There is nothing more gratifying than growing your own garden and for pet owners, seeing your furry friend playing outside while you garden just adds to the joy. But sometimes, the two can’t coexist.
As a proud dog owner and dedicated gardener, I understand the challenges of keeping my furry friends from using my garden beds as their personal playground. As much as we love our dogs, they can be quite destructive when it comes to our precious garden.
The good news is there are a few tricks gardeners can use to keep dogs out of your garden without compromising on aesthetics. Here are some tips for keeping dogs out of your garden.
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Create A Designated Play Area
Sometimes, dogs simply want to play where their owners are. One of the keys to keeping dogs out of your garden is to create a space where they can play and relax without being tempted to dig or chew on your plants.
By providing an alternative play area in the yard, your dog will be less likely to play in the garden.
Designate a specific area of the yard as a place for your dogs to run and play. Set up obstacles, such as tunnels, hoops, or hurdles, to keep them entertained and burn off excess energy.
Make sure they have plenty of shade and water, as well as a place to rest. With a designated dog area, your garden will be less likely to become their playground.
Use Scent Deterrents
Most dogs have a sensitive nose and are deterred by strong smells. There are a variety of natural and commercial scent deterrents available that can be used to keep your pup out of the garden.
For example, you can use citrus peels, cayenne pepper, placing citronella candles, mothballs, or even human hair to make the garden unappealing.
You can also plant natural herbs such as sage, rosemary, or lavender, which have a strong and unappealing scent to dogs.
Additionally, some pet stores carry products that emit an unpleasant odor to dogs but are undetectable to humans. Keep in mind that scent deterrents may need to be reapplied regularly.
Bonide Go Away! Rabbit, Dog, and Cat Repellent Granules have consistently worked best to keep dogs and cats out of specific areas for us. The only drawback is that we have to reapply after it rains.
Another option is to use essential oils, which can be mixed with water and sprayed on plants to keep dogs away.
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- Citrus Essential Oil: Dogs generally dislike the smell of citrus fruits like lemon, orange, and grapefruit.
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil: Eucalyptus has a strong scent that can deter dogs from your garden.
- Cinnamon Essential Oil: While pleasant to humans, dogs find the smell of cinnamon overpowering and generally avoid it.
- Rosemary Essential Oil: The strong, distinct smell of rosemary essential oil can be used as a natural deterrent for dogs.
- Peppermint Essential Oil: Peppermint has a strong and fresh scent that is unappealing to dogs.
Motion Sensors and Scare Devices
Motion-activated sprinklers, ultrasonic sound emitters, and other scare devices can be effective in keeping dogs out of the garden.
These devices work by emitting a loud noise or spraying water when they detect movement, which can startle and deter dogs from entering the area. However, keep in mind that these devices may also affect other animals, so use them with caution.
We use the Broox 2024 Upgraded Solar Animal Repellent – Waterproof Motion Triggered Ultrasonic Animal Repellent to keep stray cats out of our yard. Cats drive our dogs wild, and our dogs will trample every plant in their way while chasing them.
The dog setting worked initially by startling our dogs. But after a while, they got used to it. So it would probably work for a front yard to deter passing dogs from trampling flower beds.
Motion-activated sprinklers can be a great way to deter dogs from entering your garden. These sprinklers release a sudden burst of water when they detect movement, startling the dog and encouraging them to stay away. This option is not only effective but also safe for both your pet and your plants.
Plant Strategically
Consider the plant choices in your garden. Choose plants that are hardy and can withstand some playful paws on the edge of your garden.
Incorporating herbs like parsley, mint, lemon balm, and chamomile into your landscape can act as a natural repellent to your furry friend.
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Additionally, placing your plants in raised beds or containers can help protect them from your curious pup.
Train Your Dog
One of the most effective ways to keep your dog from ruining your garden is to train them. If you have a new or particularly playful pup, make sure to supervise them when they are outdoors and redirect them to designated play areas.
Use positive reinforcement with treats, praise, and toys to encourage them to stay away. Reward them for positive behavior and discourage digging or other unwanted behavior.
Blue Buffalo BLUE Bits Natural Soft Moist Training Dog Treats – Our dogs are very food-motivated, and these are some of our dogs’ favorite treats.
Consistency is key to effective dog training, so be patient and persistent.
Create Pathways
Dogs are known for their love of exploration and adventure, but when it comes to landscaping, they tend to stick to the pathways. Have you ever wondered why this is?
Well, there are actually several reasons why dogs prefer to stay on the paths. First and foremost, dogs are creatures of habit, and they become familiar with the path over time.
Additionally, the path is typically paved or compacted, which provides a solid, stable surface for their paws.
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Dogs are also creatures of comfort and tend to avoid rough or rocky surfaces, which are commonly found in garden beds.
Lastly, dogs have an innate sense of boundaries and tend to recognize the path as a designated area for walking and exploring while acknowledging the garden beds as off-limits.
By creating pathways in your landscaping, you can provide a safe and enjoyable area for your furry friends to explore without damaging your precious garden beds.
Create Physical Barriers
If your dogs simply won’t stay out of your garden, consider installing a fence that separates their play area from your garden beds. As a gardener, you know the importance of fences and borders for your plants, but these can also be used to keep Rover out of the beds.
One option is to use low fencing or hedging materials, such as boxwood, to block off vulnerable areas. If you have larger dogs or need more security, then taller fencing with gates may be necessary.
We use the Amagabeli Garden Home Green Decorative Garden Fence to keep our dogs out of new garden plots. Since our boys are big we went with the 32 in x 20 foot panels.
There are many types of fences to choose from, including wooden, vinyl, chain-link, or even decorative wrought iron. A fence will not only protect your garden but also keep your dogs safe and secure within their designated space.
Place rocks around the perimeter of your garden to create a natural border. You can also use chicken wire or mesh to create a barrier around your plants. This will help prevent your dogs from getting close enough to damage your plants.
Dogs and gardening don’t have to be mutually exclusive. With a little bit of training and some garden modifications, you can have a flourishing garden alongside your beloved pup.
Whether it’s carving out a designated play area, adding physical barriers, using scent deterrents, training your pup, or strategically planting, there are plenty of ways to keep your garden safe and sound.
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Remember always to prioritize the safety and happiness of your furry friends while maintaining the beauty and functionality of your garden.
Happy gardening!
