WHat did you use to rid him of the fleas?? A good flea killer shampoo will get rid of the fleas on HIM, but if there are fleas outside he'll just get reinfested...
As for the garden - forget about it....landscape the areas the dog can't get to - we plant the front yard - the back yard has minimal plants except for the spots where we have raised beds which are also fened to keep the dogs out...
Shedding really badly - happens year round for me!! I love my Dyson vac!!