How to Use Art to Stop Dogs From Digging up the Yard

Artistic, dog-proof yard

You don’t have to turn your yard into a barren wasteland with hardened earth to stop dogs from digging it up. You can go full force against the problem with flair if you use art to stop dogs from digging up the yard. Artwork can range from store-bought garden pieces to stuff you make yourself from debris found in ditches or at the salvage yard. Whatever you come up with, as long as it stops dogs from digging, is fine and dandy. Tap into your imagination and follow some simple steps to use art to stop dogs from digging up the yard while giving you a gorgeous gallery right outside your home.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet metal
• Random artwork
• Chicken wire
• Other mesh materials
• Wire
• Pliers and snips

Instructions

1. Surround plants with decorative fencing. Fencing doesn’t have to be made of ugly barbed wire, chain link or a putrid combination of both. Make your own mini-fencing by cutting low pieces of sheet metal you find in a salvage shop. Paint the metal with a rust-free paint and position the strip of metal around the base of the plants. The sight of a mini-fence around a tree is going to make the dog think twice.

2. Deter with statues. If your dogs are big on digging giant holes in the middle of the lawn, they are actually helping you out. Now you know where to place a decorative statue. Install a hefty statue made of stone or marble right on top of the area that’s been dug up. Now your dogs will have a toy to run around. If they still dig at the base of the statue, surround it with the mini-fencing.

3. Wrap areas in chicken wire. If large garden or floral areas are being dug up, make a veranda around them with chicken wire. You can cover the top of the veranda with wire as well, or just make the chicken wire tall enough that dogs won’t try to jump it to get in. Metal stakes will secure the framing of the wire in place as you wrap the entire area in its chicken-wire boundary. Paint the wire funky colors and hang small sheet-metal art, wind chimes or weatherproof knickknacks randomly around the wire so it looks like a gallery alcove.

4. Install decorative spikes. Yes, spikes can be beautiful, especially if they keep dogs away from the base of tall plants and trees. Make a circle of spikes at least 2" away from the trunk to act as a barrier. Spikes can be found in hardware and houseware stores or in salvage yards. Rebar works well if you don’t want a spiked end. Paint the bars bright colors and feel free to hang artwork from them.

5. Mulch with colorful rock chunks. If the digging is severe in larger, soft dirt areas, cover the entire area with stuff dogs don’t like to dig in--like rocks. Pick several colors or one bright one. You can use thin metal strips secured into the ground lengthwise to keep different colors separate, or to create a picture or design. Dogs like to dig in dirt, not in rocks. This should be enough to have them looking for something else to do.

Tips & Warnings

• This method of deterring digging not only keeps the dogs away from the dirt, but can turn your yard into a funky wonderland.

• Watch the spikes and sharp objects. You want to deter the dogs, not injure them.

• All sheet-metal edges should be bent under with a pair of pliers, or sanded down so that they are not likely to cut you or your animals.

• Secure artwork with wire or any of an array of fasteners that are available in your hardware store’s fencing or plumbing section.

• Sheet-metal pieces are available in different size and shapes. You may be able to find circular pieces that you don’t have to cut, but which fit cozily around the stems of the plants you are protecting.

• You may be tempted to use wood or plastic, but don’t forget that dogs like to chew on them. Make sure the pieces are big and heavy enough that the dogs leave them alone.

• Make fencing and other barriers tight enough that a dog can't stick his head inside them and get caught.