Renowned Gardeners’ World personality Monty Don recently shared concerning news about his cherished pet dog, Ned, who has been displaying signs of distress at home. Speaking on the Dig It podcast alongside hosts Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley, the 70-year-old gardening expert interacted with listeners and delved into the topic of life with his canine companions.

In the podcast discussion, Jo inquired about methods to create a more pup-friendly garden before introducing a new dog. Monty, a BBC figure, acknowledged that certain aspects of having dogs in the garden, like urine spots on the lawn, are unavoidable.

Addressing the query on making gardens dog-friendly, Monty humorously recounted instances where his dog Ned disrupted the garden. He emphasized the importance of involving dogs in daily garden activities from the beginning, suggesting that dogs adapt better when integrated into routines.

Despite his belief in dogs adjusting naturally to garden life, Monty revealed that Ned, a familiar face on Gardeners’ World, is currently troubled due to his son’s dog being in heat. Ned’s behavior has been erratic, exhibiting signs of distress and restlessness.

Monty, who owns two dogs—Ned, a golden retriever, and Patti, a Yorkshire terrier—stressed his lifelong companionship with dogs, sharing that he is rarely without them in the garden. He expressed his dogs’ respectful behavior in the garden, noting their minimal damage and playful antics on the pathways.

Earlier this year, Monty mourned the passing of his dog Peggy, who lived a peaceful life until almost 16 years old. He plans to lay her to rest alongside his other beloved pets in the garden’s coppice.

The Gardeners’ World show airs on BBC Two on Fridays at 8 pm.