We are often asked how to stop a dog or puppy from eating or digging up the best flowers in the garden.
It is actually more common than many people think for young puppies to dig up and retrieve plants within your garden.
The most common thing for a young puppy to do when they are still finding their feet is for your puppy to dig up and retrieve a newly planted flower - the reason dog trainers think that puppy's tend to do this with newly planted flowers is because your scent is still on the flower and in a misguided attempt to please you he retrieves the flower.
Start by reinforcing that the flowers are not to be touched - you can do this either through prevention (after all prevention is better than cure) by placing a small wire fence around the flowers (make sure that it is safe) so your puppy is unable to get at the plants.
Now start reinforcing positive behavior by showing your puppy exactly what can be retrieved (after-all you don't want to stop the retrieval instinct you just need to divert your puppy's attention).
If your puppy starts to go near the flowers - use a plastic bottle filled with stones an rattle it to divert your puppy's attention (say 'NO' at the same time).
Now you have diverted your puppy's attention use a toy or bone and throw it so that your puppy learns to retrieve acceptable objects.
Consistently reinforce this behavior by giving your puppy lots of praise and a treat.
Your puppy will soon learn what is acceptable to pick up and retrieve and will learn through repeated exposure that the flowers and any other plants are a no go area.