I remember planting a clematis and sitting back proudly viewing my new plant.....in dashed Fancy (our corgi) at the tender age of 4 months and she snatched the plant right out of the ground! She tore off with me hot on her heels. I grabbed her shouting NO! (Reflex action on my part.) She was so surprised she dropped the plant and I hustled her into the house "bitching" at her all the way. I went outside to re-plant and then went back to see Fancy. She looked questioningly at me and I made peace with her. We went outside again and I watched her. She cautiously went near the plant and I told her in a very low tone not to touch it. She looked at me and that was it. It was left alone from then on. Other plants? I'd just anticipate her interest and tell her to leave it alone. Eventually, she left all plants alone. I wish you similar success.

Came across your blog as a link from Ronni Bennet. I like the look of your dog - what breed is she? I have a six month old cairn terrier who adores digging. No use for the garden, but might help with the builders when they come to do an extension next month.

Lila is a Portuguese Water Dog, Freda. So far she hasn't been digging too extensively (yet), except once around two globe cedars. And then she lay down in the cool dirt between the bushes. Of course I filled it in later, which seemed fine to her (so far). I'm planning on getting her a sandbox and also a wading pool.

She does seem to listen when I tell her not to eat the flowers. But there are so many temptations in the way my garden is laid out, it will be interesting as the summer progresses to see what happens.