Untrained pets and strays can be quite troublesome in the garden. Curious dogs, especially those with the natural instinct to hunt, can dislodge delicate plants, topple fragile pots and containers, or make an absolute mess by digging through soil and burying all manner of things.
It’s not always possible to keep a close eye on dogs, even if they are our precious pets. Many a seasoned gardener has witnessed the trampling of slow-growing seedlings and the unfortunate burial of low-growing herbs! If you’re dealing with an adventurous canine, particularly one that views your entire yard as a site of sport and play, you might wish to protect some of your valuable plants. If you have a pond, you definitely won’t want your dog drinking its water and frightening the fish!
Mechanical barriers, like mesh or wooden fences, should effectively keep dogs out of vulnerable patches and water features. Unfortunately, these may ruin the visual appeal of an ornamental or wildlife garden. So, what’s a potential method for keeping dogs out of some parts of the garden without compromising its overall appearance? Canines have an extremely sensitive sense of smell, so growing strongly-scented plants may work.
Be warned, however, that even the most offensive scents may not deter the most persistent of hounds and hunters. Though the plants below can be grown as natural deterrents to dogs, keep in mind that they are not always reliable.
1) Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Widely cultivated in many countries with mild climate conditions, lavender is lauded for its stunning inflorescences, fragrant essential oils, and pharmacologically important phytochemicals. A welcome addition to just about any type of garden, particularly those experiencing dry and sun-exposed conditions, it is associated with a wealth of benefits. While the blooms and fragrant leaves attract beneficial insects, they also deter various pests.
As lavender is a strongly-scented herb, its dense stands may produce an aroma that is intense enough to repel exploring mammals. Dogs may find themselves sneezing and turning their snouts away from rows of lavender bushes, especially if they are unfamiliar with the plant. There’s no guarantee, however, that it will repel the most curious pups. Those that find themselves in a goose chase may readily run through lavender fields, undeterred by their scent.
2) Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
The most scent-sensitive canines will likely choose to do their business away from blooming marigold bushes, which can emit an overpowering scent. Of course, just one or two well-established marigold plants won’t do the trick. There has to be enough of them to create a pungent scent cloud that wafts through the garden. Grow them as bushes around ponds, vegetable patches (as companion plants), and flower beds.
When they are tightly yet evenly packed together, mature marigold shoots should also be dense and leafy enough to obstruct the line of sight of small dogs. Large dogs, however, may simply jump over the bushes or forcefully storm through them. You can grow marigolds to help mask the scent of favorite canine targets, like frogs and cats, but avoid relying on them completely as deterrents.
3) Pepper plants (Capsicum spp.)
Pepper plants are commonly cultivated for their fruits, which are famous for their hot, spicy, or even sweet taste profiles. Packed with capsaicin, a compound that is known for inducing a tingling or burning sensation, the fruits help protect the plant from various grazers and pests. Domesticated dogs and cats are likely to avoid the fruits, especially if they’ve experienced their burn! Those that have never encountered peppers, however, may be naïve enough to come close. Once they get a strong whiff of capsaicin, they are likely to back away.
Apart from using intact pepper plants to repel dogs, you may also crush the pepper fruits and spread their seeds and flesh around the flower beds you wish to protect. In the absence of fresh fruits, store-bought pepper powder and pepper flakes can be used. Incorporate these into a homemade, water-based spray. Avoid using copious amounts of cayenne pepper; if your dog inhales the powder, he/she may experience serious respiratory irritations.
4) Scaredy cat plant (Coleus caninus)
The scaredy cat plant is named for its supposed ability to repel cats. A member of the Lamiaceae or mint family, it produces leaves and blooms that may feel somewhat sticky. These emit a strong odor that can be likened to that of the oils of other mint or eucalyptus plants. When the leaves are damaged and the plant’s natural oils can seep out of the plant, a more intense scent is produced. It’s safe to presume that the scent helps protect this species from potential pests and grazers.
While the repellent effects of C. caninus are not documented in scientific research, it can’t hurt to grow a few stands to test their effectiveness. Dogs may either completely ignore the scent or find it repulsive enough to stay away. As a bonus, this herb’s colorful blooms should attract various pollinators and help diversify your garden.
5) Common rue (Ruta graveolens)
Common rue is known for the distinctly strong scent of its highly textural foliage. Occasionally used as a component of incense, the leaves are packed with a phytochemical-rich essential oil. Its alkaloids, which give it a bitter taste, help protect the plant from leaf-eating insects and grazers. Though the leaves are safe to consume in very small doses, a large amount can cause digestive issues shortly after ingestion. Mammals, even those that rely on the nutrients of foliage to survive, will instinctively avoid this plant’s leaves.
If you intend to grow rue to repel dogs, do be cautious about the adverse effects it may have on them if they consume the leaves by accident. Avoid using it as the first line of defense. It would be best to situate its stands in hard-to-reach areas, from which the scent of its leaves can waft throughout the garden.
6) Citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus)
Expanses of citronella grass are generally avoided by many scent-sensitive animals. When a large amount of leaves is harvested or damaged, the smell given off by the exposed oils can be overpowering. A few tufts of this grass are unlikely to deter curious dogs in a garden setting, however. While, in theory, the smell should make them think twice about coming too close, it is unlikely to stop a dog from chasing a mouse that attempts to zip through the leaves.
Still, if you find that stray dogs or some of your neighbor’s pets have been using your garden in unfavorable ways, it wouldn’t hurt to grow a few pots of this grass. As a bonus, their scent should help repel mosquitoes and flies as well. Use the pots to create a border that would challenge their entry. You may plant this grass directly into bottom substrates, but keep in mind that it may grow aggressively and compete with species outside of its native range.
7) Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Dense rosemary shrubs, which grow increasingly woody as they mature, can be used to deter dogs in two ways. First, the plant can be consistently harvested to allow its fragrant oils to seep out of the leaves and stems. The scent should make visiting canines wary and, hopefully, cause them to reconsider entering your garden or forcing their way past your plants. Second, rosemary shrubs that are planted close to one another can function as a mechanical barrier.
Dogs tend to find the scent of rosemary leaves repulsive. The bitter taste of the leathery and needle-like leaves also seldom appeals to herbivorous mammals. Nonetheless, if your pets have grown up with this plant around, it’s highly unlikely that it would stop them from wreaking havoc in the garden. You may need to complement rosemary’s natural repellent effects with other mechanical methods of protecting your delicate plants.
Should Plants With Thorns Be Avoided?
While thorny plants can be incredibly effective at keeping unwelcome animals out of the garden, especially if they are incorporated into a living fence, they can cause severe injuries. Domesticated dogs may lack the instinct to avoid thorny plants. They may attempt to rush through spindly bushes as they play or chase critters.
Thorns, even small ones, may pierce through their paws or skin and lead to irreversible injuries. These can result in infections that may require medical treatment or professional help from your local veterinarian.
Should Toxic Plants Be Avoided?
Although many toxic plants are great for repelling unwanted animals and pests, they may not be the best options for domesticated pets. Many of today’s modern dog breeds may lack the instinct to avoid potentially toxic fruits and foliage. Some curious dogs may even enjoy chewing on bitter, toxic leaves. Before you know it, they may begin to suffer from dangerous symptoms of poisoning. If your beloved dogs spend a lot of time in the garden, growing toxic plants to protect vulnerable ones may not be worth the risk.
Creating Living Fences
Instead of growing fragrant and bitter-tasting plants to keep dogs out of your property, it might make more sense to create living fences. Many non-toxic and low-maintenance species can be cultivated as natural barriers. The plants listed below tend to have woody shoots once they are mature. Trees that produce branches extending from their base may also be effective.
When packed close to one another, these should be sturdy enough to block the path of dogs. Larger dogs would, of course, need to be repelled by taller and thicker living fences. Avoid using thorny plants or those with serious safety hazards (like rose bushes, agave, and cacti). Shrubs with tapered leaves can be used as long as they are not sharp enough to cause injury.
- Boxwood shrubs (Buxus)
- Holly shrubs (Ilex)
- Junipers (Juniperus) – note that the berries of some species may possess a low toxicity profile.
- Dog-safe berry shrubs (e.g. black hawthorn, blueberry bushes, mulberry bushes)
Other Tips for Repelling Dogs
- Use a natural, vinegar-based spray around patches of vulnerable plants.
- Use motion-activated sprinklers to scare away unwanted visitors.
- Install fences made of natural wood or plant products (e.g. thick bamboo stalks) that would blend in with the rest of your garden’s features.
- Install signage to discourage your neighbors from allowing their dogs to enter your yard.
- Create sturdy barriers, ideally without large gaps, made out of various sizes of boulders. This may be a great way to keep small dogs out of the pond.
