How to keep dogs out my lawn?

[fleurdelys]

Ok, I'm planting a flower garden in a section of my lawn. Things are going great except that my dog keeps going over there, digging up holes and "marking his territory" (so to speak hehe). I found a recipe for keeping dogs out (made out of garlic powder, vinegar, chili paste and water) but it seems that he's gotten used to the smell so it doesn't work anymore. It's really a small space so putting up a fence around it won't work either. Any ideas?

[sakura]

Cripes, that's tough. I guess you can purchase some sort of spray or something to keep him out. I read something called "Liquid Spray," which is made out of natural ingredients that can keep most animals out. My cousin brought one to keep deers away from her garden but I know there's one for dogs & cats.

[gardengirl]

Once your dogs get used to that nasty mixture you could try this idea. Prune your rose bushes, cut the trimmings into short bits, and scatter these over your beds. Dogs and cats will quickly learn that your new prickly beds aren't a fun place to be. Any prickly bush ould work such as hawthorns and holly bushes.

[Luna]

Originally Posted by gardengirl

Once your dogs get used to that nasty mixture you could try this idea. Prune your rose bushes, cut the trimmings into short bits, and scatter these over your beds. Dogs and cats will quickly learn that your new prickly beds aren't a fun place to be. Any prickly bush ould work such as hawthorns and holly bushes.

That's a great idea! I think the dogs will soon get it in their minds that their fun's over.

In the long run, I guess it's best to try and change the mindset of the dog about your little garden. Train them so that they'll know that you mean business and you don't want them there. Or, you can probably set aside their own place in your lawn where they can go roll around and you won't mind. Good luck!

[cosmic_girl]

Holly, yucca and barberry are also naturally thorny plants that can help ward off the dogs and other animals that come sniffing at your little garden.

[sakura]

Hmm, I saw this product called "Pet Training Potty Rock" the promises to eliminate the problem of dog urine and droppings. The way it's advertised is that you can place them in an area where it's ok for your pets to relieve themselves. The product is scented and is guaranteed to attract the pets even if there are bushes or plants nearby. After a while, your dogs will get used to relieving themselves on that spot even if the "rock" isn't there anymore.

A friend of mine has tried it, and he said it helped him train his dog. You can give it a try and see how it goes. It could be an alternative if you can't really (or don't want to) plant thorny bushes.

[fleurdelys]

I never thought there would be such a product like that potty training rock! I know some chemical repellants and sprays (none of which worked with my dog, unfortunately), but if this rock works, then it would be worth it!

Thank you for all your suggestions. I'll try the shrubs first, and see how that goes. I'd rather not spend too much for a product I'm a bit unsure about so I'll go with the natural and cheaper ways first.

[gardengirl]

I have heard that you can put down chicken wire and dogs don't like the feel of it on their feet so eventually they'll stay out. you can also try giving the dog a vigorous spray of the garden hose every time he goes near the garden. My dog really hates the smell of citronella so squirting that may help, too.

[fleurdelys]

Would that be like surrounding my plot with chickenwire buried underneath the soil? I'll probably give that a shot, as well as the citronella. I'm just not so sure about the garden hose as I'm not often around when the dog decides to visit the garden, and he's actually likes getting wet...

[leehydro007]

Originally Posted by fleurdelys

Ok, I'm planting a flower garden in a section of my lawn. Things are going great except that my dog keeps going over there, digging up holes and "marking his territory" (so to speak hehe). I found a recipe for keeping dogs out (made out of garlic powder, vinegar, chili paste and water) but it seems that he's gotten used to the smell so it doesn't work anymore. It's really a small space so putting up a fence around it won't work either. Any ideas?

I have heard that Dogs hate the smell the smell of mothballs. Just put them around trees and in the flowerbeds and hopefully you will be done.