Do a search for "bridge grafting pine trees". This is a common, not difficult, method used for trees girdled by rabbits.

Voles eat below the snow. Rabbits is most likely. Check for animal tracks in order to better id the varmint.

Hmmm. Dogs should be sleeping when they are not in the presense of their people while in the home. I do notice in my neighborhood that when people leave their dogs in the yard, free to their own devices, they bark incessantly. I would strongly recommend that you don't let the dog stay in the yard unsupervised. If you truly do want to fix this problem without collars or surgery and without a behaviorist then your best bet is to confine the dog in a bedroom or a crate with acceptable chew toys. Most of the time when people don't let their pets stay inside when they are not home is because of destructive chewing. That's why it's important to train your dog when it's a puppy what is ok to chew on and what isn't. Stuffed kongs and other good chewies will help with anxiety but it is not sufficient excercise or mental stimulation for a working terrier. I have a terrier mix and a bearded collie, both working dogs that need a great deal of excercise and mental stimulation and I'm always trying to figure out new ways to get them worn out. I would suggest a brisk 30 minute walk before you leave for work. That will tire the dog and his senses. Then he goes in his play room to chill until you come home for work at which time he gets another walk to tire him and his senses while you fix supper or whatever. Knowing that terriers are bred to search for rodents and whatnot and having observed how much mine yearns to dig in search for these critters, I periodically take him to the woods where I let him sniff and dig to his hearts content and it really is a pleasure to watch. I suggest you let your dog have regular opportunities to excerise this instinct that he was bred to have. If a person was trapped in a yard all day, everyday with nothing to do they would be bored out of their minds. Same with dogs. On days where weather doesn't permit a lengthy walk, or even if it does, I play fetch and tug of war and hide and seek with the dogs. I do so until the ball stops coming back. I run them up and down the stairs for treats until their tongues are dangling sideways out of their mouth. Then I give them a stuffed kong when play time is over and they fall fast asleep. Short durations of this excercise won't impact your lifestyle too much and it will make all the difference in the world to your pet. You've identified the problem, here are some easy solutions you can put into action today and I hope that helps. Not long ago, I did call the police because of a barking dog that one of the idiot neighbors left all alone in a kennel outside for a week while they were out of town and the dog whined and cried and howled all day and night. I don't know that it accomplished anthing as the dog continued for days.

First of all, we don't know the age or the breed of these dogs. If the older dog is a large breed and the pup is a small breed, then I don't think it's a good idea to let them hang out together outside, especially this time of year. You said "because she will not understand why she is getting punished if we dont see her do it". I do hope you're not punishing your dog when you find, or see, her having an accident. The best advice I've seen written on house training your dog is, everytime the dog has an accident in the house take a newspaper, roll it up very tight, and then hit YOURSELF on the head. Dogs won't learn housetraining by being punished, they'll only learn to do their business out of your sight, somewhere in the house, thinking they won't get punished. A consistent routine and lots of praise will be rewards for both of you. I think the puppy is confused because you leave her outside at your house and then she's expected to know what to do at your girlfriends house. It's difficult enough to housetrain a dog in one home, much less two homes. Also, keep in mind that not all breeds learn at the same rate, so don't expect how well your dogs learned in the past to apply to your current dog(s). As for the barking..........he wants to be with his pack........you. Why can't he come in the house? If he's playing at night then he's not getting enough exercise during the day. Try walking him every day, tossing a tennis ball or even go to a dog park. He's bored and it appears he has a lot of pent-up energy. If you do a search on the web on 'housetraining dogs' you should find lots of info to help you with your pup. One last note...........you may want to have the pup checked by a vet and make sure she doesn't have a urinary tract infection. Frequent urination is red flag for an infection.