Few things are as frustrating as finding a stray dog peeing on your lawn, which you scrupulously care for. Dogs that mark territory on your property can negatively affect the behavior of your pets. Furthermore, dogs are attracted to each other's smells, so if "souvenirs" start to accumulate, the problem can become unmanageable. However, there are countless natural, artificial and even social solutions that can help you stop the problem in the bud.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Try Natural Remedies
Step 1. Spread baking soda around the garden perimeter
Make a mixture of water and baking soda, about 200 g per 4 liters of water, and distribute it around the perimeter and where the dog has urinated. Repeat this process at least twice a week.
- Baking soda protects plants from damage caused by urine.
- This substance is able to neutralize the smell of urine, eliminating the smell and at the same time blocking the territorial instinct of dogs which is stimulated by the smell.
Step 2. Spray the vinegar around the perimeter
Spread pure vinegar all around the garden to create a sort of invisible barrier that both dogs and cats can't get through. A stray dog can sniff the edge of the garden and walk away, but you need to make sure you spray the vinegar regularly every day if you want this solution to be effective. In addition, you also need to spray it where the dog has urinated.
- Vinegar also acts as a natural herbicide to eliminate various weeds. For this reason, avoid spraying it all over your lawn, as it could potentially harm the vegetation.
- This substance neutralizes the smell, eliminating the stench and at the same time stopping the territorial behavior that attracts dogs to the urine of other specimens.
Step 3. Change the fertilizer
Many dogs have an adverse reaction to the smell of this organic material. Try a new one if pets seem particularly drawn to yours. Dogs are mostly attracted to blood, fish and bones. Try a plant-based fertilizer.
Step 4. Plant lavender or thorny shrubs
Dogs are usually bothered by the smell of lavender, although it is a rather pleasant plant for humans. Similarly, you can grow thorny plants all around the lawn perimeter to create a natural barrier and prevent dogs from invading your property.
Step 5. Use other natural remedies with caution
There are several common home remedies, most notably cayenne pepper, which are known to harm dogs. At the same time, avoid using coffee grounds, mothballs, garlic powder, tobacco, ammonia, and detergents as a deterrent.
Method 2 of 3: Collaborate with Neighbors
Step 1. Be friendly
The first step in preventing dogs from entering your garden is to get the owners to cooperate. Behave in a friendly manner with neighbors. Express your concern about your lawn, without blaming them or their dogs. Ideally, they should start educating their pets to better behave at this point if they understand this can be a problem.
Step 2. Make them understand that your garden is not safe
If it is difficult to find a partnership and you don't mind being insincere, let the neighbors know that you have treated the garden with chemicals that repel other wildlife and therefore can be dangerous for dogs.
To be sure, there are several reasons why this solution is generally not the best. You could trigger a negative reaction and by lying you could compromise your position before the authorities should the situation worsen and go to court
Step 3. Talk to the neighbor
If you know which dog is entering your yard, consider contacting their owner. Be informal; invite him to dinner or a drink. Instead of blaming him, try to assume that he doesn't know the situation and then inform him of the problem. If you are committed to taking action, stop addressing the issue. If you keep complaining, you could aggravate the situation and put any possible deal at risk.
If you can't find an agreement, submit a formal written complaint. Keep a copy so that you can prove to the authorities that you are committed to resolving the problem
Step 4. Report the neighbors
Check if there are any local ordinances or regulations that require the owner to clean where his dog has soiled; in most cases this is the case. Take a picture of the place where the dog has urinated or defecated in your garden and call the competent veterinary ASL to report the infringement.
- You can generally read the city ordinances on the Municipality website. Check if the legislation dealing with this topic is listed on the website of your city.
- Alternatively, you can install surveillance cameras to prove that the dog enters your property. This also comes in handy if the neighbor becomes aggressive, so you can document his bad behavior to the authorities.
Method 3 of 3: Take Stronger Steps
Step 1. Spray commercial dog repellent
Typically this type of product is sold in powder or spray form and can be found in pet or gardening stores. There are a number of smells or fragrances used to ward off dogs, and most of these contain natural ingredients.
Some of these repellents have an acrid smell that dogs don't like. Others actually contain odors, such as predator urine, that scare dogs and make them run away
Step 2. Install motion-sensing sprinklers
These devices are not only designed to water the garden, but also to scare away any animals that try to approach, such as dogs, cats and raccoons. Place a few around the perimeter of the garden or in specific spots where stray animals tend to relieve themselves. When the dog passes in front of the sprinkler, the movement triggers the sensor which triggers a short spray of water. These splashes of water should be enough to scare and scare off most dogs.
Step 3. Put up a fence
Nothing is more effective than a physical barrier to keep animals off your property. Dogs looking for a comfortable place to relieve themselves probably do not want to climb over a fence and choose other places that do not have one. Be sure to keep the fence gate closed and periodically check the entire perimeter for holes made by stubborn dogs.
If you already have a fence, check that it doesn't have any cracks or crevices that need to be fixed. You can also buy an electrified fence, but this is an extreme solution
Step 4. Use an ultrasonic repellent
This type of device is also operated with movement. You can install the mechanism on a shed, tree or fence. When the dog approaches, the sensor activates and emits sound waves and ultrasounds that disturb the animal.
