Can a dog and landscaping live in unity?

hbwright · 04-08-2008, 11:20 AM

Frustrated doesn't begin to describe me right now. I redid the pond and now working on the landscape. I have one little tiny area of the yard that I want OFF LIMITS!!! No eating my brand new, 2 foot tall iris', no eating my floaters, no eating my parrots feather, no digging dirt and mulch into the pond to cover your poop, which by the way is no where near the pond.

I was installing a new filter this morning, not paying any attention to the dog and I look over to find an empty bog where my taller iris used to be. No iris to be seen. There is Jordan under the slide where he likes to hide his finds while he commenses to tear them to shreds. All I have now are iris tubers to start over from scratch, only one single blade remains on my smallest tuber. He also tore apart my watercrest and numerous water hyacinth.

I'm bound and determined to let my dog be able to stay in the backyard while I'm out there working or even when I'm inside working while still allowing myself to have this one area of the yard to decorate as I see fit.

So, I got some short decorative fencing, about 20' tall, easily able to be stepped over, but I don't want him to step over it. What would be the best, most reliable way to train him that this 20" barrier is to be regarded as a 20 foot fence and in no way, shape or form is it acceptable for him to step foot into this area.

I know he can be trained to maintain a command when I am out of sight. We do this with food. I can put his food in front of him, walk to get the mail and come back and he'll be sitting waiting for a release to eat. He won't even eat if my neighbors come and feed him without a release (kind of feel bad about this one because they didn't realize he needed to be released to eat and he never did get to eat because they thought he just wasn't going to eat for them). He'll also maintain a sit/stay or down/stay with me out of the room waiting for a release when I come back. He'll also leave it with about 90% of the objects that we practice leave it with. All, except for the pond parts or landscaping. Those particular things make him completely ignore his training and my authority. He isn't even reliable in his drop it when it comes to these things and only these things.

I really need help because after the iris fiasco this morning, I'm ready to go out and get an electric fence for my landscaping and I do not want to have to resort to this, mostly because of the expense of the system, but then again, I can't keep having to empty the pond to clean out all the mud and mulch that he throws in there and having to replace plants, which ultimately pays for the fence.

Please, please, please help me.

DobeMomToo · 04-08-2008, 12:07 PM

I've got Dobes and am married to a 4th Generation Nurseryman and landscaper. Hubby planted this great mound with maples and some very neat low plants that just facinated our one female. We did the following:

Purchase a "Scarecrow." Worked for the dog that LOVED the mound because it put the squirrels that ran the fence more within "mouth" range! We started with the Scarecrow on full operation, then kept lowering the water. Ultimately we got to just leaving it in the mound with no water on as the product gives off a sound too when activated. Ultimately we were able to remove it completely. It took about 3 months.

If digging becomes a problem -- sprinkle Ceyanne Pepper on the ground. This also works really well if you have cats in the neighborhood using your planting areas as their litter boxes.

Hope that helps!

**LuvMyDobes** · 04-08-2008, 12:20 PM

LOL I took my fish pond out when my BT couldn't stay out of it. I was afraid he would drown. Sweep is quite the gardner too. She loves to bring the mulch inside! Thanks for the Cayenne pepper tip for digging DobeMom2. I am going to try it.
Carolyn

hbwright · 04-08-2008, 12:23 PM

I think I'm going to try the cayenne pepper sprinkles around the border with the fence. He adores water and that would excite him more than anything. He sees the hose and he can't control his excitement. The cayenne pepper may do the trick though.

kimmy80 · 04-08-2008, 12:29 PM

What about mulch and rocks? Anyone have problems with them eating that? I know I do. That and my Rose of Sharon is nothin but a couple of sticks now.

**BackInBlack** · 04-08-2008, 12:39 PM

I used to have like 6 or 8 crepe myrtles in my yard. They have all been munched to the ground. I have just stopped planting stuff. I use my front yard to plant stuff and it looks great. My back yard looks like a bomb went off.

DobeMomToo · 04-08-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuvMyDobes

LOL I took my fish pond out when my BT couldn't stay out of it. I was afraid he would drown. Sweep is quite the gardner too. She loves to bring the mulch inside! Thanks for the Cayenne pepper tip for digging DobeMom2. I am going to try it.
Carolyn

Absolutely! Not only does it make them sneeze, but if they are paw lickers, they get a little reminder later. I always wonder if they wonder why the dirt tastes bad there. *LOL*

So far, most that have used it to stop digging says it's worked for them. If you have a Costco around, or Sam's Club, they may have it in large quanities. And if it rains you will need to reapply it!

DobeMomToo · 04-08-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimmy80

What about mulch and rocks? Anyone have problems with them eating that? I know I do. That and my Rose of Sharon is nothin but a couple of sticks now.

Try the Ceyanne in the mulch and rock area too. It won't taste quite so good. Although, I did have one Dobe that loved the Tabasco we put on her short crop lead. Go figure!

lanabana · 04-08-2008, 01:13 PM

I do not have one blade of grass in my backyard anymore, not one single solitary blade of grass (oh....I used to have such a beautiful lawn)....so I can't give advice, but I can surely sympathize.

DobeMomToo · 04-08-2008, 01:18 PM

Another alternative for plants that our pooches like to eat is a product called "Liquid Fence." We use the deer repellant at our Mountain Property, and I can tell you my girls don't even want to be around when it's sprayed. Heck, neither do I!!

They also have one that is specific to keeping Dogs and Cats away. Never tried it, but worth looking into.

Here is the link to their repellants section: Liquid Fence