That has been a question asked by many people for many years. There has been many remedy ideas thrown around and very few of them I have had good results with. Moth balls, Hot pepper powder, shooting water, all these things don’t give good results.
We have two issues going on; Lora’s problem is the neighbor’s dogs are coming over and killing her bushes. Other people have their own dog’s killing their bushes.
Dogs are creatures of habit. My operations manager at my garden center was/is a dog trainer for the last 24 years and I asked him what solutions he had for this problem. He gave me the answer of training them to not use the bushes as a bathroom. If the dog is yours and you have lots of time to train, then using a shock collar or a citronella collar works well. Every time you let the dog out, you watch for him to hike and then you shock. If you are consistent, then the dog will start associating the bushes as a bad thing and will stay away. The citronella collar, instead of shocking will put off a mist of spray, and dogs hate citronella scent.
Now, for Lora’s problem of neighbor’s dogs. She obviously cannot use a collar on those dogs, so what are her options? Well, according to my friend, she needs to invest about $40 in an above ground electric fence. They are designed for dogs and you set them up around the perimeter of the shrubs. Let the dog pee on an electric fence and I would say that after the second time, your problem will be solved. Remember, dogs are creatures of habit, once he associates peeing on that bush as painful, he will not come back. Then you can remove the fence and sell it to a neighbor to get your money back!!
#1 by Jennifer Milele on June 22, 2009 - 2:07 am
Quote
good to know about the citronella. i have a problem with my own dog. I bought some granuals (to keep pests away) and sprinkled around my shrubs and flowers, we will see. I may have wasting 10 bucks. I watered this afternoon, now the granuals are absorbed in the mulch.
#2 by Greenbean7 on November 5, 2009 - 4:20 pm
Quote
Tacks. I know that sounds too simple, but it works. Lay a dozen or more tacks near the bushes. Not so close that the dog doesn't have to step on them to hit the bush but close enough so you don't step on them. It only takes a couple times walking on tacks to make them start to avoid the area. Also safer then an electric fence if you have children around.
I trained my male dog to squat. He doesn't know about this lifting the leg thing and he's six years old. When he was a pup, and most of the time even now, he is on leash to pee. He goes in the hay field or in the gravel drive. He will also go on asphalt if there is no gravel and no way to wait for a better place. You have to start them early and be consistant. The only time he was near a fire hydrant it scared him! Big scarey thing! Silly puppy!
#3 by getreal people on January 19, 2010 - 9:23 am
Quote
I had my dog permanently catherized. He wears a bag around his neck that I empty when it becomes full.
#4 by KevinPigg on January 21, 2010 - 1:10 pm
Quote
That sounds very cool. Do you have any pictures?
#5 by Animal Friendly on February 16, 2010 - 11:48 pm
Quote
what? are you friggin nuts? you must be an awful nasty person and I bet you have no friends you freak. You should be catheterized AND Neutered so there are no more of your kind allowed to repopulate this world.
You are a nut bag weirdo and I feel sorry for your dog and any animals that you have.
#6 by KevinPigg on February 17, 2010 - 12:52 pm
Quote
I am not understanding your concern. I am not damaging the animal. It only takes a few days of repetition and a dog will respond forever. It is just like spanking a child. You are not hurting them, you are addressing a specific issue in a specific manner. Never in anger and never in front of others, always calm, collected and intentional.
If you have a better method of training, please let me know and I will post an addendum!!!
#7 by Friend of animals on August 6, 2011 - 4:22 pm
Quote
Oh good lord. That person did not catheterized his dog. Use your brain.
#8 by Orbit Sprinklers on May 17, 2011 - 11:22 am
Quote
This is a very interesting article! This last trail of comments is uniquely disturbing. Thanks for the post!
#9 by KevinPigg on May 19, 2011 - 2:37 pm
Quote
Yeah, sorry, I left it cause I thought they should have a voice also.
#10 by Australian Dollar on August 22, 2011 - 8:34 am
Quote
Fair enough Kevin – I gotta respect that. But I have to say, I was also a little disturbed by the lengths some people go to for the sake of convenience, without regard to the welfare of the dog. Dogs are highly intelligent animals and are capable of emotional distress.
Getting back to the original topic though, I would suggest raised garden beds. Aside from the potential to be more aesthetically pleasing,
I've heard from a couple of different sources that these can also help to avoid certain pests. And the dog can only lift his leg so high
#11 by ShockBuck on September 9, 2011 - 9:24 am
Quote
Where can I buy one of those above ground electric fences? I am tired of my neighbor's dog killing my shrubs. This is for a little rat terrier, I'm not trying to kill the dog, just teach him a lesson.
#12 by KevinPigg on September 15, 2011 - 6:57 am
Quote
I have seen them at all of the chain stores in the outside fence section.
#13 by mark on September 12, 2011 - 4:46 pm
Quote
good post, yeah the key is to training your dog
#14 by Jude Walter on October 13, 2011 - 1:48 am
Quote
I agree with Mark. I believe that proper training is the answer to the problem. If the dog is well trained on where to properly pee, then there would no longer be any issue.
#15 by Damien on October 14, 2011 - 10:49 pm
Quote
My neighbor has made cute wood dog carving that say "don't pee on me". It does discourage people who are walking their dogs from letting them pee on her plants. But it only works for dogs that can read.
#16 by Joe on November 2, 2011 - 12:11 pm
Quote
" I would suggest raised garden beds. Aside from the potential to be more aesthetically pleasing…"
In my opinion, this is the most sensible solution. Building a barrier around you landscaping with stone, rocks, etc. creates a natural barrier that won't take away from the beauty of your lawn, and the dog will be prevented from urinating on valuable shrubs without being shocked.