puncture test with flying colors. Before taking it outside, I added a bit of air to the ball by pushing in the circle-shaped valve a few times. That’s a pretty cool feature!One World Futbol

Once outside, Haley gave it the bounce and chasability test (that should be a real word for dog ball testing, btw). Haley likes to bounce the basketball off her nose and she tries to keep it in the air as long as she can (like in her March Madness Video) and she was able to play the same way with the Futbol. It had plenty of bounce and was lighter in weight than her basketball, which means it’s much easier on her nose. Here’s a look at the Futbol in action!


The Bottom Line

Dog and One World FutbolI was really impressed with the One World Futbol because it’s so durable and it has the built-in pump. Haley loves it almost as much as her basketball. The only negative point is she doesn’t chase it as much because it has a softer exterior and she tends to pick it up and carry it in her mouth, rather than push and chase it with her nose. The ball claims to be nearly indestructible and after six months of play, we haven’t had any issues with it and we haven’t had to add any additional air to the ball. Even though it’s covered with fang marks now, it’s held up well to all the tooth abuse. Haley gives it “two paws up” and I would highly recommend it for dogs, kids or adults.

Play is important for both dogs and people and it feels good to know that in many places around the world, kids are benefiting from this project and having fun playing with the donated balls. If you would like to buy a Futbol, visit the One World Play Project website. The balls cost $39.50 for the blue or gold color and $44.50 for the green, orange or pink colors. The price includes both balls, the one that is shipped to you and the donated ball and they come in sizes 4 (youth) or 5 (adult). If you’re not interested in buying a Futbol for yourself or your dog, you can still donate a ball for the cost of $25.00 each.

Haley's Choice for the Best Dog BallOur search for the best dog ball doesn’t end here, but this was a great investment for Haley and a great investment in kids around the world. Have you found the perfect ball for your dog? Tell us what it is and what your dog loves about it!

Max’s Guide to a Dog-Friendly Yard

40 Comments

Max's Guide to a Dog-Friendly YardMeet Max! He was one of our family dogs when I was growing up. Max was a master of destruction both inside the house and outside in the backyard. He was an expert on landscaping, or maybe I should say re-landscaping from the way he liked to tear out rose bushes from the roots and destroy them, thorns and all! Max had his own ideas on what a dog-friendly yard should look like and while he’s going to share his thoughts with you below, I’ll be throwing in my two cents too!

Max
Max on Fencing: Remove any barriers that could prevent me from running wild through the neighborhood, day or night!
 
 
My Advice: Make sure your yard has proper fencing to prevent your pup from escaping. A fence should be high enough to keep those athletic high jumpers from making it across and secure at the bottom for dogs that like to dig. Buried chicken wire or rocks placed along the bottom of the fence line will help deter the tunneling escape artists. Since us humans have a habit of forgetting to close or properly latch gates, installing a self-closing gate will save you a lot of headaches. Check your fence occasionally for holes or needed repairs.
Chasing Dog Tales
Max
Max on Plants: I have no preference here, I love them all! Give me a variety of flowers, plants and shrubs that I can pee on, chew on and tear up by the roots!
 
 
My Advice: There are a LOT of plants, flowers and trees that are toxic to dogs. In fact, there are so many, I didn’t have the space to mention all of them here. Instead, I’ll send you over to the ASPCA’s website where they keep a huge list of plants that are toxic and non-toxic to dogs and cats or check out this list by ProFlowers. The ingestion of toxic plants can cause symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal issues (vomiting and diarrhea) to severe symptoms such as lethargy or even death. Take a few minutes to survey your yard for toxic plants and do some research before buying any new plants or trees to make sure they’re safe. Wire cages can be placed around existing plants to keep your dog away and help prevent chewing of the plants.
Chasing Dog Tales
Max's Guide to a Dog-Friendly Yard

Me and Max

Max
Max on Mulch: Cocoa Bean Mulch sure smells good to me!
 
 
 
My Advice: The one mulch I would avoid having in my yard is cocoa bean mulch. Although there’s some debate about how toxic this mulch is, why take any chances with your dog. Cocoa mulch contains theobromine which is the ingredient found in chocolate (especially dark chocolate) that is harmful to dogs. Max is right, it smells great which means some dogs may be inclined to eat it. The size of the dog, the amount eaten and the amount of theobromine contained in the mulch are all variables which make it hard to predict what kind of reaction might occur if the mulch is ingested, but symptoms of poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, muscle spasms, seizures and possibly death. Again, with so many choices available, why take a chance on cocoa bean mulch. Sorry, Max!
Chasing Dog Tales
Max
Max on Pests: There’s not much I can do about them, except scratch and then scratch some more. Oh, and bring them into the house with me!
 
 
My Advice: Even dogs like Max, that can quickly destroy a newly planted rose bush, deserve to be pest and parasite free. Start with natural methods of preventing pests in the yard like keeping the lawn mowed and vegetation trimmed. Consider planting some lavender, rosemary or mint to naturally deter fleas. Get rid of any sources of standing water to keep the mosquito population under control. Clean up clutter, wood piles and leaf piles which can attract snakes and spiders. Secure garbage cans to avoid attracting rodents or other wildlife to your yard that may carry diseases like Leptospirosis. When selecting lawn pesticides, consider natural options such as nematodes or diatomaceous earth before toxic chemicals. If you use chemical pesticides, be sure to read the directions carefully and keep your dog off the lawn until it’s safe to return. See your vet for recommended oral or topical parasite control methods for your dog.
Chasing Dog Tales

Max's Guide to a Dog-Friendly Yard

Max
Max on Lush Lawns: Heck, I couldn’t care less how green the grass is, I’m too busy wearing a path around the perimeter of the yard and digging holes!
 
 
My Advice: Yeah, a perfectly manicured lawn and a dog do not go hand in hand, but that doesn’t mean your yard has to look like a neglected, dusty lot. Begin designing your dog-friendly landscape plan by thinking about your dog’s needs. First, avoid chemical fertilizers if possible. I know, that’s hard to do sometimes, but always look at organic or natural options first and keep your dog away from recently applied chemical fertilizers. Instead of continuously patching and reseeding that path your dog has worn in the yard, consider turning it into a paved walking path by installing some attractive paving blocks or stones. Is your dog digging holes in the yard? Create a digging station just for that purpose and teach him to only dig in that one spot by burying some toys or treats there. Burned urine spots on the grass are another issue, especially if you have a female dog. If the spots really bother you, think about making a potty station and use treats to train her to go in that one spot or plant tall fescue grass which is more tolerant of urine burns. Small decorative fences or border plantings of urine resistant plants (violas, columbine, lilac and ornamental grasses) are a good way to prevent urine damage from male dogs. Spraying plants with cayenne pepper spray is also an effective way of keeping dogs away from plants.
Chasing Dog Tales
Max
Max on Comfort: After I’m done wreaking havoc in the yard, I could sure use some fresh, cool water and a nice place to rest before doing it all over again.
 
 
My Advice: Absolutely, Max! All pups need shade and lots of fresh water while spending time in the yard. Dehydration and heatstroke are serious risks for dogs when it’s warm outside. Make sure there’s at least one shady area in your yard where your dog can relax and cool off and always have plenty of fresh, clean water available for him to drink. Auto-refilling water fountains make it easy to keep the fresh water flowing and installing a doggie door gives your dog the option of coming inside if he’s had enough of the great outdoors.
Chasing Dog Tales

Max's Guide to a Dog-Friendly Yard

Max
Max on Poop: Not a big deal, it seems to bother my owners more than me, especially when I track it in the house and onto the carpet.
 
 
My Advice: Some dogs are careless about where they step and others have been known to even eat poop on occasion, but we’ll save that discussion for another day. Yep, you’ll want to scoop the poop every day to avoid these unpleasantries.
Chasing Dog Tales
Max
Max on Recreational Activities: I only have one and I’m darn good at it! Destruction of all things in the yard.
 
 
My Advice: You don’t want your pup to follow Max’s advice on this one, so give him something to do while in the yard. What dogs love most is quality time with their best friends, that’s you! Play fetch, chase or their favorite game of choice. Provide some toys or safe bones for your dog or maybe build a small agility course. If you’re lucky enough to have a swimming pool, teach your dog to swim. Be sure there are steps or an easy way for him to get out of the pool. Completely block the pool from dogs that can’t swim. Destructive behavior can often be eliminated by burning off excess energy through exercise but time in the yard shouldn’t be your pup’s only form of exercise.
Chasing Dog Tales

I loved Max, despite his destructive nature. Some of my favorite memories of him include being dragged on my belly across the yard when trying to take him for a walk or when I accidentally spilled my plate of spaghetti on his back. But hey, he got a huge helping of one of his favorite meals out of that fiasco! There are plenty of good Max stories, but my favorite is what he did one night when he was left home alone. He selectively picked several books from a stack that were borrowed from our local library and perused them in his own special way. That’s right, he chewed only the books from the stack that were about dog training! Those books are probably long gone, but I’m sure a few people read them and chuckled after Max got his paws on them. There were no dog-eared pages, just a lot of teeth marks on the covers. I wish I had more pictures of Max to share with you, but here’s a short video clip of him when he was behaving like a gentleman.

Having a dog doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice lawn and yard. It just takes a little planning and a little training to create the perfect dog-friendly yard. How did you make your yard safer or more dog-friendly? Share your tips, hacks or problem solving strategies with us.