by Logan Andrear

Created on: March 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 27, 2007

Dogs are like children. They are curious, mischievous, and lovable. But with their endless amounts of energy a dog can wreak havoc on your lawn. Digging holes underneath your fence and eating your plants is common dog behavior. Their urine can stain your grass and leave unsightly yellow patches. And who wants to navigate through a yard littered with piles of feces?

Luckily, with a little exercise, training, and some help from your local PetSmart you can minimize the amount of damage your dog does.

Ask any elementary school teacher her favorite time of day and she's bound to say recess. To ask a child to sit still for an extended period of time is impossible. Dogs are no different. Along with a wagging tail and supreme loyalty, dogs come with pent up energy that could rival the grid for a New York city block. If you do not provide an adequate means for your dog to expend this energy they will find ways to do it themselves. This means digging holes and chewing on plants and yard furniture. Walk your dog twice a day. This exercise is vital for your dog and an ideal way for him to release extra energy.

Obedience training is a great way to eliminate a lot of unwanted dog behavior. A variety of dog training options exist. Numerous kennels or dog grooming facilities offer group training classes for you and your dog. In addition to the benefits of training, classes like these provide socialization opportunities for your dog. This will help decrease his anxiety every time a neighbor walks by your house. If a group class doesn't interest you many trainers will come to your home to work with you individually. These lessons are often more expensive than group training but you get more personal help and attention for your money. Once you have learned the skills to train your dog you can implement strategies to prevent your dog from unwanted digging and chewing.

Another method to prevent unwanted chewing is Bitter Apple. This can be found at any pet store. If your dog is constantly chewing on your plants you can spray them with a small amount of Bitter Apple. As its name implies, Bitter Apple literally leaves a bitter taste in your dog's mouth. The next time your dog chews the plants the taste will be awful. Hopefully, this will deter your dog from continuing that behavior. But beware. Many dogs develop a tolerance (or even an affinity) to Bitter Apple if it is used too often. These cases are not common but do exist.

Also, don't be afraid to use a kennel. Many people avoid using

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