How about pachysandra, winter creeper or periwinkle? All are evergreen and tough as nails. I have pachysandra growing in pure sand and full shade and while it hasn't spread a lot, it's hanging in there. Winter creeper is listed as an invasive, so use with caution. I have 3 Australian Shepherds, so I know how much sand can get carried in on those furry feet.

Be the "alpha" dog. It's really the same advice as above regarding consistent training, but I think it's the hardest thing in the world for us ppor humans to do. Dogs actually love having a clear idea about who is the boss. Unlike cats ... and I love them, too ... dogs are genetically wired to figure out who is boss in their group. If it isn't clear, then there will be a constant battle of wills going on. It can look like play, but the serious object is who is in charge and what can I get away with. Humans who are constantly erratic about what is and isn't okay help to create neurotic, anxious dogs who will tend to take advantage. The inconsistencies we telegraph mean that the dog(s) aren't clear about who is in charge of the "pack". If you are sending the message that your dog is really in charge of you, then don't be surprised when they make an executive decision. In addition to the above, creating habits and schedules also seem to be helpful for many dogs. No dog needs 24/7 access to food. Feeding twice a day -- best from the person who is most able to send the "alpha" vibe -- is a daily reminder of who provides. It's a simple way to reinforce your role. Other chewing problems definitely have to do with seperation anxiety and/or boredom. A little harder to fix sometimes, and often requires trying several approaches before finding one that suits the particular dog. My beautifully trained golden sometimes didn't like it when I was gone. Since all my dogs can go anywhere in public (Guide Dogs for the Blind) he wasn't used to it the few times he had to stay home. He would go to the trash can if, and only if, there was citrus peal in it. (Had this dog in student housing and first apartment. no disposal.) He'd carefully remove the peel and chew on it. Turns out he was raised with a small orange tree orchard in the backyard. His puppy raiser would throw the oranges as a fetch toy. So Cruiser was remembering his puppy days to alleviate the boredom and stress. Just like with humans, I find my dogs have been much better able to handle me going out without them, if they have had adequate interaction and exercise. Again, they're social, pack-oriented creatures. A dog that has had adequate exercise v a dog that hasn't will tend to do better when left alone. Daily grooming, if you have the time for it, can also go along way toward reducing the shedding problem. I'm not good at this one, and the kind of daily grooming the Guide Dog school recommends takes a minimum of 30 minutes per dog. Finger massage to loosen hair; rubber curry brush to continue the process; switch to hard bristle brush; final combing. It can truly make a difference, but in winter it's impossible to do outside. For me, I tend to worry less about hair ... Unavoidable, inevitable ... and focus on the "manners" I expect. Dogs should not go where they have no permission to go. Dogs should not do what they have no permission to do. They will have bad days, and they will occasionally make poor decisions, but it's their behaviors I can have some control over. I can't control the shedding ... even with baths, grooming, etc. Not sure any of this is helpful. Wellspring

Sometimes I believe that animals are just as intelligent as humans. This video has me all choked up...Bless his heart...hope someone finds him and gives him a good home.

Ours were the arms & legs toys. Although they are thinner than the booda, they weren't so thin that a normal dog would destroy as quickly as old gal. I did ask about the booda bone because they are very sturdy, and vet says no. I guess you have to make a judgment call as to whether your dog will gently chew the toy vs. my old gal who destroys anything you give her. I think his concern for me is that should old gal have an obstruction at any point, there would be no surgery option. We have found only 5 toys in 12 years that she hasn't destroyed. The Kongs are great, but there are only a couple of styles, we have balls that look like a world, a very hard rubber bone and the "chill pill" which was a Christmas present from my parents (they have 2 labs and know the potential for destruction by my old gal). The feed store where I buy their food will give me a call now and then when they want to try out a toy, the litmus test is old gal. LOL The real treat is a marrow bone, cooked 10 minutes in the microwave, marrow removed and rinsed. All three each get one during the summer months when they can be outside to chew on them. They are a real mess. The dogs go nuts. They know what they are when they are on the counter and then cooking in the microwave the group is circling. I will say they are very oily,and from the stains that they've made on my deck, I wouldn't want that on my carpet in the cold months. I also wouldn't give it to a puppy under 6 mos. since it may upset their young stomach. I have a great number of those old marrow bones in the "toy bin" that are now licked clean and they seem to be what my guys will pick out rather than a toy. There are times where I see chipping and at that point I take them away. I try to buy the thickest marrow bones offered at the meat department. If there are no really thick ones, I take a pass. I definitely don't keep bathroom or any other area rugs with fringe. They would be gone!