Shrubs and dog digging

13 years ago

I haven't a clue where to post this!!! If there's a better spot, please let me know. My back yard is fenced in, I have 2 dogs that aren't puppies (over 5 years old) but still are diggers. There's select shrubs only they insist on digging. I can't figure out why, must be something in the soil. Unfortunately, the ones they choose are nice big evergreens, and their holes go deep. The plants thus far have survived. I'm done with the metal fencing, that was just a pain. What can keep my "girls" from these spots? Large flat rocks, like stepping stones? My back garden gets so abused, my front garden is packed. How to you plant with active dogs... other than standards, etc??? Again, this may be wrong area, and/or just something that I can't work with.........

Amy

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Comments (5)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
bury an electric fence line.. and confine them to the grass only ... since apparently. you cant teach old dog new tricks ...

ken
Laurel6123
13 years ago
You can't bury electric fence line-it'll short out and do nothing.

Flat rocks that are heavy enough they can't move would be an option, I have a digger as well that I'm trying to discourage.

I'm not sure how well it's going to work, but in my bed that borders my foundation, I've installed chicken wire, pegged in with weedbarrier staples, and laid mulch over the top to cover. If that fails, my next step is galvanized hog panels trimmed to fit and laid flat, same principal, just heavier 'barrier'.

It was done this last weekend, so I dont know how well/long it will last, but that might be an option.

Other than continually trimming Charlies nails, which isn't an option, I don't know what else to do.

Good luck!
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
the neighbor simply took a handheld circular saw ... and cut a groove and stuffed the dog line into it [we have sand, and that might be a big part of the equation] ...

i never quizzed him on it all.. but that dog does not leave that yard ... perhaps all his connections are above ground ..

or maybe i dreamed it all ... lol ...

its doable ... but i have never done it myself ..

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link
User
13 years ago
Kens right, that is what I use.
Buy a lead, the neighbor next to me used 2 clothes line poles and put a lead between them. then they can run the yard between the poles. It works.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i seem to recall..

spraying a few plants with bitter apple ....

and then spraying the dogs mouth with the spray ... kind of a peanut butter licking reaction ...

and then leashing the dog .... and walking the dogs inside the perimeter.. and letting them smell teh plants with the spray..

it didnt take long for the dog to understand where he wasnt supposed to be ... and if he regressed.. another spray in the mouth ...

insure the product is safe for such .. mine was ... talk with your vet ...

in other words.. a little training should work.. if you can invest the time.. if you dont have the time.. then you have to use the checkbook for the fencing ...

ken