I have a question about Gertrude Jekyll. I pruned mine after its last flush to about 2-2.5ft and it looked pretty tidy for about two weeks It's since put out a couple of basals and new growth that has to be 5ft at least at this point. Gertrude Jekyll on 8/2/16 Gertrude Jekyll 8 days later As you can see, my GT is looking kind of gangly - Clearly I didn't prune it hard enough! My question is is it necessary to wait until after the cane blooms to cut it down? This is sitting out in front of a window at my apartment, and is kind of an eye sore to look at, plus, I don't want to draw unwanted attention. If it helps to know, I'm in NC zone 7b. AKA humid and hot!

It's wonderful that you're thinking things through ahead of time and great that you plan to adopt a shelter dog who needs a home. Even if you have never trained a dog before, you can learn. The obedience classes are for YOU the owner, and that's where YOU will learn to train your pup. The real training of the pup happens at your home one step at a time. Don't feel that because you have never had a dog before you are less capable than others to train your dog. You are in fact in a BETTER position because you don't know the ineffective or damaging ways to train your pup...and can instead learn and implement the most effective ways to train. Many folks believe that because they grew up with dogs they know everything there is to know about dogs and they don't keep up with new findings on the most effective ways to train. That's why we still see folks who advocate cumpulsive training methods instead of positive and motivational training. Please avoid so-called 'puppy camps.' You need to be involved in the training, and will have no idea what methods will be used when you leave. The shock collars and negative methods will come out as soon as you leave. Why else would they not want you around? Plus you want your dog to bond with you and learn together. Training isn't a two week thing, it's a lifestyle. Most dogs thrive with ongoing training. GOOD trainers know that they are training YOU not the dog, that training continues for the life of the dog, and that you must be involved and working with the dog or any training they've done won't last. Short cuts used at these puppy camps can traumatize the dog and affect learning and confidence or even damage the dog. Here's a link to the most recent article I've seen on this type of trainer: http://www.kcra.com/r-video/26395882/detail.html Please keep learning and reading. I've attached a link to the APDT site which has a lot of good info on training, including the reasons why food based positive training is most effective. There's also information on selecting a trainer. Remember that anyone can call themselves a trainer, so be sure to check credentials, and look for CPDT and APTD certified. Observe a class before you sign up and run the other way if you see pictures of shock collars and prong collars on any trainers website. These are damaging tools, and there are so many skilled trainers out there who really do know how to train without use pain as a motivator. Here is a link that might be useful: APTD

Thank you all for the great responses! you have some funny stories!! Kim okla-I'm from Okla too! Live in Norman. So glad to hear the doggy door can be a good thing. I still need to do some research on the kind of doggy door. We live in town so hopefully not too many wild animals running around. I have always dreamed of having a dog that walks and wanders around the house and sleeps in an area of his choice. Although, I can definately see the crate being a good thing also. My sister has a dog that she keeps in the crate while she is gone-and on the occasion she is out shopping or whatever, she has to make sure get gets back to let him out. It cuts down on her time away a bit. But, she doesn't have to worry about him chewing her furniture either. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, I guess. I didn't think about what he might take outdoors/indoors-could be interesting-LOL! Were any of your dogs older when you brought them home to use the doggy door, or were they puppies, or would it matter you think as far as them taking to the doggy door easily? I guess what I'll do is keep him in his crate and let him out right by the doggy door for awhile until he gets it? olliesmom

Hi Kids, Sorry, I did not think to include the link. Thank you, enjoyingspring for taking care of my error. sooey