Looking for ways how to keep dogs out of flower beds? We got you. We have listed 10 effective ways to stop dogs from messing up your bed safely while still allowing them to roam freely in the yard. Plus, 3 DIY dog repellants that you can easily make at home!
Why are Dogs Attracted to Flower Beds and How To Keep Dogs Out of Flower Beds?
It’s definitely the compost that you buried underground. Dogs love the earthy smell of fresh compost and mulch. In fact, they will put a lot of effort into trying to access this stinky stuff. They will dig it up if they can and will eat it if they have the chance.
So, if you’re composting your food wastes, make sure that you are doing it properly. There are enough browns and greens and they’re placed in alternate layers. Also, make sure that the compost is mature or ready before adding it to the soil.
Apart from that, the aesthetic of flowers and their lovely smells attract dogs. Often, when dogs have a strong affinity for flowers, it creates an uncontrollable desire in dogs to munch on them. These can be risky if the plants contain toxic chemicals.
This said I will share with you 10 ways How To Keep Dogs Out of Flower Beds. But before that, you must know which flowers are toxic to dogs so you can assess whether it’s good to plant or remove a flower from your garden beds.
Which flowers are toxic to dogs?
Flower poisoning in dogs can be fatal and if your dog has no pet insurance, its treatment can cost around $250 to $5,000. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a flower and is showing symptoms of poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately. Better yet, visit an emergency vet for immediate treatment.
In the meantime, here’s a list of flowers that are toxic to dogs:
- Azaleas
- Amaryllis
- American Bittersweet
- Clematis
- Dahlia
- Daisy
- Lilies
- Carnation
- Narcissus
- Daffodil
- Rhododendron
- Begonia
For the complete list, check out greenmatters page.
1o Ways on How to Keep Dogs out of Flower Beds
Now that you know the flowers that are toxic to dogs, it is time to find out the ways to keep dogs out of your flower beds. It is important to note, however, that what works for others might not work for you. So, be patient, read on, apply, and see what works best.
Train your dog.
Training your dog to stay away from your flower beds is basic boundary training. To do this, you need to show your dog the boundaries of the garden like where he is and is not allowed to go or how far he can go. This takes a lot of time, energy, and patience but is beneficial in the long run especially if your dog is still a puppy. If you’re unsure of how to implement this, check out this guide.
Build a fence.
Building a fence around your flower beds is another way to keep your dog off of your flower garden. This is the most practical option if you do not have the time to train your dog or you want to keep the flowers that pose a hazard to your dog. What is great about fences is that it also keeps your neighbor’s dogs off of your garden. The only downside is that it can be very expensive. If you have the budget, you can opt for invisible fences.
Grow barrier plants.
Or you can start growing barrier plants like cactus, agave, blackberry, or any tall, thorny plants that thrive in your area to stop dogs from stepping on your flower beds. Dogs hate these inconveniences when roaming around the garden. Also, this is a cheaper option than fences but works just the same. What’s great about this is that it attracts pollinators and like raised beds, it minimizes soil erosion.
Use dog repellants.
Dog repellents especially those that contain citrus, chilly pepper, herbs, and other strong-scented ingredients are proven to work well. We do not know exactly why but the majority of dogs do not like the taste of citrus nor the smell of chilly peppers and herbs. They avoid places and things that have these smells. If you decide to use dog repellants, you need to make sure that it does not contain harmful chemicals.
Switch to raised garden beds.
Switching to the raised garden provides many benefits besides keeping dogs out of your flower beds. The most important one is it provides better growing conditions for plants by minimizing soil erosion and stopping weeds from growing without the use of harmful chemicals. It also makes gardening easier, especially for those with physical problems like arthritis, back pains, neck problems, etc.
Make a “keep dog off” sign.
If it’s your neighbors’ dogs that are the problem, then you need to let them know that your flower beds are a no-dog zone. You can do so by creating signage and pitching it in your front yard or any spot where it is visible. What’s good about this is instead of you, it puts the responsibility on dog owners who allow their pets to roam freely in public and private spaces.
Mix hair with the soil.
This is the simplest and easiest way to keep your dog from messing with your flower beds. The theory behind this is that, when dogs sniff the hair, it sticks up and irritates their nose and causes them to sneeze. This then stops them from messing your beds up. To do this, sprinkle the beds with your hair clippings. You need to make sure that the clippings are spread evenly.
Use a motion-activated sprinkler.
Using a motion-activated sprinkler can also effectively save your flower garden from destructive dogs and other wandering animals that visits your flower garden to look for food. It’s very safe and won’t cause your dog and other unwanted visitors any harm. When they pass in front of the sprinkler, the sprinkler gets activated releasing a torrent of water at high speed.
Make a play area for your pooch.
We know for a fact that dogs do freaky things often because they have nothing else to do. Creating a dog playground or play area where dogs can dig, chew, and be a dog addresses this. It keeps dogs occupied and entertained and your flower gardens safe and protected. It can also help with dog training and managing dogs’ unruly behavior. If your dog is still a puppy, a dog play pen is a good option.
Use coffee grounds.
Word is that dogs do not like dried coffee grounds. The smell of it freaks them out. So, if you don’t like your dog hanging around your flower beds, sprinkle your bed’s coffee grounds or any coffee products. You can also sprinkle it around your flowers and plants to give them a fertility boost. If your dog senses this, it will immediately leave your garden and will look for something else to do.
How To Keep Dogs Out of Flower Beds-DIY Dog Repellants
Dog repellants made from natural ingredients can be your best approach to keeping your dog off of your yard. They’re low-cost, readily available, and easy to make. Plus, they can also be good for your plants! Commercial dog sprays or store-brought dog sprays are equally effective however they might harm your dog and plants. If you opt for the commercial ones, make sure to read the label first before purchasing.
Vinegar
Dogs do not like the smell of vinegar so you can spray it around the beds and other areas in the garden that you want your dog to avoid. We do not recommend white vinegar or any standard vinegar as this might kill your plants. It is best that you use low-acidity, horticultural-grade vinegar. You can spray it every day but make sure you’re only spraying an adequate amount.
Spicy Repellant
Peppers are powerful dog deterrents. Their strong and spicy scents make dogs go crazy. It is not poisonous to dogs but it can severely irritate their eyes, nose, and throat. If you want to try this in your garden, use peppers that are hot enough like black and cayenne pepper. We recommend mixing it with flour and dry mustard powder. Also, make sure that the pepper is finely crushed before adding it to your garden or mixture.
Citrus Peels
Dogs also have a strong dislike for citrus fruits like limes, lemons, and oranges. This makes citrus a good dog deterrent ingredient. In fact, they are one of the best as they work very well even in small amounts. They’re easy to make and very potent on their own you won’t be needing extra ingredients- zest peels and citrus juice will do. It is important to note, however, that citrus is toxic to dogs so you gotta be careful with this one.
How To Keep Dogs Out of Flower Beds-Final Verdict
Keeping your dog out of your flower beds can be a daunting task. The digging, munching, chewing, and tearing is a lot to tackle especially if that involves your plants and flowers- that you have It takes patience and repetition, and most of all, consistency to get it done. But, when you see it as something that could help your dog develop good manners and a mutual bond, it will make the task more enjoyable.