How to Keep Dogs Out of the Bushes

Timbers such as the ones pictured can keep dogs out of bushes.

Homeowners who own pets often have a hard time keeping animals out of bushes on the lawn. Dogs, in particular, like to dig under bushes and can easily damage plant life in their quests to have a good time. Basic discipline is essential to keeping a dog out of the bushes or other prohibited areas, but if a dog won't heed commands, there are other ways to keep bushes safe from a dog's paws.

Things You'll Need

• Bricks
• Chicken wire
• Sod
• Pinecones
• Animal-repelling plants

Instructions

Deter Dogs

1. Prevent dogs from digging in or around bushes by using bricks to provide trim around bushes. This will add a decorative finish to hedges. Attractive stones, which can be purchased at some greenhouses, may also work well at keeping dogs out of bushes.

2. If bricks or stones clash with other yard or garden decorations, consider using timbers to deter dogs from getting near bushes. Timber can be purchased at most home improvement stores. Oak is very durable and probably ideal for use in yards and gardens. Nail together pieces of timber to create a frame of sorts around bushes. Stack pieces of timber to add height to the frame. Beware, though, that while timber boxes may look more attractive to some than bricks or stones, dogs may still dig around or under timber boxes.

3. Lay chicken wire covered with sod around bushes. According to a Better Homes and Gardens article, "Wire effectively discourages digging. ... But it makes future planting difficult." Keep this in mind if you prefer to experiment with the landscape.

4. Sprinkle pinecones around bushes to deter dogs, who find the cones difficult to walk on. Cardboard is another option and may be easier to obtain, but it will easily disintegrate in rainy weather.

5. Near bushes, plant blooms such as Coleus canina, which has worked for some gardeners aiming to keep animals out of gardens. Be sure to plant in the ground and not in pots or the plants' smell may not repel animals successfully.

Tips & Warnings

• Bury the edges of chicken wire very deep in the ground. Otherwise, dogs may be able to pull out the wire.

• Do not surround bushes with thorny plants or pointed forks, as some frustrated gardeners have been known to do. These could easily harm dogs.

References

• Better Homes and Gardens
• Types of Timber
• Cats and Puppies in the Garden