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Why Your Dog is Digging Up the Backyard and How to Stop it

Many dogs will dig up the backyard and ruin grass, plants, or fences. Specific dog breeds are more prone to digging than others such as Dachshund, Bedlington Terrier, Beagle, and Siberian Husky. They may do this for a number of reasons whether it’s their high energy, to cool off, the smell of buried food or rodents, or their instincts telling them to work. 

OTHER CAUSES

 

LACK OF SPECIFIC NUTRIENTS

Sometimes if a dog is lacking certain nutrients, they will eat the soil in hopes to find the vitamins they are lacking. A less serious cause of eating soil is because their sense of smell is extremely sharp and they may smell leftover food in the soil. 

ANXIETY

If there is a thunderstorm or loud sounds that your dog is afraid of, it may be digging as a way to escape due to their anxiety.
 

WHAT TO DO

 

EXERCISE

Your pup may be bored. Take your dog for a long walk or to the dog park to help it release any pent-up energy. You can play with your dog in the backyard with a toy as well. Keeping your pet active will not allow it to have idle time to start digging.

PROVIDE A COOL TEMPERATURE

Some breeds dig into the earth because the temperature is too hot. To make sure your pup is not overheating, place an accessible water bowl in the yard so it can hydrate with cool water. Other options can be to buy a small pool for your dog to swim in or to bring your dog inside to cool off for a while.

CREATE A DIGGING ZONE

If you don’t mind your pup digging in a designated area of the yard, you can create a digging zone just for them.

It’s important not to punish your dog for doing this because it is natural to them. By hindering their natural instinct, it can lead to a decrease in their overall well-being.

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The Health Effects of Drinking While Pregnant

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders occur when a mother ingests alcohol while pregnant. This act severely harms the baby physically, mentally, and emotionally. These are long term effects that the baby will endure up until adulthood. The only way to prevent these issues to avoid all alcohol during pregnancy.

DRINKING ALCOHOL WHILE PREGNANT

Drinking any amount of alcohol during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature baby, undeveloped limbs, behavior problems, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, heart defects, meltdowns, hearing problems, autism, vision problems, and hyperactivity.

LACK OF ADEQUATE NUTRIENTS

Drinking alcohol while pregnant will prevent the fetus from becoming nourished with adequate minerals such as Vitamin D, Omega-3s, and B6. Omegas are essential for a healthy brain. A deficiency of Omega-3s can result in lupus, mental illness, vision disorders, hyperactivity, and behavioral disorders. B6 deficiency can negatively affect personality traits, damage cells, cause seizures, and weaken the immune system. Vitamin D prevents depression and improves sleep patterns. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to mood swings, joint pain, and high blood pressure.

HOW IT AFFECTS ADULTHOOD

As the child grows up, they may find it difficult to control their emotions, have poor reasoning skills, face memory problems, have difficulty socializing with others, and possibly struggle with alcoholism. The child may now seem intrusive, hyper, and unable to learn in school. It may also deter them from employment.

RECOVERY

Though there is no quick fix to any of these side effects, there is always hope for recovery.

Those suffering from FADS have strengths as well. They can be athletic, friendly, artistic, helpful, generous, determined, non-judgmental, and hard workers. By focusing on their strengths, and helping them work through their individual conditions, they can learn to function better.

Cognitive therapy can be beneficial for people with FAS. Exercising such as running is known to improve memory and enhance cognitive function which may have been impaired. Exercise can be used as an additional treatment to therapy.

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Activities in Woodbridge

There are plenty of activities to choose from when deciding to explore outside of the Woodbridge community for all tastes and ages.

FIREWHEEL TOWN CENTER

There are 111 stores at this shopping center. They range from clothes for men, women, and children to banks, restaurants, a movie theater, Barnes & Noble, and Family Fun Escape Rooms. This is a place you can enjoy regardless of the weather. It’s full of fun in one place.

FOOD TOURS OF AMERICA

If you’re a fan of food, friends, art, and history, you may be interested in a food tour. The tour guides will give you an in-depth explanation of the history and beautiful areas of this town. They offer food from up to six restaurants who use only the finest ingredients to make homemade meals.

DALLAS ARBORETUM & BOTANICAL GARDENS

This 66-acre botanical garden provides cooking classes, concerts, private events, weddings, daily tastings, Seated Tea, and Frozen Fridays (if you’re interested in tasting some frozen treats). There are 20 different gardens that you can explore as well. This is perfect for a sunny day when you want to be surrounded by bloomed flowers and vibrant greens.

WOODBRIDGE GOLF CLUB

If you’re interested in golfing, Woodbridge Golf Club offers lessons for adults and juniors. Pricing depends on your preferred lessons. The scenery is full of vibrant greenery and it was rated four stars.

DALLAS BY CHOCOLATE TOURS

Whether it’s a holiday tour to view Christmas lights, taste holiday treats, and sip hot chocolate while touring or to enjoy a pizza, winery, and live music tour, Dallas by Chocolate tours have you covered. They offer many different tour options and all ages are included. What’s a better way to explore Texas than by getting a tour around the beautiful city?

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The Benefits of Wooden Toys

There is something magnetic about wooden toys. Most kids can play with them for hours and never get bored. They are timeless, durable, and enchanting. They are beneficial for the cognitive, social, and physical development of children as well.

 

REDUCES ANXIETY

Wooden toys are very soothing for the child’s sense of touch. They are more tranquil than most toys especially since they do not have loud sounds as most toys do.

 

TRIGGERS IMAGINATION

Wooden toys come in shapes of food or vehicles which enables them to use their imagination to incorporate them into play. They can even build homes or buildings with basic shapes that will teach them physics and geometry.
 

IMPROVES MOTOR SKILLS

Since these toys vary in shapes and sizes, the child will learn how to properly grasp each toy. They will experiment with different ways to get a good grip on the toy they are trying to hold or carry.

  

IMPROVES HAND-EYE COORDINATION

When children build towers out of wooden blocks, it enables them to be strategic. It will teach them to be careful and observant as to what causes the towers to fall down. Stacking toys will provide them with logical thinking.

 

THEY ARE SAFE AND DURABLE

Unlike plastic toys that are filled with BPA and PVC, wooden toys will not fill your home or your child with toxic chemicals. They are made from natural, non-toxic materials. They won’t break easily either which will prevent them from being a choking hazard. They also do not have any sharp edges.

 

ECO-FRIENDLY

You can teach your kids from an early age how to care for the planet by giving them wooden toys. Buying wooden toys can prevent filling up the landfills with non-biodegradable material and man-made plastic toys as many other toys do not.