Vet Judy

When the dog digging is out of control, it’s difficult to stay calm. After all, just because you own a dog, it doesn’t mean that you don’t want to enjoy your garden or have a yard that is free of holes. Unfortunately, some dogs seem to feel that all yards should have as many craters as the moon!

It’s important to arm yourself with effective techniques to stop dog digging before you feel as though you’ll lose your mind entirely. You might have reached the point where you feel you’ve simply tried everything and you’re at the end of your rope. However, there is certain to be a few techniques left that you’ve yet to try to become successful.

The best way to stop dog digging is to begin by understanding why it is happening in the first place. To obtain this information, watch your dog and observe what seems to be going on when the digging starts.

There are two major causes that make a pet begin dog digging: loneliness and boredom. These problems can both be cured with the same solutions. Give your dog lots of attention on a daily basis, and play with him or her, including games that you both enjoy together. There will be times when you can’t be there or that you’re busy, so be sure that your dog has toys with which to entertain him or herself.

Of course, if there is something interesting going on in the neighbor’s yard, it may also be causing the dog digging. Many things could be attracting your dog, such as children, food, or activities and smells on the other side of the fence. In that case, you might want to lay some bricks down along the ground in the offending areas to discourage the behavior.

If you’re discovering that there seem to be dog digging holes everywhere in the yard without a discernable pattern, your dog may have excess energy. Try adding another walk to your daily routine with your dog – or simply take a longer route on the walk you’re already enjoying. You may also add other activities that will burn energy including fetch, Frisbee, and other fun games.

You can also work to decrease your dog’s interest in some of the specific places by adding a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or red pepper to the favorite dog digging spots. You could also bang a pot every time the behavior begins. Sometimes being squirted with water can also be all the added deterrent your dog needs.
You should never let the small issue grow into a huge problem. Many times we are faced with situations when several methods to stop dog digging simply don’t work. Instead loosing hope for ever changing dog digging behavior issue, you better search for professional training that specializes in solving dog behavior problems.

I was often challenged with my dog’s behavior, the dog digging was no different. I had to seek professional help one more time. Previous great experience led me back to testing Secrets of Professional Dog Trainer. Once again I got the proof that there is no better dog training program out there.

I urge you check out my review of this amazing train a dog program, that has proven itself to work for any dog behavior issue (dog digging, stop dog barking, dog aggression), several times.

Before planning your next successful deer food plot, or as you evaluate your current plot, it will help to review the basic dining habits of deer.  In this blog, I’ll review some seasonal basics of nutrition.  The next blog will review the kinds of plants deer typically enjoy eating throughout the year.

            This will help you in the food plot planning process as you seek to identify what plants or nutrient needs might be lacking in your native habitat.

·         Four Stomachs, One Deer

            Just like cattle or sheep, whitetail deer are ruminants.  In common terms, this means that they have four stomachs—or think of it as four compartments that food goes for digestion.  In the main compartment, called the rumen, bacteria are present that help the deer digest cellulose—which is why deer can utilize woody plants and shrubs in cooler months.

            Rumination is why deer will rest at various times throughout the day, “chewing the cud.”  They essentially regurgitate their food after a given stomach compartment (including the bacteria that live there) does its job of digestion.

            This allows deer to utilize a variety of plants for food.  However, just because deer can eat many things doesn’t mean they will.  Where they eat is also based on the proximity of cover and how available similar foods are in their environment.  Nutritional needs of deer also vary by season. For complete seasonal planning information for different planting zones consider: Deer Food Plots Made Easy. Guaranteed or Your Money Back.

·         Knowing the dining season

            deer food choices aren’t about what holiday is around the corner.  Instead, food choices have to do with a combination of their seasonal food needs and how available their food sources are.  These seasonal needs vary for bucks and does.

            For bucks, antler development creates a large nutritional need.  Protein makes up almost half of antler tissue; another third is calcium and phosphorous.  Healthy bucks will access a high-protein diet in the springtime and very early summer to support antler growth.  Tender plants, especially those naturally high in protein like legumes like alfalfa and clover, help meet the buck’s protein requirements.

            Doe require maximum nutrition and protein while they’re pregnant and lactating.  The timing of the natural breeding season takes care of this, with lots of succulent growth in the early spring that supplies the needs for pregnant and nursing doe.

·         Incorporating Nutrition into Your food plot Design

            By now you’re probably thinking, “Sure, I already knew my deer nutrition basics anyway.”  But have you considered nutrition as you design your food plot strategy?  For example, if your ground is not abundant in grasses, legumes, and other early spring growth, some additional plantings that emphasize spring forage could help supply the natural nutritional needs of the deer.

            And deer—just like people—are much at home in a place where they’re able to eat well all year long.

This week is a week to practice Ahisma. The essence of Ahisma is the practice of non-judgement and non-harming. We have carried this into the subjects of judgement of oneself, judgement of others as individuals, and judgements of others as groups.

Today , consider the practice of Ahisma as it relates to the enviroment.  The practice of non violence, non harming towards the enviroment is essential to the preservation of our livelihood on earth. One way to consider the practice of Ahisma with reference to the enviroment is taking a break away from excessive consumption.  No matter how much advertising and marketing says you must partake, you have the free will to say no, if only for today.

Each and everyday we are taught, pressured, lured into the belief that we are what we do, what we have, and how successful we are. The level of consumption we have is equated with the level of success. The bigger the house, the fancier the car, the more gadgets and games we possess, the bigger the vacations, the more cell phones we can hook together in one plan…..are all indicators of our level of success. In a competitive world, we think we are in the lead if we have all these things. But really, are we?

Do you go through your day with a sense of accomplishment and peace because you have accumulated these many things? Or do you always have a sense of never enough, always chasing, always moving and yet never arriving? It is easy to see that joy and peace will never follow consumption, no matter how much we have been brainwashed to believe it is so.

The truth is, we are all vunerable. In the words of Byron Katie: Life is as it is. The only thing we can control is our attitude and actions. When you practice Ahisma, there are many obstacles.

So, for today, only for today: practice Ahisma or non-harming towards the enviroment. Take a break from buying something today, disposing of something that is still useful, or destroying something that no longer pleases you but is still functional. Consider a walk in nature and give thanks for the things the universe gives us for free everyday. We all get oxygen to breath today, the earth still has trees and water for us to drink and use and enjoy.

If we practice Ahisma towards others today, we can even enjoy what the universe offers us in terms of love and joy. Get out of your head and the ego’s need to get more and rest in the moment: looking for what has been graciously given for you to enjoy. No matter how rough it is for you, there is always something to be grateful for today. If you had a shower give thanks. If you had water to drink say thanks. If you had a home to live in says thanks. If you had some food today give thanks. It is said that if you have a dish full of change on your dresser night stand, you are more wealthy than something like 80% of the worlds’ population.

Today is a good day to practice Ahisma towards the enviroment. Have a great day.