Some dogs are not safe around plants. You can't watch them all the time and puppies are like children -- everything goes in their mouth. I choose to be very careful what I plant and not to plant anything highly poisonous in my garden just to be on the safe side. The link at the bottom is from the ASPCA Poison Center, which includes a number to call if your animal is poisoned. Some plants are more toxic than others, some dogs are more sensitive, it all depends. Mine ate my azalia bush with no ill effects, but I won't be replacing it. I'm sorry about your experience with your puppy. I almost lost a tiny Shih tzu when he ate a toadstool. It's a terrifiying experience and worse if you think you were the cause. He will probably outgrow the nibbling, but he won't outgrow the digging since he's a terrier. Good luck keeping your new plants in the ground. I have a Jack Russell and I've replanted a few times this year. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Plants Poisonous to Animals

Hi Dave, Your tree will not "heal" if you try to tape the wounded wood together. The best course of action is to make a clean cut on the trunk just below where the damage occured. You can start at the base of the wound if it didn't split below the broken trunk. By now your oleander has a fairly extensive root system which it will rely on to provide the energy to produce new growth. The new shoots will create the framework for the 'new' tree. Select 3 or 4 that are closest to the wound area and remove the rest. Make sure that these 3 or 4 are well spaced around the trunk. In other words they shouldn't all be on the same side. Remove the guy-wire staking system. A tree should never be staked and tied in this manner and your tree shouldn't need staking now. A tree's trunk must be allowed to move slightly in the wind in order for it to produce 'reaction' wood which makes it stronger. It's kind of like having your arm in a cast. If you can't move the muscles, they become weak and when the cast is removed they are much smaller than the arm that could move. If you find you have to stake your tree (which I doubt) use two 2-inch wood stakes placed about 2 feet from the trunk. Use a rubber hose with wire run inside to create a donut to support the trunk. The trunk should be able to move inside this donut. Details are in the link below. The lollipop shape probably contributed to the damage your tree suffered. The weight of the branches was at the tips basically making it top heavy. As your tree's new shoots grow, allow them to create a more natural shape. Yellow Oleanders have a nice compact form and its genetics will produce this .... eventually. You may decide to replace your tree if it's appearance doesn't suit you. If so, fall is a great time to plant. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: Planting Trees and Shrubs

Severe continuous root pruning. As sections die back, cut more roots. BUT I'd complain to your city/town first and get your neighbors to join in. If it is a neighborhood hazard the civil authorities might take it out.

yes, prune and yes it will sprout into a bushier plant, but wear gloves and be careful, the sap is extremely toxic look it up, I have 3 of these and sorry I planted them more trouble then they are worth, need to spray constantly for worms/caterpillars that can eat the bush up in days.