For homeowners who invest a lot in maintaining a healthy and lush yard, having a dog coming to ruin it is the last thing they want. A roaming dog can perform a number on the grass and beautiful flower beds. Having the neighbor’s dogs pooping in your valued yard can bring a bone of contention with the owners. There are many instances where emotions go high, and arguments arise, leading to severe consequences.
Nonetheless, there is no reason to allow things to get out of control when the neighbors are hesitant to keep their dogs under control. There are various ways to protect the cherished yard without going to the extent of bringing bad blood within the neighborhood.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is an incredibly useful dog restraint as it has vast quantities of Capsaicin. The capsaicin ingredient is often used as a self-defense spray and is specifically intended to repel aggressive animals. Additionally, Capsaicin is usually recommended as an insect and rodent repellent.
How to Apply Cayenne Pepper to the Yard
- Add one part of cayenne pepper to ten parts of water, dissolve the cayenne and pour the water into a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture over the entire yard.
- Sprinkle the cayenne pepper in the specific places where the dog usually poops, such as small shrubs and gateposts bases.
However, cayenne pepper is not always the best solution. As much as it does not harm the dog when swallowed, the cayenne pepper can irritate the dog’s nose, eyes, and genitals. This is why you should be very vigilant when mixing and spraying the pepper in the yard.
Using Commercial Dog Repellent
There are specifically designed dog repellent products that are available in the market. The products help to keep a mischievous and stubborn dog or stray dogs away from destroying the yard. There are two types of dog repellent; liquid and granular. Both repellents work using the same methods and have similar active components.
If you are endeavoring to come up with a boundary area around the wall or yard, granular repellents are the ideal option. On the other hand, if you target specific items or plants in the yard that are inviting to dogs, liquid dog repellents are the best choice. Commercial dog deterrents are available widely across the world. They can be found at a majority of the pet pharmacies and stores. They can also be ordered from Amazon for those who prefer online shopping as there are various sellers online.
The components of the dog repellents vary depending on the brand and type of the repellent. The majority of the ingredients used to make repellents include methyl nonyl ketone, colorless oil with a dominant odor. On average, 1 to 2 % of this concentration is found in repellants. This makes it very resourceful at deterring both animals and insects.
How to use Dog Repellents
The process of applying the dog repellent is very crucial. Therefore, it is vital to go through the instructions in the instruction manual or at the back of the bottle before spraying the yard. When using liquid repellents, spray during dry weather with temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Always be very cautious when spraying the repellent, and be sure to periodically reapply to ensure the repellent stays effective all through.
It takes a while before you can see the result, so you should not quickly get discouraged. It often takes at least a few encounters with the dog repellent before the dog starts to associate discomfort with the yard’s sprayed area. Dogs learn by identifying patterns and will take time before he figures out which part of the yard is off-limits for pooping.
Other examples of dog repellents include;
Ammonia and vinegar
Vinegar and Ammonia are the two most efficient and effective dog repellents found in most homes. When spraying, spread them through the yard in strips, and it would be best not to apply the mixture directly to the plants. While the smell can be overwhelming for humans, it helps the dog to understand that he is doing something that is not allowed. However, please note that overusing vinegar and Ammonia in the yard can damage the grass, so it is imperative to be very careful.
Pros of using vinegar
- Dog friendly
- Eco friendly
- Cheap
- Less scent for humans
Cons of using vinegar
- It can only be used on non-organic surfaces.
- You need to treat the yard repeatedly.
Pros of Ammonia
- Cheap
- Works well
Cons of Ammonia
- Reeking smell that is caustic to human eyes and nose
- Not very Eco friendly
Citronella Oil
The citronella plant is a common mosquito-repelling plant that usually deters animals such as dogs and cats from entering the yard. Citronella oil is derived from squeezing the plant and is sprayed on areas that you do not want the dog to go and poop.
Pros
- Eco friendly
- Pleasant smell
- Requires less reapplying
Cons
- Not very cost-effective
- If ingested, it can cause illness to the dog.
Almond oil
Almond oil is rich in nutrients and vitamins and is commonly known as a dog-conditioning formula as it helps to control shedding and repel fleas. What is not widely known is that the scent of almond oil is very repulsive to dogs. Like other oil-based formulas and olive oil, almond oil keeps the dog far from any surface that is sprayed.
Garlic
Garlic has a strong smell, which is a powerful dog repellent. It is also not toxic and is usually found in home fridges and kitchen cabinets. To apply it in the yard, you need to grind the garlic and mix it with four warm water cups. Sit the mixture for 24 hours, then strain the liquid and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the garlic mixture in areas in the yard where you want to keep the dog away from.
Plant the yard wisely.
If you want to avoid dogs running amok in the yard, you can grow some types of plants that naturally repel dogs from entering the yard. The plants include;
- Lavender– unlike human beings, dogs find the scent of lavender irritating. Most dog breeds find lavender way powerful for their sense of smell.
- Scaredy cat plant– this plant is often referred to as Coleus Canina and is known to have a very tough and deterring smell to animals. Humans, however, cannot easily detect the scent unless the leaves are crushed.
The Bottom Line
The best and most straightforward way to prevent dogs from pooping in the yard is to have a barrier. Commercial repellants, natural plant smells, and homemade ingredients can also be used to deter dogs from pooping in the yard. Ensure the repellent that you use is not damaging to the dog. You can also create a poo zone for the dog and train him to use that segmented area.