Monty Don has urged the UK's more than 15 million dog owners to pay attention when spending time in the garden. In a clip shared by BBC Gardeners' World Magazine on YouTube, the gardening expert revealed that dogs have always been a constant presence in his garden. He said he has picked up a few lessons along the way, and that the key is not to overcomplicate matters.
However, there are certain things worth being mindful of, and he outlined two particular tips that all dog-owning gardeners ought to know. Following this advice could significantly improve both pets' wellbeing and the experience of gardening alongside them. This is not the first time Monty Don has offered valuable guidance; he has previously shared advice about watering plants too.
Yew plants and puppies
On the subject of dangerous plants, Monty Don said it is not something he worries about too much. "As regards dangerous plants, that isn't something I worry about too much because, in my experience, and I've had lots of dogs, dogs don't go looking to munch on poisonous things any more than you and I do."
The one exception, he said, is yew, known botanically as Taxus. "The one plant I would keep an eye on with a puppy is yew, Taxus. If you see a puppy chewing some yew, and that's often happened to me, don't panic. Just take it out of its mouth."
He added: "The chances are the worst that will happen is it might make it sick but, if it eats a lot, well then it can do more damage. So keep an eye out for that, but don't worry too much about the horror stories that you read online or people tell you."
The danger of throwing sticks
The second tip involves an activity many dogs love. He said: "The one thing though that I don't do anymore at all is don't throw sticks for dogs." He added: "Dogs love it, and nine times of out 10 there's no harm whatsoever, but I had a dog I threw a stick for, it went and got it, and the stick pierced the back of its mouth and came out through its neck. Luckily it survived, but that was not good."
Monty Don's personal experience reflects a wider concern among professionals. Numerous experts actively caution against using sticks for fetch, and several veterinary organisations strongly discourage the practice because it can lead to severe and even life-threatening injuries.
Beyond the risk of grave injuries, sticks can also cause splinters and lacerations. Ingesting fragments of wood can cause a dangerous blockage in a dog's airway or obstruct their digestive tract. Wood also harbours dirt, bacteria and fungi that can result in painful abscesses, severe neck infections or even sepsis.
For these reasons, it is strongly recommended that owners avoid throwing sticks both in their gardens and while out walking their dogs. Should any concerns arise about a dog in the garden, the advice is to seek guidance from a vet as soon as possible.
