I hope you can give me some pointers! I have a long thin garden with
a patio, but at the moment the grass area is in a right state. It's
bumpy, bare in patches, and has no definition. The dog also enjoys
using it as his personal toilet.

Trouble is I've got twin toddlers, and with the nice weather coming I
will be letting them into the garden alot more. So what is the best
thing to do with the garden? Grass is not a priority, as we back
straight onto a park. What I was thinking was large flower borders
and bark for the kids to have their slide or whatever on. My question
is, do dogs still do their business on bark? Is there anyway I can
attract the dog to a different area? I would turf the lawn but with
it being so bumpy it's going to be difficult, isn't it?

I would also like to have a small veg patch at the top of the garden.
Do dogs poo on such things?!

Any help and pointers appreciated.

Christine

In article , Christine
writes
I hope you can give me some pointers! I have a long thin garden with
a patio, but at the moment the grass area is in a right state. It's
bumpy, bare in patches, and has no definition. The dog also enjoys
using it as his personal toilet.

Trouble is I've got twin toddlers, and with the nice weather coming I
will be letting them into the garden alot more. So what is the best
thing to do with the garden? Grass is not a priority, as we back
straight onto a park. What I was thinking was large flower borders
and bark for the kids to have their slide or whatever on. My question
is, do dogs still do their business on bark? Is there anyway I can
attract the dog to a different area? I would turf the lawn but with
it being so bumpy it's going to be difficult, isn't it?

I would also like to have a small veg patch at the top of the garden.
Do dogs poo on such things?!

Any help and pointers appreciated.

Christine

Christine it really depends on you ...... and your dog:-)

How old is your dog and has any attempt been made to 'encourage' the dog
to go in any one area? (I use area as opposed to spot because the area
has to be defined as the dogs area).

Guide Dogs, right from the start are encourage to go in their own
specific area. This is part of the Puppy Walker's job and as we Puppy
Walked when we were in Leicester, I know it can be done.

BUT, if your dog has been set in its way that 'I can go anywhere' you
will have to re train. And yes you can teach an old dog new tricks if
you have a way with dogs :-))

With regards to the children, we had a huge garden when they were
growing up and lots of countryside on the door step as well.

Veg? Very easy to fence off an area and train your children and the dog
not to go in there. A cheap post and wire netting will do.

We have had dogs and children and yes they do mix.

Rough bumpy grass. Depends how bumpy, but if it is not dangerous, let
the kids romp on it :-))

When we moved into our present house, the garden had been for the
children, all 6 of them, plus the dogs (2 I think) and friends. The
garden was a dreadful site, but suitable for them. Bit prettier now just
a few years later. 16 actually.

Hope that helps.

Mike

By the way. No ponds please. I have fished one toddler out thanks :-((
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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By the way. No ponds please. I have fished one toddler out thanks :-((

we have a pond and a toddler and it is not a problem. Our pond is a 6 foot
diameter circle surrounded by slabs. We had a cover made my a local metal
worker (reasonably priced)which is strong enough to take my weight. It has a
padlocked trap door to give access and goes under the slabs. Once a year we
lift slabs and cover to clear out pond. Toddler, frogs, toads, birds,
dragonflies and fish all love it. Toddler currently "fishing" with stick and
having great time.
Hayley

"Christine" wrote in message
om...
I hope you can give me some pointers! I have a long thin garden with
a patio, but at the moment the grass area is in a right state. It's
bumpy, bare in patches, and has no definition. The dog also enjoys
using it as his personal toilet.

Trouble is I've got twin toddlers, and with the nice weather coming I
will be letting them into the garden alot more. So what is the best
thing to do with the garden? Grass is not a priority, as we back
straight onto a park. What I was thinking was large flower borders
and bark for the kids to have their slide or whatever on. My question
is, do dogs still do their business on bark? Is there anyway I can
attract the dog to a different area? I would turf the lawn but with
it being so bumpy it's going to be difficult, isn't it?

I would also like to have a small veg patch at the top of the garden.
Do dogs poo on such things?!

Any help and pointers appreciated.

Christine

Make sure your dog is wormed regularly, so its poo will be less of a health
hazard. As others suggest, try to train your dog to use a small area, and
train the kids to avoid that area. Avoid plants with poisonous seeds, etc.
until the children are old enough to appreciate the dangers. (Laburnum,
foxglove, for example)

Bevan

In article , hayley
writes
By the way. No ponds please. I have fished one toddler out thanks :-((

we have a pond and a toddler and it is not a problem. Our pond is a 6 foot
diameter circle surrounded by slabs. We had a cover made my a local metal
worker (reasonably priced)which is strong enough to take my weight. It has a
padlocked trap door to give access and goes under the slabs. Once a year we
lift slabs and cover to clear out pond. Toddler, frogs, toads, birds,
dragonflies and fish all love it. Toddler currently "fishing" with stick and
having great time.
Hayley


You are to be commended Hayley and I wish to God that everyone thought
the same way as you.

The pond the Mother fished a youngster out of was no more than a hollow
in a next door neighbours garden which had filled with water. Face down
and out to the world. Mother in panic mode was trying to give Artificial
Respiration the wrong way. I grabbed little 'un (3 years old) and did
the right thing and she came round. (Living by the Sea Side as a
youngster I had been taught)

Maundy Thursday afternoon 1963. 40 years ago this year :-))
I was a Civil Servant at that time and we had Maundy Thursday afternoon
off :-))

But I haven't forgotten :-((

Mike
Who has a habit of remembering the truth :-)
(It's so much easier than trying to remember lies you have told)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forthcoming reunions. Royal Navy Social Weekend Sussex May 2nd - 5th.
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Chatham May 30th - June 2nd
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Castle Class Corvettes Assn. Isle of Wight. Oct 3rd - 6th. Plus many more

I hope you can give me some pointers! I have a long thin garden with
a patio, but at the moment the grass area is in a right state. It's
bumpy, bare in patches, and has no definition. The dog also enjoys
using it as his personal toilet.

Trouble is I've got twin toddlers, and with the nice weather coming I
will be letting them into the garden alot more. So what is the best
thing to do with the garden? Grass is not a priority, as we back
straight onto a park. What I was thinking was large flower borders
and bark for the kids to have their slide or whatever on. My question
is, do dogs still do their business on bark? Is there anyway I can
attract the dog to a different area? I would turf the lawn but with
it being so bumpy it's going to be difficult, isn't it?

I would also like to have a small veg patch at the top of the garden.
Do dogs poo on such things?!

Any help and pointers appreciated.

Christine

We have three dogs and shortly after acquiring the property the "lawn" became
worse than it was before. In the end it looked such an eye sore I literally dug it
up, composted the sods upside down in a stack and replaced the area with gravel.
It works fine as a dog toilet since it is easy to keep clean. It also always looks
neat and tidy and is actually a good place to put garden furniture and relax in
the sunshine. I put up a small chain link fence to demark an area for the veg plot
to keep the dogs out and am growing a yew hedge through this. The dogs cock their
leg up everything they can and I didn't want my veg to be included in that! We
have a small flower border around the gravel with a small border wire frame type
fence, but that is only around 9" high and the dogs just jump over that and damage
the flowers. I made a raised flower bed about 2 feet high and that works well.
Also large tubs and containers work well since the dogs cannot pee that high!
--
Drakanthus.


(Spam filter: Include the word VB anywhere in the subject line or emails
will never reach me.)

Mike wrote in message ...
In article , Christine
writes
I hope you can give me some pointers! I have a long thin garden with
a patio, but at the moment the grass area is in a right state. It's
bumpy, bare in patches, and has no definition. The dog also enjoys
using it as his personal toilet.

Trouble is I've got twin toddlers, and with the nice weather coming I
will be letting them into the garden alot more. So what is the best
thing to do with the garden? Grass is not a priority, as we back
straight onto a park. What I was thinking was large flower borders
and bark for the kids to have their slide or whatever on. My question
is, do dogs still do their business on bark? Is there anyway I can
attract the dog to a different area? I would turf the lawn but with
it being so bumpy it's going to be difficult, isn't it?

I would also like to have a small veg patch at the top of the garden.
Do dogs poo on such things?!

Any help and pointers appreciated.

Christine

Christine it really depends on you ...... and your dog:-)

How old is your dog and has any attempt been made to 'encourage' the dog
to go in any one area? (I use area as opposed to spot because the area
has to be defined as the dogs area).

Guide Dogs, right from the start are encourage to go in their own
specific area. This is part of the Puppy Walker's job and as we Puppy
Walked when we were in Leicester, I know it can be done.

BUT, if your dog has been set in its way that 'I can go anywhere' you
will have to re train. And yes you can teach an old dog new tricks if
you have a way with dogs :-))

With regards to the children, we had a huge garden when they were
growing up and lots of countryside on the door step as well.

Veg? Very easy to fence off an area and train your children and the dog
not to go in there. A cheap post and wire netting will do.

We have had dogs and children and yes they do mix.

Rough bumpy grass. Depends how bumpy, but if it is not dangerous, let
the kids romp on it :-))

When we moved into our present house, the garden had been for the
children, all 6 of them, plus the dogs (2 I think) and friends. The
garden was a dreadful site, but suitable for them. Bit prettier now just
a few years later. 16 actually.

Hope that helps.

Mike

By the way. No ponds please. I have fished one toddler out thanks :-((
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forthcoming reunions. Royal Navy Social Weekend Sussex May 2nd - 5th.
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Chatham May 30th - June 2nd
British Pacific Fleet Hayling Island Sept 5th - 8th
Castle Class Corvettes Assn. Isle of Wight. Oct 3rd - 6th. Plus many more

Thanks for that Mike, you sound like my kind of gardener! I shall
definately get to grips with my dog, and sort out a veg patch. It
sounds like thats all I need do for the time being. What you said
made good sense, and will save me alot of time and effort.

By the way, I admire you finding time to garden in between 6 children!

Cheers

Christine

In article , Christine
writes


Thanks for that Mike, you sound like my kind of gardener!

It's my wife Joan who is the Earth and Plants gardener. I am the
Hardware, Greenhouse building and path laying gardener. Took delivery
today of the first of 40 2 x 2 paving slabs for a patio. 8 Laid so far.

I shall
definately get to grips with my dog, and sort out a veg patch.

If your dog trust you and you are firm but kind with it, you will win.
Don't forget the praise and reward. Guide Dogs are trained to go to the
loo 'when told' and the key word is 'Busy'. A Guide Dog will be taken to
an appropriate area and told to 'Busy', and it does!!!

It
sounds like thats all I need do for the time being. What you said
made good sense, and will save me alot of time and effort.

By the way, I admire you finding time to garden in between 6 children!

As I said, I don't garden, but, it was the previous owners who had 6
children!! We only had 4 ;-}, all flown the nest but one has come back.
One has retired early and lives in a Manor House with umpteen acres to
deal with but they do have a gardener for the main part. She tends to
about an acre which she calls her house garden;-}. No dogs or children
but Rabbits galore :-((

Children, Dogs and gardens 'DO' go together:-))

Mike

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forthcoming reunions. Royal Navy Social Weekend Sussex May 2nd - 5th.
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Chatham May 30th - June 2nd
British Pacific Fleet Hayling Island Sept 5th - 8th
Castle Class Corvettes Assn. Isle of Wight. Oct 3rd - 6th. Plus many more

(Christine) wrote in message . com...
I hope you can give me some pointers! I have a long thin garden with
a patio, but at the moment the grass area is in a right state. It's
bumpy, bare in patches, and has no definition. The dog also enjoys
using it as his personal toilet.

Trouble is I've got twin toddlers, and with the nice weather coming I
will be letting them into the garden alot more. So what is the best
thing to do with the garden? Grass is not a priority, as we back
straight onto a park. What I was thinking was large flower borders
and bark for the kids to have their slide or whatever on. My question
is, do dogs still do their business on bark? Is there anyway I can
attract the dog to a different area? I would turf the lawn but with
it being so bumpy it's going to be difficult, isn't it?

I would also like to have a small veg patch at the top of the garden.
Do dogs poo on such things?!

Dogs will do it anywhere. I've seen dogs on boats trained to 'go' on
astroturf. ;-)
Divide a bit of your garden off just for the dog and keep the rest for
the children and yourselves, plus dog to play in. That said, it's
still important to check the dog hasn't pooped on that when you
weren't looking!
As to turfing, it's the quickest route to go but be sure to get your
turves from a good source. You don't want to find it full of weed
seeds as it starts to grow. You'd need to level the lawn with topsoil
and raking etc. getting rid of any stones, existing weeds and so on
before laying them. I don't mean this rudely but it would possibly be
worth your while getting a quote from a turfing company - it's not the
easiest job in the world for the beginner gardener.
--

Sacha

Mike wrote:

If your dog trust you and you are firm but kind with it, you will win.
Don't forget the praise and reward. Guide Dogs are trained to go to the
loo 'when told' and the key word is 'Busy'. A Guide Dog will be taken to
an appropriate area and told to 'Busy', and it does!!!

Oh no. I spot a new House of Commons heckle coming up when Mr Blunkett
gets up to speak.

In article , bigboard
writes
Mike wrote:

If your dog trust you and you are firm but kind with it, you will win.
Don't forget the praise and reward. Guide Dogs are trained to go to the
loo 'when told' and the key word is 'Busy'. A Guide Dog will be taken to
an appropriate area and told to 'Busy', and it does!!!

Oh no. I spot a new House of Commons heckle coming up when Mr Blunkett
gets up to speak.


'I think not'

;-)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forthcoming reunions. Royal Navy Social Weekend Sussex May 2nd - 5th.
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Chatham May 30th - June 2nd
British Pacific Fleet Hayling Island Sept 5th - 8th
Castle Class Corvettes Assn. Isle of Wight. Oct 3rd - 6th. Plus many more

"Sacha" wrote in message
Dogs will do it anywhere. I've seen dogs on boats trained to 'go' on
astroturf. ;-)


OMG. How did they go about cleaning the astroturf?
OT - In Germany I've seen dogs trained to do it halfway up a lamppost.
(Well, at dogs bum level anyway..kind of shuffle backwards and stick it on..
I'll get my coat.)
Nat.