Dog Repellents
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Joni MacFarlane
Posted on: June 2, 2000

I’m wondering if you can help me with a problem I’m having with dogs digging in my garden. Is there anything I can plant that would act as a natural repellant? Any type of herb that they can’t stand the smell of, for instance?

Calendula is said to repel dogs according to Louise Riotte in her book "Companion Planting for Successful Gardening."

In the "Complete Guide to Pest Control - with and without Chemicals" by George Ware it is recommended to lightly sprinkling the area with cayenne pepper powder or naphthalene flakes or tobacco dust to deter dogs. It needs to be renewed every 5 to 7 days and after heavy rains.

Mr Ware also recommends spraying gargage cans or trash cans with a 1:1 solution of water and Pine-Sol or similar pine scented cleaning detergent to repel dogs.

This could get expensive over time. I wonder what you bury that attracts them? Manure should be well-rotted, kitchen scraps even more so, especially if they contain meat. Many authors advise against meat and bones in compost because of the problem of keeping animals out of the compost heap.

Under your conditions blood meal is probably a no-no.

Lastly a fence might be your solution. It need not be expensive because you are not trying to keep humans out. Electric fence rods and two rolls of 2 foot high chicken wire attached one roll above the other should do the trick. Taking it down in the off season will extend its life.

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