Graduation photos will be posted soon.  Until then feel free to check out some photos of our class training on Love-A-Bull’s blog: http://love-a-bull.org/2012/04/pit-crewtrainees-set-to-graduate-saturday-april-28th/ and some video of our adorable graduates here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rybiYnxTceU

Noelle making dog biscuits with Mo's "help."

Unfortunately there aren’t a ton of ways a girl in elementary school can volunteer with dogs on the level Noelle wants.  So when she asked her parents to contact us two years ago after seeing one of our marked cars in a parking lot,  we had to find a way to incorporate her into our team.  Since then she has helped us do everything from bake dog biscuits to manage our booth at various events.  She even participated in the Pit Crew’s training class, helping the dogs practice for their challenging roles as therapy dogs.  Still, this isn’t quite enough for her, as all Noelle wants to do is spend time with dogs.

Thankfully, allowing fantastic kids like Noelle volunteer and learn about animals just got easier in Austin.   With the help and support of her parents, Noelle is able to be part of Austin Pets Alive’s new Big Brother/Sister Program.  A lucky (and quite adorable) dog named Bunny got Noelle as her “Big” recently.   Noelle is familiarized with Bunny’s schedule and needs, wrote Bunny’s bio to help her get adopted, and gets to do fun stuff with her like play and teach her obedience cues.

Noelle Jack

While most ten year old girls are playing video games and making lists of all the toys, clothes and shoes they want, Noelle is focused on something entirely different.   She reads countless books on anything dog-related  and volunteers as much time as she can to opportunities that will allow her to help dogs and the people who love them.

Noelle’s love for animals, sense of humor, perseverance, and utterly amazing tendency for giving to others before she takes for herself, have made her a true inspiration in our lives.  We are proud to say she is part of our team and thankful for programs like APA’s Big Brothers/Sisters for giving her the opportunity to learn and grow as a truly good and wonderful person.  We hope to be more like Noelle when we grow up.

It’s a common misconception that allowing dogs on the furniture will “ruin” their temperament.   There is no magic respect switch that is flipped in a dog’s brain when they are not allowed on the furniture, and we’ve seen thousands of dogs maintain perfectly sweet and polite dispositions while enjoying the couch and bed with their people.  No use depriving them just because that episode of the Dog Whisperer said so. Instead, think of it as a personal decision.

Mo is no dummy: The couch is the most comfortable seat in the house...especially when his favorite neck pillow is available.

Some people don’t mind furring up the couch for a little extra snuggle time with their pets, while others prefer dogs stay off of their nice furniture and remain on the floor.  There is no right or wrong to this.  If approached properly, most dogs will see furniture as nothing more than what it is:  a comfortable place to cuddle with their family or a zone in the house that is simply off limits to them.

If you wish to share the couch or bed with your dog, that’s ok!  Just keep in mind that, like all other rewards, couches and beds are a privilege best controlled by the humans in the house.  Here are some simple tips and guidelines on how to do just that:

Puppies & New Dogs:

Keep puppies off of the furniture until they are about 1 year old and no longer chewing destructively or having accidents in the house.  Your couch will thank you for it later.

For mature dogs that are new to a house, we recommend 3 to 6 months without furniture access.  If other behavioral issues are being worked on, it may be best to wait a full year before allowing this privilege, or until those issues have been worked through with success.   The goal is to raise a dog that knows that furniture access can be taken away without causing any emotional distress to the dog or undoing any valuable training.

If you want to share your bed with your dog, first teach them to sleep separately on a dog bed or in a kennel for at least 6 months (possibly a full year or more  – especially for destructive and hyper puppies).  This teaches healthy independence as your dog learns that they can sleep alone – an essential lesson for young puppies as they build confidence.   It also helps maintain your freedom to sleep without your dog when you want, and prevents unhealthy dependencies that may contribute to separation anxiety.  Dogs who are allowed to sleep in bed from the time they arrive home often experience strong emotional distress when their human families travel and must be away from them for any period of time.

The On and Off of Things:

All dogs allowed on furniture should be taught an “off” cue so they can be asked to move politely when needed.  This is simple to teach and makes it easy for your dog to understand that just because they are allowed up on things, doesn’t mean they own them.

To earn access to the couch or bed, ask for a simple sit first.  After a nice sit, invite your dog up as the treat !  After a brief snuggle on the couch, then you have the perfect opportunity to practice off.  Get a treat and hold it to your dog’s nose.  Say “off” and guide them off the couch.  When four land on the floor, give them the treat and praise with “good dog!”

The Benefits:

There are benefits to allowing your pets on the furniture.  Not only do you get bonus snuggle time with your dog, but you are more likely to catch any health issues early on.  For example: a client of ours recently found a small lump on her dog’s belly that she swears she would have missed if it weren’t for her nightly couch snuggle time with her dog.  And things like smelly ears and halitosis are classic signs of infection or digestive issues that may be missed if you aren’t accustomed to being so up close and personal with your dog.

Furthermore, this is one more place you get to practice polite habits and boundaries.  A dog who is never allowed on the couch may not understand the “off” cue as clearly – something that comes in handy in a number of other situations other than furniture manners. We view it as a great sign of respect when our dogs happily remove themselves from a warm, soft seat so that we can enjoy the spot.

When furniture is not OK:

A small percentage of high status-seeking personalities may identify having furniture access as a status symbol, and may become territorial of the furniture as a result.  In severe cases the dogs will behave this way toward humans in the house.   It is more commonly seen in multi-dog homes where the pack structure is unstable and the dogs are competing with each other.   One dog will guard an area from another, which can cause some serious conflict.  This is usually not limited to just furniture though.  We’ve seen dogs guard entire sections of a house from other dogs in the family – and sometimes other human family members as well.  The couch or the bed are just one more zone that a dog on a power trip can guard, but limiting access to these spots alone is not a magic fix as it is not the root of the problem.  This behavior is a sign of imbalance, and that more boundaries, training, guidance, and exercise are needed with the dogs.  In the worst cases we’ve seen, the dogs typically have no daily structure, no feeding routine, no prior training, and therefore no real respect.  It’s typically doggie chaos that causes these problems, not the magic height of the couch.    In other words, if you see signs of furniture guarding (or any guarding) in your home, chances are the humans need to step it up on their dog duties before someone gets hurt.

Any dog who displays this type of behavior should have their furniture privileges revoked immediately to remove at least one catalyst for doggie disagreements.   This is a sure sign that further behavioral troubles are on the horizon with your dog (if they aren’t already rearing their ugly head), so contact a professional to further explore the reasons as to why your dog feels they can control things like furniture access in your home.   It’s not hard to address these problems, and the sooner you work to fix them, the easier they are to fix.

1. Find a safe spot to pull over and assess the scenario. Ok, you are going to take action here, but breath and think first.  What kind of street are you on?  If you jump out of the car, how likely is it that you will become a street pancake?  Do you have any tools to catch the dog like a leash or treats?  You aren’t going to be much help to anyone if you get injured in the process.
2. Where is the dog going to ride if you do catch them? If you have children or another dog in your car with you, we recommend avoiding this scenario.  Again, compromising the safety of yourself and your family is a bad idea.  You have no idea what that dog you are about to pick up is going to do or what condition they are in.  If you are confident that you and your vehicle can handle this situation, take action.  If not, consider pulling over and and attempting to stray the dog away from traffic at the very least.
3. Call 311 to report the stray. If catching the dog is not an option, take note of where you saw the dog (cross streets & landmarks)  so you can give the authorities the details.  If the dog is impeding traffic, they are considered a hazard and you will be forwarded to 911.  An officer will be called to respond ASAP.   If not, animal control will be sent out to capture the dog.  Either way, it only takes a minute to call.   As a frequent caller, I can tell you that they are always quick to answer and I’ve found them to be pretty quick on the scene.  Animal control may get a bad wrap, but they have saved a fair number of dogs from very dangerous situations.
4. If you can catch the dog safely, there are a number of actions you can take:

• Take the dog to your home.  If you bring a stray animal home, they should be kept separate from children and other pets.  If you do not have space for this, it may be a better idea to ask a friend for help, or contact a rescue or shelter.  Bite risk is very real in dogs that do not feel well, and it’s not always obvious when a dog is sick.  Take no chances.
• Keep the dog. We’re all in favor of adopting a homeless pet, but before you ever consider keeping a stray, you absolutely MUST post flyers in the neighborhood and list ads with photos to the various “Lost Pet” websites like: Petfinder.com, Pets911.com, and FidoFinder.com.  It is also a good idea to report the dog to the local shelter as found in case someone calls there looking for them.  This also removes any liability from you should you decide to adopt the dog later.   If you do not do your due diligence, an ex-owner can show up any time and take the dog from you.   However, dogs escape fences and run right out the front door all of the time.  Finding a dog on the street is no indication that the dog was not loved or that the owners are bad people.  Give the family at least a few weeks to contact you before you consider adopting the dog as your own.
• Contact a rescue and offer to foster the dog. So no one has called and you can’t keep this poor, homeless dog permanently.  Fostering is a labor of love and the best way to ensure that the dog you saved finds a happy home with nice people.  Different rescues have different terms on accepting dogs, but many will help you get medical care for the dog and assist in advertising them for adoption.  Austin is booming with fantastic rescues that hold huge adoption events, getting thousands of dogs adopted every year.  A little patience and a good deed completely done, and that once homeless and sick stray could live happily ever after  - all thanks to you!
• Contact a rescue to see if they will take the dog.  This is a tough one because the main thing rescues need is more foster families.  Sometimes they can take dogs in when a foster family has space, but most rescues pull dogs from the shelter as soon as space frees up.  Consider yourself very lucky if you find a rescue who can take in a found dog.
• Take the dog to a shelter.  In the U.S. alone there are 7 dogs for every 1 person and millions are euthanized every day.   This makes the outcome for a dog turned into a shelter pretty grim.  The age, breed, sex, and size of a dog all play a role in their adoptability, but do not make the mistake of thinking that Pomeranians and Yorkies don’t get put down in shelters every day.   Pure luck is the only way a dog is adopted from a shelter.  No-Kill facilities are rare and many are only no-kill as long as the animals do not get sick or go stir crazy in the kennel.  Life is hard for a homeless dog, and the big lab mixes and pit bulls have it the worst with the lowest odds for adoption.  If you do take a dog to the shelter, it is a great idea to contact local rescues and let them know about the dog – especially if the dog you turned in looks anything close to a pure bred dog.  Breed specific rescues like German Shepherd and Labrador Rescue often work with working dog groups, sending dogs with the right temperaments to train for everything from police work to handicapped services – but they have to know a dog that may suit their needs is in the shelter first.

By: Crystal Dunn, Lead Trainer and Founder Leaps N’ Hounds LLC.

Socializing your puppy is probably one of the most important things you can do for them.  It helps stabilize their temperament at an early age, teaches strong social skills that they will use throughout life, improves manners, and prevents neurotic and over reactive behaviors from developing over time.   It’s also fun.  Who doesn’t love seeing their young pup tumble with other puppies, greet new people, or snuggle up to a big friendly dog?  But there are a few things everyone should consider as they take their impressionable pup into new environments.  In this first article of the series I’ll talk about places to and not to socialize your puppy.

What not to do:  The Dog Park
The biggest mistake many new puppy owners make is going straight to the dog park.  Before I go on, let me stress that I am not ANTI-dog park.  I am just anti-puppy at the dog park – and for good reason.

It seems like the obvious choice, but dog parks are actually very dangerous places to socialize an impressionable puppy.  Many dogs find the environment overwhelming, sending the pup into panic and/or ultra submissive or aggressive states of mind.  At this delicate stage in your puppy’s life it is crucial to make sure all of their dog-to-dog experiences are good and constructive.  Panic does not do anything good or constructive for your puppy.

Consider the potential crowd at the park.  Do you know any of these dogs?  Just about anyone who has ever been to a dog park has seen some behavior that is scary between dogs.  It’s like throwing your pup to the wolves and telling them:  ”Figure it out, buddy!”  There’s no support, control, or trust being developed there.  All you can do is hope for the best.   Some dogs play way too rough or show rude dog behaviors, and your puppy does not have the maturity to deal with those behaviors properly yet.  Liken it to taking a 5 year old to an R rated film.  You don’t want your child to repeat bad words or violence any more than you want your puppy to learn to play too rough.

Dog parks are also breeding grounds for all types of parasites.  Even a vaccinated dog stands a promising chance of picking up a nasty case of Giardia or other parasite.  Dog parks are a very bad idea for dogs who aren’t completely vaccinated.  I guarantee you a puppy will pick up Parvo from a dog park faster than just about any other environment – and few puppies survive this terrible infection even if they’ve had one or two rounds of vaccinations already

And what about all that training you’ve been working on? Letting your pup roam freely in a space where they can ignore your very existence will not strengthen their relationship to you.  The dog park environment definitely reinforces more than just a few bad habits – namely the ability to completely ignore that oh so important “come” command.  Spare yourself some trouble and don’t put your puppy in an environment where they are guaranteed to ignore you and succeed at it.

If you must socialize your dog at the dog park, here are a few tips to make it a little safer and more constructive:
1.) Go when it is slow.  5 dogs or less is ideal.
2.) Choose a park that has trees and other visual barriers.  Stay away from big boring spaces where there’s nothing to do but obsess about the other dogs.
3.) Take your own water.  Community dog water=vet visits.
4.) Scoop the poop.  If you see a pile (yours or another dog’s) pick it up.  That Giardia parasite I mentioned?  Yeah, it’s found in poop and we all know how much dogs love to stick their nose in it.
5.) Familiarize yourself with dog body language.  If you can recognize rude dog behavior, you can defend your dog if needed and help others encourage friendly play at the park!

What to do: Visit Dog Friendly Places on Leash

Hop in! Mo will drive.

Austin is full of dog friendly establishments.  Home improvement stores, craft stores, pet suppliers, vets, groomers, restaurants, pubs, and leash parks – to name a few.  All of these places have a wonderful variety of people, objects, sounds, and even dogs!  Taking your dog to a variety of places will expose them to all kinds of fun new things- all while your dog is safely on leash by your side.  The leash may seem like a hassle at this stage (you’re probably still teaching good leash manners), but it is essential in teaching your dog to depend on you for guidance and protection.  Bring high value treats with you to make everything in these places a good experience while practicing sits, stays, and good manners.  Treats will make your experience with them much easier too!  Adding in a few trips to the vet or groomer without subjecting your dog to needles or clippers will also help create positive associations with these essential places for your dog.

One important note to add here (and we’ll elaborate more on this in a future article on this topic) is to protect your dog.  If at any time your dog is uncomfortable or frightened, give them space to move away from the scary stimulus.  If it is potentially dangerous (a dog you don’t know or an unfriendly person, for example), then get your dog out of there.  If it isn’t dangerous and you feel your puppy is overreacting, allow them space to move away, but give them time to evaluate the situation.  Add treats or other rewards to the situation if you think it may help change their mind (give a “scary” stranger treats to share, for example).  Never coddle them or force them, just let them observe and sniff.  Sometimes puppies just have to learn things for themselves.  There is nothing wrong with being a little cautious around new things.

For questions or to set up a training consultation, please contact us.

What does it take to be a good pet sitter?

 

 

Lyla would prefer we never leave town. Thankfully she loves her pet sitters

 

For questions or to schedule a Meet & Greet with an experienced and professional Pet Sitter from Leaps N’ Hounds, call Crystal Dunn directly at:  512-814-7297

OR submit a Service Request and one of us will follow up with you!

Your information is safe with us and will never be shared with or sold to any outside parties.

Sincerely,

Crystal Dunn, Founder & Trainer

Baby Jack at 6 months old looking for goodies on the counter.

No curious puppy can withstand the temptation of a lovely loaf of bread on the counter; especially when that puppy is big enough to reach it. Yet lack of height hasn’t stopped many tenacious little dogs from aiming high too. Once they realize the goodies are on the counter, your average dog may turn into a genius athlete capable of climbing cabinets, leaping incredible distances, and even pushing furniture closer to the counter.   Suddenly it’s all but turned into a black ops mission – all in the name of getting an ample piece of that forbidden chocolate cake.

How do we end this bad and dangerous habit?

1. Avoid it all together. Leaving food out on the counter only sets your dog up to fail, which is a grade A no-no in dog training. It’s dangerous and simply taunts the keen nose of a dog. Put the bread, butter, oils, and other foods away so your dog isn’t rewarded for their counter curiosity.
2. Teach your dog the “Leave it” cue. Every puppy should understand the concept of: that’s not for you. “Leave it” has a very positive effect on a dog’s respect-o-meter, and a million different uses.  We venture to say it may be one of the most useful obedience commands ever.
3. Teach the “Off” cue. “Down” means lay down, “Off” means: keep your four on the floor, puppy face!
4. Teach basic obedience. When put to practical use, obedience translates to communication, respect, happy bonds and healthy boundaries.
5. Catch them in the act. Correction is effective only when you catch your dog before they have eaten the whole stick of butter.   Correct them verbally and sternly when you catch your dog counter surfing, but do not yell or run after your dog.  Dog’s like games and nothing says fun like a good romp around the kitchen island while you chase excitedly behind.
6. Redirect. If your dog shouldn’t be surfing the counters, what should they be doing?   So if you don’t want them surfing the counters, make sure you show them what you DO want them to do.  How about a fun, interactive toy or chew?   If following a stern correction with a redirection, be sure to offer the redirect in a gentle, positive and friendly tone, as if to say: I was unhappy with your counter surfing, but you playing with this toy will make me happy.
7. Feed from the dog bowl, not the counter. We fully support adding dog-healthy veggies and other foods to your dog’s diet, but feeding from the counter only says to a dog: “Hey! Lookie where the food comes from!”  Put nutritious foods in their bowl to avoid creating a beggar and counter surfer.
8. Supervise & be patient. Young dogs are scavengers by nature and our human rules make no sense to them. Keep a close eye on your young dog at all times and spend the energy to be consistent about redirecting them when they are headed for trouble. They’ll thank you for it later by giving you many wonderful years of good behavior.

There are other techniques, such as booby trapping, that are commonly used to deter even the worst counter surfers from scavenging food prep areas.  Some of these techniques work for some dogs, but they may also have unwanted side effects like irrational fears.  We highly recommend contacting a professional Dog Trainer to assess your dog’s temperament and habits before trying these techniques.  Plus, chances are good that if a dog is counter surfing, there are other manners they could work on too.   You may be pleasantly surprised at how much better life with your dog is with a professional’s guidance.

Even little dogs will eat random plants and objects. Look out for them. That low ground clearance can make them pretty sneaky!

but the wellbeing of our pets too.  Feline and canine sensitivities and reactions may vary to these plants, but it’s usually safe to assume that what is toxic to one will be toxic to the other.  A plant on the non toxic list may still cause vomiting or other reactions.  Plants can also pose a phyisical risk to an animal, often causing intestinal blockage or internal puncturing.  Please supervise your pets and, if they become ill due to ingestion of a plant, remember to take part of the plant with you to your veterinarian.   In other words, tell your pets to stick to the food bowl and do your best to discourage any adventurous snacking.  :)

Before we start with plants, here are a few common foods to avoid feeding:

Onions & onion powder, mushrooms and other fungus, chocolate, caffeine in all forms, grapes, raisins, nuts (peanut butter is ok in small doses, but avoid whole nuts  - especially macadamia nuts), whole garlic, nutmeg, potato and tomato green parts and stems, apple cores, and seeds in general.

Printable version: Toxic plants to Pets

TOXIC PLANTS (scroll down for the non toxic list)

• Acocanthera (flowers, fruit)
• Aconite (also called Monkshood, Wolfsbane – leaves, flowers, roots)
• Acorns (all parts)
• Alfalfa (also called Lucerne – foliage)
• Almond (seeds)
• Aloe Vera (also called Burn Plant – sap)
• Alsike Clover (foliage)
• Amaryllis (also called Naked Lady – bulbs)
• American Yew (also called Yew – needles, seeds, bark)
• Amsinckia (also called Tarweed – all above ground, especially seeds)
• Andromeda Japonica (all parts)
• Angel’s Trumpet (also called Chalice Vine, Datura, Trumpet Vine – all parts, especially seeds)
• Angel’s Wings (also called Elephant Ears – leaves, stems, roots)
• Antherium (also called Flamingo Lily, Painter’s Palette – leaves, stems, roots)
• Apple (seeds)
• Apple of Peru (also called Thornapple, Flowering Tolguacha – all parts, especially seeds)
• Apricot (inner seed)
• Arrowgrass (foliage)
• Arrowhead Vine (also called Nepthytis, Tri-Leaf Wonder – leaves, stems, roots)
• Asian Lily (Liliaceae – all parts)
• Asparagus Fern (shoots, berries)
• Australian Nut (all parts)
• Autumn Crocus (also called Crocus – all parts)
• Avocado (fruit, pit, leaves)
• Azalea (all parts)
• Baneberry (also called Doll’s Eyes – foliage, red/white berries, roots)
• Bayonet Plant (foliage, flowers)
• Belladonna (all parts, especially black berries)
• Bird of Paradise (seeds, fruit)
• Bitter Cherry (seeds)
• Bitter Nightshade (also called Climbing Nightshade, Bittersweet, European Bittersweet – all parts, especially berries)
• Bittersweet (also called Bitter Nightshade, Climbing Nightshade, European Bittersweet – all parts, especially berries)
• Black Locust (leaves, shoots, pods, seeds, inner bark)
• Black Nightshade (also called Common Nightshade, Nightshade – unripe berries)
• Bleeding Heart (foliage, roots)
• Bloodroot (all parts)
• Blue Flag (also called Flag, Fleur-de-lis, Iris – bulbs)
• Blue-Green Algae (all parts)
• Bluebonnet (also called Lupine, Quaker Bonnets – all parts)
• Boston Ivy (leaves, berries)
• Bouncing Bet (also called Soapwort – all parts)
• Boxwood (all parts)
• Brackenfern; Braken Fern (also called Brake Fern – all parts)
• Brake Fern (also called Brakenfern, Braken Fern – all parts)
• Branching Ivy (leaves, berries)
• Buckeye (also called Ohio Buckey, Horse Chestnut – buds, nuts, leaves, bark, seedlings, honey)
• Buckthorn (all parts)
• Buddhist Pine (all parts)
• Bulbs (all species in the families Amarylliaceae, Iridaceae, Liliaceae – bulbs)
• Bull Nettle (also called Carolina Nettle, Horse Nettle – all parts)
• Burn Plant (also called Aloe Vera – sap)
• Buttercups (also called Crowfoot (new leaves, stems)
• Caladium (all parts)
• Caley Pea (all parts)
• Calfkill (all parts)
• Calla Lily (all parts)
• Candelabra Cactus (also called False Cactus – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Carolina Horsenettle (also called Bull Nettle, Horse Nettle – all parts)
• Carolina Jessamine (also called Yellow Jessamine, Yellow Jasmine – all parts)
• Castor Oil Plant (also called Castor Bean – all parts, especially seeds)
• Castor Bean (also called Castor Oil Plant – all parts, especially seeds)
• Ceriman (also called Cut-leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese (leaves, stems, roots)
• Chalice Vine (also called Angel’s Trumpet, Trumpet Vine – all parts)
• Charming Dieffenbachia (all parts)
• Cherry (also called Bitter Cherry, Choke Cherry, Pin Cherry, Wild Black Cherry – all parts)
• Cherry Laurel (foliage, flowers)
• Chicks (all parts)
• Chinaberry Tree (berries)
• Chinese Evergreen (leaves, stems, roots)
• Chinese Inkberry (also called Jessamine – fruit, sap)
• Chinese Lantern (leaf, unripe fruit)
• Choke Cherry (seeds, bark)
• Christmas Flower (also called Christmas Plant, Easter Flower, Poinsettia – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Christmas Plant (also called Christmas Flower, Easter Flower, Poinsettia – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Christmas Rose (foliage, flowers)
• Chrysanthemum (also called Feverfew, Mum – all parts)
• Cineria (all parts)
• Clematis (all parts)
• Climbing Nightshade (also called Bitter Nightshade, Bittersweet, European Bittersweet – all parts)
• Clover (also called Alsike Clover, Red Clover, White Clover – foliage)
• Cocklebur (seeds, seedlings, burs)
• Common Burdock (burs)
• Common Nightshade (also called Black Nightshade, Nightshade – unripe berries)
• Common Privet (foliage, berries)
• Common Tansy (foliage, flowers)
• Coral Plant (all parts)
• Cordatum (all parts)
• Corn Lily (also called False Hellebore, Western False Hellebore – all parts)
• Corn Plant (also called Cornstalk Plant – all parts)
• Cornflower (all parts)
• Cornstalk Plant (also called Corn Plant – all parts)
• Corydalis (leaves, stems, roots)
• Cowslip (new leaves, stems)
• Crab’s Eye (also called Jequirity Bean, Precatory Bean, Rosary Pea – beans)
• Creeping Charlie (all parts)
• Crocus (also called Autumn Crocus – all parts)
• Croton (foliage, shoots)
• Crowfoot (also called Buttercup – new leaves, stems)
• Crown of Thorns (all parts)
• Cuban Laurel (all parts)
• Cuckoo Pint (also called Lords and Ladies – all parts)
• Cultivated Bleeding Heart (leaves, stems, roots)
• Cultivated Larkspur (all parts)
• Cutleaf Philodendron (also called Ceriman, Fruit Salad Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant – leaves, stems, roots)
• Cycads (all parts)
• Cyclamen (foliage, flowers, stems)
• Cypress Spurge (foliage, flowers, sap)
• Daffodil (also called Jonquil, Narcissus – all parts)
• Daphne (berries, bark, leaves)
• Datura (all parts)
• Day Lily (all parts)
• Deadly Nightshade (also called Belladonna, Black Nightshade, Common Nightshade – foliage, unripe fruit, sprouts)
• Death Camas (also called Amanita – all parts)
• Death Cap Mushroom (all parts)
• Delphinium (all parts)
• Destroying Angel Mushroom (also called Amanita – all parts)
• Devil’s Backbone (also called Kalanchoe – leaves, stems)
• Devil’s Ivy (also called Golden Pothos, Pothos – all parts)
• Devil’s Trumpet (also called Datura – all parts)
• Dieffenbachia (also call Dumb Cane – all parts)
• Dogbane (leaves, stems, roots)
• Doll’s Eyes (also called Baneberry – foliage, red/white berries, roots)
• Dracaena Palm (foliage)
• Dragon Tree (foliage)
• Dumbcane (also called Aroids – leaves, stems, roots)
• Dutchman’s Breeches (also called Staggerweed – leaves, stems, roots)
• Dwarf Larkspur (also called Larkspur, Poisonweed – all parts)
• Easter Flower (also called Christmas Flower, Christmas Plant, Poinsettia – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Easter Lily (leaves, stems, flowers, bulbs)
• Eggplant (all parts but fruit)
• Elaine (all parts)
• Elderberry (all parts)
• Elephant Ears (also called Angel’s Wings – leaves, stems, roots)
• Emerald Duke (also called Majesty, Philodendron, Red Princess – all parts)
• Emerald Feather (also called Emerald Fern – all parts)
• Emerald Fern (also called Emerald Feather – all parts)
• English Ivy (leaves, berries)
• English Yew (also called Yew – needles, seeds, bark)
• Ergot (fungus on seed heads of grains and grasses)
• Eucalyptus (all parts)
• Euphorbia (foliage, flowers, sap)
• European Bittersweet (also called Bitter Nightshade, Bittersweet, Climbing Nightshade – all parts)
• Everlasting Pea (all parts)
• False Cactus (also called Candelabra Cactus – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• False Hellbore (also called Corn Lily, Western False Hellebore – all parts)
• Feverfew (also called Chrysanthemum, Mum – leaves, stalks)
• Ficus (sap, peel)
• Fiddle-leaf Fig (all parts)
• Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron (all parts)
• Fiddleneck (also called Tarweed – all parts above ground)
• Flag (also called Blue Flag, Fleur-de-lis, Iris – bulbs)
• Flamingo Plant (all parts)
• Flax (foliage)
• Fleur-de-lis (also called Blue Flag, Flag, Iris – bulbs)
• Florida Beauty (all parts)
• Fly Agaric (also called Amanita – all parts)
• Four O’Clock (all parts)
• Foxglove (leaves, stems, flowers, seeds)
• Foxtail Barley (also called Squirreltail Barley, Wild Barley – seedheads)
• Fruit Salad Plant (also called Ceriman, Cut-leaf Philodendron, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant – leaves, stems, roots)
• Gelsemium (foliage, flowers, berries, sap)
• Geranium (all parts)
• German Ivy (all parts above ground)
• Ghost Weed (also called Snow on the Mountain – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Giant Dumbcane (also called Dieffenbachia – all parts)
• Gill-Over-The-Ground (all parts)
• Glacier Ivy (leaves, berries)
• Gladiola (bulbs)
• Glory Lily (all parts)
• Gold Dieffenbachia (all parts)
• Gold Dust Dracaena (foliage)
• Golden Chain (also called Laburnum – flowers, seeds)
• Golden Pothos (also called Devil’s Ivy, Pothos – all parts)
• Grapes (all parts; also see Raisins)
• Green Dragon (also called Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Indian Turnip – leaves, stems, roots)
• Green False Hellebore (also called Indian Poke, White Hellebore – all parts)
• Green Gold Nephthysis (all parts)
• Ground Ivy (all parts)
• Groundsel (also called Ragwort, Tansy Ragwort – all parts above ground)
• Hahn’s Self-branching English Ivy (leaves, berries)
• Heartleaf (also called Parlor Ivy, Philodendron – all parts)
• Heartland Philodendron (also called Philodendron – all parts)
• Heavenly Bamboo (all parts)
• Hellebore (foliage, flowers)
• Hemlock (also called Poison Hemlock – all parts)
• Henbane (seeds)
• Hens-and-Chicks (all parts)
• Holly (berries)
• Horse Nettle (also called Bull Nettle, Carolina Horsenettle – all parts)
• Horse Chestnut (also called Buckeye, Ohio Buckeye – buds, nuts, leaves, bark, seedlings, honey)
• Horsebrush (foliage)
• Horsehead Philodendron (all parts)
• Horsetail (also called Scouringrush – all parts)
• Hurricane Plant (bulbs)
• Hyacinth (bulbs, leaves, flowers)
• Hydrangea (all parts)
• Impatiens (also called Touch-me-not – all parts)
• Indian Poke (also called Green False Hellebore, White Hellebore – all parts)
• Indian Rubber Plant (all parts)
• Indian Turnip (also called Green Dragon, Jack-in-the-Pulpit – leaves, stems, roots)
• Inkberry (also called Pokeweed – all parts)
• Iris (also called Blue Flag, Flag, Fleur-de-lis – bulbs)
• Ivies (all species – leaves, berries)
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (also called Green Dragon, Indian Turnip – leaves, stems, roots)
• Jamestown Weed (also called Jimsonweed – all parts)
• Janet Craig Dracaena (foliage)
• Japanese Show Lily (all parts)
• Japanese Yew (also called Yew – needles, seeds, bark)
• Jasmine (foliage, flowers, sap)
• Jatropha (seeds, sap)
• Java Bean (also called Lima Bean – uncooked beans)
• Jequirity Bean (also called Crab’s Eye, Precatory Bean, Rosary Pea – beans)
• Jerusalem Cherry (all parts)
• Jessamine (also called Chinese Inkberry – fruit, sap)
• Jimson Weed (also called Jamestown Weed – all parts)
• Johnson Grass (leaves, stems)
• Jonquil (also called Daffodil, Narcissus – all parts)
• Juniper (needles, stems, berries)
• Kalanchoe (also called Devil’s Backbone – leaves, stems)
• Klamath Weed (also called St. Johnswort – all parts)
• Laburnum (also called Golden Chain – flowers, seeds)
• Lace Fern (all parts)
• Lacy Tree Philodendron (all parts)
• Lambkill (also called Sheep Laurel – all parts)
• Lantana (also called Lantana Camara, Red Sage, West Indian Lantana, Yellow Sage – foliage, flowers, berries)
• Lantana Camara (also called Red Sage, Yellow Sage – foliage, flowers, berries)
• Larkspur (all parts)
• Laurel (all parts)
• Lilies (all species – all parts)
• Lily-of-the-Valley (all parts)
• Lima Bean (also called Java Bean – uncooked beans)
• Locoweed (all parts)
• Lords and Ladies (also called Cuckoo Pint – all parts)
• Lucerne (also called Alfalfa – foliage)
• Lupine (also called Bluebonnet, Quaker Bonnets – all parts)
• Macadamia Nut (all parts)
• Madagascar Dragon Tree (foliage)
• Majesty (also called Emerald Duke, Philodendron, Red Princess – all parts)
• Mandrake (also called Mayapple – all but ripe fruit)
• Marble Queen (all parts)
• Marigold (also called Marsh Marigold – new leaves, stems)
• Marsh Marigold (also called Marigold – new leaves, stems)
• Mauna Loa Peace Lily (also called Peace Lily – all parts)
• Mayapple (also called Mandrake – all but ripe fruit)
• Mescal Bean (also called Texas Mountain Laurel – all parts)
• Mexican Breadfruit (also called Ceriman, Cut-leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Split-leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant – leaves, stems, roots)
• Mexican Poppy (also called Prickly Poppy – all parts)
• Milk Bush (also called Euphorbia, Tinsel Tree – all parts)
• Milkweed (leaves, stems, roots)
• Milo (foliage)
• Miniature Croton (foliage, shoots)
• Mistletoe (all parts)
• Mock Orange (fruit)
• Monkshood (also called Aconite, Wolfsbane – leaves, flowers, roots)
• Moonseed (berries)
• Morning Glory (all parts)
• Mother-in-Law Tongue (also calledSnake Plant – foliage)
• Mountain Laurel (also called Lambkill, Sheep Laurel – all parts)
• Mushrooms (also called Amanita, Death Cap, Destroying Angel, Fly Agaric, Panther Cap, Spring Amanita – all parts)
• Nap-at-Noon (also called Snowdrop, Star of Bethlehem – all parts)
• Narcissus (all parts)
• Needlepoint Ivy (leaves, berries)
• Nephthytis (also called Arrowhead Vine, Tri-Leaf Wonder – leaves, stems, roots)
• Nightshade (also called Black Nightshade, Common Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade – berries)
• Nutmeg (nut)
• Oaks (buds, young shoots, sprouts, acorns)
• Oleander (all parts)
• Onion (all parts)
• Orange Day Lily (all parts)
• Panda (all parts)
• Panther Cap Mushroom (also called Amanita – all parts)
• Parlor Ivy (also called Heartleaf, Philodendron- all parts)
• Peace Lily (also called Mauna Loa Peace Lily – all parts)
• Peach (pits, wilting leaves)
• Pennyroyal (foliage, flowers)
• Peony (foliage, flowers)
• Periwinkle (all parts)
• Peyote (also called Mescal – buttons)
• Philodendron (also called Heartland Philodendron – leaves, stems, roots)
• Pie Plant (also called Rhubarb – leaves, uncooked stems)
• Pimpernel (foliage, flowers, fruit)
• Pin Cherry (seeds)
• Pinks (all parts)
• Plumosa Fern (all parts)
• Poinsettia (also called Christmas Flower, Christmas Plant, Easter Flower – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Poison Hemlock (also called Hemlock – all parts)
• Poison Ivy (all parts)
• Poison Oak (all parts)
• Poison Weed (also called Dwarf Lakspur, Larkspur, Delphinium – all parts)
• Pokeweed (also called Inkberry – all parts)
• Poppy (all parts)
• Potato (sprouts, vines, unripe tubers)
• Pothos (also called Devil’s Ivy, Golden Pothos – all parts)
• Precatory Bean (also called Crab’s Eye, Jequirity Bean, Rosary Pea – beans)
• Prickly Poppy (also called Mexican Poppy – all parts)
• Primrose (all parts)
• Privet (also called Common Privet – foliage, berries)
• Quaker Bonnets (also called Lupine, Blue Bonnet – all parts)
• Queensland Nut (all parts)
• Ragwort (also called Groundsel, Tansy Ragwort – all parts above ground)
• Raisins (also see Grapes)
• Red Clover (foliage)
• Red Emerald (all parts)
• Red Lily (all parts)
• Red Margined Dracaena (also called Straight Margined Dracaena – all parts)
• Red Maple (leaves)
• Red Princess (also called Emerald Duke, Majesty, Philodendron – all parts)
• Red Sage (foliage, flowers, berries)
• Red-Margined Dracaena (foliage)
• Rhododendron (also called Azalea – all parts)
• Rhubarb (also called Pie Plant – leaves, uncooked stems)
• Ribbon Plant (foliage)
• Richweed (also called White Snakeroot, White Sanicle – leaves, flowers, stems, roots)
• Rosary Pea (also called Crab’s Eye, Jequirity Bean, Precatory Bean – beans)
• Rosemary (foliage)
• Rubrum Lily (all parts)
• Saddle Leaf (also called Philodendron – all parts)
• Sago Palm (all parts)
• Satin Pothos (all parts)
• Schefflera (also called Philodendron – all parts)
• Scotch Broom (all parts)
• Scouringrush (also called Horsetail – all parts)
• Senecio (all parts above ground)
• Sensitive Fern (all parts)
• Sheep Laurel (also called Lambkill – all parts)
• Silver Queen (also called Chinese Evergreen – leaves, stems, roots)
• Singletary Pea (all parts)
• Skunk Cabbage (leaves, stems, roots)
• Snake Plant (also called Mother-in-law’s Tongue – all parts)
• Snapdragon (foliage, flowers)
• Snow on the Mountain (also called Ghost Weed – leaves, stem, milky sap)
• Snowdrop (also called Nap-at-Noon, Star of Bethlehem – all parts)
• Soapwort (also called Bouncing Bet – all parts)
• Sorghum (foliage)
• Spathiphyllum (also called Peace Lily – leaves, stems, flowers, bulbs)
• Split-leaf Philodendron (also called Ceriman, Cut-leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Swiss Cheese Plant – leaves, stems, roots)
• Spotted Cowbane (also called Water Hemlock, Spotted Water Hemlock – all parts)
• Spotted Dumb Cane (also called Dieffenbachia – all parts)
• Spotted Water Hemlock (also called Spotted Cowbane, Water Hemlock – all parts)
• Spring Amanita (also called Amanita – all parts)
• Spurges (also called Euphorbia, Milk Bush, Tinsel Tree – all parts)
• Squirrelcorn (leaves, stems, roots)
• Squirreltail Barley (also called Foxtail Barley, Wild Barley – seedheads)
• St. Johnswort (also called Klamath Weed – all parts)
• Staggerweed (also called Bleeding Heart, Dutchman’s Breeches – leaves, stems, roots
• Star Jasmine (foliage, flowers)
• Star of Bethlehem (also called Snowdrop, Nap-at-Noon – all parts)
• Stargazer Lily (all parts)
• Stinging Nettle (also called Wood Nettle – leaves, stems)
• String of Pearls (all parts above ground)
• Straight Margined Dracaena (also called Red Margined Dracaena – all parts)
• Striped Dracaena (foliage)
• Sudan Grass (all parts)
• Sweet Cherry (seeds)
• Sweet Pea (all parts)
• Sweetheart Ivy (leaves, berries)
• Swiss Cheese Plant (also called Ceriman, Cut-leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron – leaves, stems, roots)
• Syngonium (all parts)
• Tangier Pea (all parts)
• Tansy Ragwort (also called Grounsel, Ragwort – all parts above ground)
• Taro Vine (leaves, stems, roots)
• Tarweed (also called Amsinckia – all parts above ground)
• Texas Mountain Laurel (also called Mescal Bean – all parts)
• Thornapple (also called Apple of Peru, Flowering Tolguacha – all parts)
• Tiger Lily (leaves, stems, flowers, bulbs)
• Tinsel Tree (also called Euphorbia, Milk Bush – all parts)
• Tobacco (leaves)
• Tolguacha – flowering (also called Apple of Peru, Thornapple – all parts)
• Tomato (foliage, vines, green fruit)
• Touch-me-not (also called Impatiens – all parts)
• Tree Philodendron (leaves, stems, roots)
• Tri-Leaf Wonder (also called Arrowhead Vine, Nepthytis – leaves, stems, roots)
• Trillium (foliage)
• Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia (also called Dieffenbachia – all parts)
• Trumpet Lily (all parts)
• Trumpet Vine (also called Angel’s Trumpet, Chalice Vine – all parts)
• Tulip (bulbs)
• Tung Oil Tree (all parts)
• Umbrella Plant (all parts)
• Variable Dieffenbachia (all parts)
• Variegated Philodendron (all parts)
• Variegated Wandering Jew (leaves)
• Velvet Lupine (all parts)
• Venus Flytrap (all parts)
• Verbena (foliage, flowers)
• Vinca Vine (all parts)
• Virginia Creeper (sap)
• Walnuts (hulls)
• Wandering Jew (leaves)
• Warneckei Dracaena (all parts)
• Water Hemlock (also called Spotted Cowbane, Spotted Water Hemlock – all parts)
• West Indian Lantana (foliage, flowers, berries)
• White Clover (foliage)
• White Hellebore (also called Green False Hellebore, Indian Poke – all parts)
• White Sanicle (also called White Snakeroot, Richweed – leaves, flowers, stems, roots)
• White Snakeroot (also called White Sanicle, Richweed – leaves, flowers, stems, roots)
• Wild Barley (also called Foxtail Barley, Squirreltail Barley – seedheads)
• Wild Black Cherry (seeds)
• Wild Bleeding Heart (leaves, stems, roots)
• Wisteria (also called Chinese Wisteria, Japanese Wisteria – seeds, pods)
• Wolfsbane (also called Aconite, Monkshood – leaves, flowers, roots)
• Wood Lily (all parts)
• Wood Nettle (leaves, stems)
• Yellow Jasmine (also called Carolina Jessamine, Yellow Jessamine – all parts)
• Yellow Oleander (also called Yellow Be-Still Tree – all parts)
• Yellow Sage (foliage, flowers, berries)
• Yellow Star Thistle (foliage, flowers)
• Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (all parts)
• Yews (needles, seeds, bark)
• Yucca (all parts)

NON-TOXIC PLANTS

• Achira
• Acorn Summer Squash
• African Violet
• Air Plant
• Airplane Plant
• Algarroba
• Aluminum Plant
• Alumroot
• American Plane Tree (also called American Sycamore, Buttonwood)
• American Rubber
• Anthericum Comosum
• Antirrhinum Multiflorum
• Arabian Gentian
• Aregelia
• Artillery Plant
• Aspidium Falcatum
• Aubepine
• Autumn Olive (also called Autumn Oleaster)
• Baby Rubber Plant (also called Pepper-Face)
• Baby Tears (also called Creeping Jenny)
• Baby’s Breath
• Bachelors Buttons
• Ball Fern
• Bamboo
• Bamboo Palm
• Bamboo Vine
• Banana
• Banana Squash
• Banana Tree
• Barrel Cactus
• Basil
• Beefsteak Plant (also called Chicken Gizzard Plant)
• Begonia
• Belmore Sentry Palm
• Big Shellbark Hickory
• Bitter Pecan
• Bitternut Hickory
• Black Haw
• Black Hawthorn
• Blaspheme Vine
• Bloodleaf Plant
• Blooming Sally (also called Fire Weed, Great Willow Herb, Willow Herb)
• Blue Bottle
• Blue Daisy
• Blue-Bead (also called Bride’s Bonnet, Queencup)
• Blue-Dicks
• Blue Echeveria
• Blushing Bromeliad
• Blunt Leaf Peperomia
• Bold Sword Fern
• Boston Fern
• Bottle Palm (also called Elephant Foot Tree, Ponytail Palm)
• Bottlebrush
• Brazilian Orchid
• Bristly Greenbrier
• Bride’s Bonnet (also called Blue-Bead, Queencup)
• Broom Hickory
• Brodiaea Pulchella
• Bullbrier
• Bur Gourd
• Burro Tail (also called Donkey Tail)
• Buttercup Squash
• Butterfly Ginger (also called White Ginger)
• Butterfly Iris
• Butterfly Orchid
• Butterfly Squash
• Button Fern
• Buttonwood (also called American Sycamore, American Plane Tree
• Cactus (most)
• Caeroba
• Calathea (also called Peacock Plant, Rattlesnake Plant, Zebra Plant)
• Calthea Lancifolia
• California Pitcher Plant
• Callistemon
• Calochortus Nuttalli
• Camellia
• Canadian Hemlock
• Canary Date Palm
• Candle Plant (also called Royal Charlie)
• Candy Corn (also called Goldfish Plant)
• Canna Lily
• Cantebury Bell
• Cape Jasmine
• Cape Primrose (also called Streptocarpus)
• Carob
• Carob Tree (also called Locust Beans, Locust Pods)
• Caroba
• Carobinha
• Carolina Hemlock
• Carrion Flower (also called Starfish Flower)
• Carrot Fern
• Casaba Melon
• Cast-Iron Plant
• Cat Brier
• Cat Ear
• Catmint (also called Catnip)
• Catnip (also called Catmint)
• Catgrass
• Cattleya
• Celosia
• Chamaedorean
• Chaparral
• Chenille Plant
• Chervil
• Chestnut
• Chicken Gizzard Plant (also called Beefsteak Plant)
• Chickens and Hens
• China Aster
• China Root
• Chinese Fan Palm
• Chinese Parsley (also called Cilantro, Coriander, Indian Parsley)
• Chinese Plumbago
• Chin-lao-shu
• Chives
• Chlorophytum (also called Airplane Plant, Ribbon Plant, Spider Ivy, Spider Plant)
• Chocolate Soldier
• Christmas Dagger
• Christmas Orchid
• Christmas Palm (also called Manila Palm)
• Cilantro (also called Coriander, Chinese Parsley, Indian Parsley)
• Cinnamon
• Cinquefoil
• Cirrhopetalum
• Clearweed
• Cliff Brake Fern
• Club Moss
• Cocks Comb
• Cocktail Orchid
• Coleus
• Collinia
• Color-band
• Columnar
• Common Staghorn Fern
• Confederate Jasmine
• Coolwort
• Copperleaf
• Copperlead
• Copper Rose
• Coralardisia
• Coral Bells
• Coral Berry
• Coriander (also called Cilantro, Chinese Parsley, Indian Parsley)
• Corn Plant
• Cornflower
• Crataegus
• Creeping Charlie
• Creeping Gloxinia
• Creeping Jenny (also called Baby Tears)
• Creeping Mahonia
• Creeping Pilea
• Creeping Rubus
• Creeping Zinnia
• Crepe Myrtle
• Crimson Bottlebush
• Crimson Cup
• Crisped Feather Fern
• Crossandra
• Cucumber
• Cushon Aloe
• Cushion Moss
• Cyrtudeira
• Dainty
• Dainty Rabbits-Foot Fern
• Dallas Fern
• Dancing Doll Orchid
• Davallia
• Donkey Tail (also called Burro Tail)
• Dandelions
• Desert Trumpet
• Dichelostemma
• Dichorisandra Reginae
• Dill
• Dinteranthus Vanzylii
• Duffii Fern
• Duffy Fern
• Dwarf Date Palm
• Dwarf Feather Fern
• Dwarf Palm
• Dwarf Rose-Stripe Star
• Dwarf Royal Palm
• Dwarf Whitman Fern
• Dracaena (except d. Marginata)
• Earth Star
• Easter Cattleya
• Easter Daisy
• Easter Lily Cactus (also called Barrel Cactus)
• Easter Orchid
• Echeveria
• Elephant Foot Tree (also called Bottle Palm, Ponytail Palm)
• Elephant-Ear Begonia
• Emerald Ripple Peperomia
• English Hawthorn
• Epidendrum (also called Orchid)
• False Aralia
• Fairy Fountain
• Fan Tufted Palm
• Feather Fern
• Feathered Amaranth
• Fiery Reed Orchid
• Fig Leaf Gourd
• Figleaf Palm
• Fingernail Plant
• Fire Weed (also called Blooming Sally, Great Willow Herb, Willow Herb)
• Fish Tail Fern
• Flame African Violet
• Flame of the Woods
• Flame Violet
• Florida Butterfly Orchid
• Fluffy Ruffles
• Forster Sentry Palm
• Forsythis
• Fortunes Palm
• Freckle Face (also called Measles Plant, Polka-dot Plant)
• Friendship Plant (also called Panamiga, Pan-American Friendship Plant, Silver Tree)
• Frosty
• Garden Canna
• Garden Marigold
• Garden Snapdragon
• German Violet
• Gardenia
• Gerbena (also called Gerbena Daisy)
• Gherkins
• Ghost Leafless Orchid
• Ghost Plant
• Giant Aster
• Giant Holly Fern (also called Western Sword Fern)
• Giant White Inch Plant
• Gibasis Geniculata
• Globe Thistle
• Gloxinia
• Gold Bloom
• Golden Aster
• Golden Bells
• Golden Lace Orchid
• Golden Shower Orchid
• Goldfish Plant (also called Candy Corn)
• Good Luck Palm
• Grape Hyacinth
• Grape Ivy
• Great Willow Herb (also called Blooming Sally, Fire Weed, Willow Herb)
• Greenbrier
• Green Ripple Peperomia
• Guiana Chestnut (also called Money Tree Plant, Pachira)
• Hagbrier
• Hardy Baby Tears
• Hardy Gloxinia
• Haws
• Haws Apple
• Haworthia (also called Wart Plant)
• Hawthorn
• Hedgehog Gourd
• Hellfetter
• Hemlock Tree
• Hens and Chickens
• Hen And Chickens Fern
• Hibiscus
• Hickory
• Hindu Rope Plant (also called Hoya)
• Holly Fern
• Holligold
• Hollyhock
• Honey Locust
• Honey Plant (also called Hoya, Wax Plant)
• Honeydew Melons
• Honeysuckle Fuchsia
• Hookera Pulchella
• Horse Brier
• Hoya (also called Wax Plant)
• Hubbard Squash
• Hypocyrta
• Ice Plant
• Impatiens
• Imbricata Sword Fern
• Indian Parsley (also called Cilantro, Chinese Parsley, Coriander)
• Irish Moss
• Iron Cross Begonia
• Irontree
• Ivy Peperomia
• Ivy-Leaf Peperomia
• Jackson Brier
• Jacob’s Ladder
• Jade Plant
• Japanese Aralia
• Japanese Holly Fern
• Japanese Moss
• Japanese Pittosporum
• Jasmine
• Jewel Orchid
• Joseph’s Coat
• Jungle Geranium
• Kaempferis
• Kahili Ginger
• Kalanchoe
• Kenilworth Ivy
• Kentia Palm (also called Thatch Leaf Palm)
• Kenya Palm
• Kenya Violet
• Kharoub
• King and Queen Fern
• King of the Forest
• Kuang-yen-pa-hsieh
• Lace Flower Vine
• Lace Orchid
• Lady Lou
• Lady Palm
• Lady’s Eardrop
• Large Lady Palm
• Laurel Leaved Greenbrier
• Lavender
• Leadwort
• Leather Peperomia
• Lemon Balm
• Lemon Bottlebrush
• Leng-fen Tu’an
• Leopard Lily
• Leopard Orchid
• Lesser Snapdragon
• Lettuce
• Lily Of The Valley Orchid
• Linden
• Lipstick Plant (also called Climbing Beauty, Pipe Plant)
• Little Fantasy Peperomia
• Little Zebra Plant
• Living Rock Cactus
• Living Stones
• Locust Beans (also called Carob Tree, Locust Pods)
• Locust Pods (also called Carob Tree, Locust Beans)
• Lou-Lang-T’ou
• Luther
• Madagascar Jasmine
• Magnolia Bush
• Mahonia
• Mahonia Aquifolium
• Malabar Gourd
• Malaysian Dracaema
• Manila Palm (also called Christmas Palm)
• Mapleleaf Begonia
• Maranta
• Marbled Fingernail
• Mariposa Lily
• Maroon
• Mary-Bud (also called Pot Marigold)
• Measles Plant (also called Freckle Face, Polk-dot Plant)
• Metallic Leaf Begonia
• Metallic Mexican Firecracker
• Mexican Rosettes
• Mexican Snowballs
• Mint
• Mistletoe Cactus
• Mockernut Hickory
• Money Tree Plant (also called Guiana Chestnut, Pachira)
• Mosaic Plant
• Mosiac Vase
• Moss Agate
• Moss Campion
• Moss Fern
• Moss Phlox
• Moss Rose
• Moss Rose Peperomia (also called Red Tree)
• Mother Fern
• Mother Spleenwort
• Mother of Pearl
• Mountain Ash
• Mountain Camellia
• Mountain Grape (also called Oregon Grape)
• Mulberry Bush Greenbrier
• Mulberry Tree
• Musa
• Muscari
• Muskmellon
• Narrow Leafed Pleomele
• Natal Plum
• Neanthe Bella Palm (also called Parlor Palm)
• Nematanthus
• Neoregelia (also called Bromiliad)
• Nephrolepsis (also called Fern)
• Nerve Plant
• New Silver and Bronze
• Night Blooming Cereus
• Norfolk Pine
• Oats
• Odontoglossum
• Old Man Cactus
• Old World Orchid
• Orchid
• Orange Star
• Oregano
• Oregon Grape (also called Mountain Grape)
• Oriental Sycamore
• Ossifragi Vase
• Pachira (also called Guiana Chestnut, Money Tree Plant)
• Paddys Wig
• Painted Lady
• Palm Lily
• Palms (all)
• Pampus Grass
• Pan-American Friendship Plant (also called Friendship Plant, Panamiga, Silver Tree)
• Panamiga (also called Friendship Plant, Pan-American Friendship Plant, Silver Tree)
• Pansy Orchid
• Papyrus
• Paradise Palm
• Parlor Palm (also called Neanthe Bella Palm)
• Parlor Plant
• Parsley
• Parsley Fern
• Peace Begonia
• Peacock Plant
• Pearl Plant
• Pearly Dots
• Peperomia
• Pepper-Face (also called Baby Rubber Plant)
• Peppermint
• Persian Violet
• Petunia
• Pheasant Plant
• Piggyback Plant
• Pignut
• Pignut Hickory
• Pilea
• Pink Brocade
• Pink Pearl
• Pink Starlite
• Pirliteiro
• Pitaya
• Plantanus
• Platinum Peperomia
• Plumbago
• Plush Plant
• Polka-dot Plant (also called Freckle Face, Measles Plant)
• Ponytail Palm (also called Bottle Palm, Elephant Foot Tree)
• Porcelain Flower
• Pot Marigold (also called Mary-Bud)
• Prairie Lily
• Prairie Snowball
• Prayer Plant (also called Calathea, Maranta)
• Prickly Bottlebrush
• Purple Baby Tears (also called Purple Creeping Jenny)
• Purple Passion Vine
• Purple Waffle Plant (also called Waffle Plant)
• Purpleosier Willow
• Queen’s Spiderwort
• Queencup (also called Bride’s Bonnet, Blue-Bead)
• Queensland Arrowroot
• Rabbit’s Foot (also called Rabbit’s Tracks)
• Rabbit’s Foot Fern
• Rabbit’s Tracks (also called Rabbit’s Foot)
• Radiator Plant
• Rainbow Orchid
• Rattlesnake Plant
• Red African Violet
• Red Berried Greenbrier
• Red Edge Peperomia
• Red Hawthorne
• Red Ivy (also called Red-Flame Ivy)
• Red Palm Lily
• Red Tree (also called Metallic Peperomia)
• Red Veined Prayer Plant
• Red-Flame Ivy (also called Red Ivy)
• Rex Begonia
• Reed Palm
• Resurrection Lily
• Rhynchophorum
• Ribbon Plant
• Roosevelt Fern
• Rose
• Royal Velvet Plant (also called Velvet Plant)
• Rubber Plant
• Russian Olive
• Saffron Spike Zebra
• Sage
• Saint Bernards Lily
• Salvia (also called Scarlet Sage, Texas Sage)
• Sand Lily
• Sand Verbena
• Sanseverria
• Satin Pellionia
• Sawbrier
• Scabious
• Scarborough Lily
• Scarlet Orchid
• Scarlet Sage (also called Salvia, Texas Sage)
• Sedum
• Sego Lily
• Shagbark Hickory
• Shan Ku’ei-Lai
• Shellbark Hickory
• Shiny Leaf Smilax
• Shrimp Cactus
• Silver Bell
• Silver Berry
• Silver Heart
• Silver Leaf Peperomia
• Silver Nerve Plant
• Silver Pink Vine
• Silver Star
• Silver Table Fern
• Silver Tree Anamiga (also called Friendship Plant, Panamiga, Pan-American Friendship Plant, Silver Tree)
• Slender Deutzia
• Small Fruited Hickory
• Spearmint
• Speckled Clintonia (also called Speckled Wood Lily)
• Speckled Wood Lily (also called Speckled Clintonia)
• Spice Orchid
• Spider Ivy
• Spider Plant
• Spinach
• Spotted Laurel
• Squarenut
• Squirrel’s Foot Fern (also called Black Rabbit’s Foot Fern)
• St. Bernard’s Lily
• Staghorn Fern
• Star Jasmine
• Star Lily
• Star Plant
• Star Tulip
• Star Window Plant
• Starfish Flower (also called Carrion Flower)
• Steptocarpus
• Strawberry
• Striped Blushing
• Sugar Pods
• Sulphur Flower
• Summer Hyacinth
• Swedish Ivy
• Sweetheart Hoya
• Sweetheart Peperomia
• Sweet William
• Sword Fern
• Tahitian Bridal Veil
• Tailed Orchid
• Tall Feather Fern
• Tall Mahonia
• Tarragon
• Teasel Gourd
• Texas Sage (also called Salvia, Scarlet Sage)
• Thatch Leaf Palm (also called Kentia Palm)
• Thea Japonica
• Thimble Cactus
• Thorn Apple
• Thyme
• Ti Hu-ling
• Tiger Orchid
• Toad Spotted Cactus
• Torch Lily
• Tous-les-mois
• Trailing Peperomia
• Tree Cactus
• Tree Gloxinia
• Tropical Moss
• True Cantalope
• Tu Fu-ling
• Tulip Poplar (also called Tulip Tree)
• Tulip Tree (also called Tulip Poplar)
• Turban Squash
• Turf Lily
• Variegated Laurel
• Variegated Oval Leaf Peperomia
• Variegated Philodendron Leaf
• Variegated Wax Plant (also called Hoya)
• Velvet Plant (also called Royal Velvet Plant)
• Verona Fern
• Verona Lace Fern
• Vining Peperomia
• Violet Slipper Gloxinia
• Waffle Plant (also called Purple Waffle Plant)
• Walking Anthericum
• Wart Plant (also called Haworthia)
• Washington Hawthorn
• Water Hickory
• Watermelon Peperomia
• Watermelon Pilea
• Wax Plant (also called Honey Plant, Hoya)
• Wax Rosette
• Weeping Bottlebrush
• Weeping Sergeant Hemlock
• Weisdornbluten
• West Indian Gherkin
• Western Sword Fern (also called Giant Holly Fern)
• Wheat Celosia
• Wheat Grass
• White Ginger (also called Butterfly Ginger)
• White Edged Swedish Ivy
• White Heart Hickory
• Whitman Fern
• Wild Buckwheat
• Wild Hyacinth
• Wild Lantana
• Wild Sarsaparilla
• Wild Strawberry
• Willow Herb (also called Blooming Sally, Fire Weed, Great Willow Herb)
• Windmill Palm
• Winter Cattleya
• Withered Snapdragon
• Woolflower
• Yellow Bloodleaf
• Yellow-flowered Gourd
• Yerba Linda
• Yucca
• Zebra Basket Vine
• Zebra Haworthia
• Zebra Plant
• Zinnia
• Zucchini squash

The most effective training occurs in day-to-day life as you reward good behavior and challenge your dog to work and play politely in new and more exciting environments.    This teaches them that the rules that apply in the house also apply outside of the house , no matter how exciting the situation may be.  It also gives us the opportunity to do fun activities with our dogs that bond them to us, making them more eager to please us and more interested in learning.

Bailey enjoying the view after a fun day of work and play.

As our Beagle/Catahoola friend, Bailey, has been visiting us for a board and train over the past week, we’ve done our best to duplicate the various scenarios that she will be expected to behave politely in.   Our goal with Bailey is not only to teach her obedience in the home, but to to build her into the kind of dog that her people will want to take everywhere – A confident and interactive true member of the family.

Bailey has come a long way from her shy shelter days.   Throughout her training she has traveled:  in the car, to the pet store, to the park, to our friends homes with new (polite) dogs, and out hiking around town.  In all of these places Bailey has been expected to follow the rules and cues we defined for her previously in her home during our quieter foundation training.

Bailey’s progress is unmistakable.  She sits and waits patiently for her meals (instead of her previous counter surfing techniques), her isolation anxiety has vanished (along with the potty accidents it caused), she is highly responsive to

Audrey & Crystal -Overlook at Penny Back Bridge

light verbal correction and redirection, she leaves a room on cue, jumps in the car on her own, and has learned that a loose leash and considerate walk is the easiest way to go anywhere.   The patience and focus that Bailey has learned makes obedience cues like sit and down a common language that we use to communicate, challenging her with new and fun learning experiences.

When Bailey goes home this week we will miss her.  She has become part of our family too, and we consider her a friend whom we know very deeply.   But we will return her home with pride.  Bailey is a perfect example of how clear and consistent positive reinforcement, practice, and redirection are all key in raising a happy, healthy, and confident dog.  We hope her family will enjoy her in beautiful weather again soon, just as we have.  Maybe they’ll go for another fun hike to enjoy fantastic views of Austin or perhaps go to a festival.  Whatever they enjoy together, we are happy to have been a part of the fun times she will share with her family for many sunny days to come.