We just got a dog, a large adult poodle, who doesn't dig, but who chases squirrels through the beds. What is the best way of keeping out dogs? Do the low wire fences work?

They will just hurdle the fence.
I have a yellow lab, the apple of my eye and a PIA when it comes to keeping her out of the gardens.
The Mr just had her outside and she dashed in one garden, almost knocking him off his feet and dislocating his shoulder (she was leashed) all to chase a rabbit out. I thought this would be great and scare the rabbits. No way, now I have two species trashing the gardens. I have found no great way to confine her other than the house. She does well on a chain as long as no other dogs pass within a hundred feet of her yard. If that happens, dog, stake and chain are all gone and I am off on a dead run to head off disaster.

What kind of dog do you have? I'm guesssing a small one since that doesn't seem like very much space. Does she have a shady spot to lie down? Have you tried only letting her out when you can keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't dig? I think there also might be chili pepper sprays that are supposed to keep dogs and cats off plants (you spray the plant not the pet :) )

My dog used to dig too but she quit after getting scolded a few times. Now we just let her have her own digging spot. She just digs herself a nice hole under a pine tree in the shade and lies there and watches us do yard stuff.

I put up chicken wire around my backyard garden areas. Not the most attractive, but it keeps my dogs out. I have had to drag them out of the garden a few times, and they knew I was mad, but 99% of the time they stay out. I'm actually amazed it works as well as it does for them. I'm not sure if that would be a good solution for you or not. Just passing along what worked for me..

I'd like to add my two cents worth....I have two large retriever-type dogs, plus the neighbor's even larger dog that essentially lives at our house (that's a completely different gripe). All three dogs know that they are not allowed in the flower beds. On the other hand, I give in a little. For example, there is a "short-cut" through the strawberry patch that would have been impossible for me to train them to stay out of. Solution was to put stepping stones on the path they use. They go through the strawberry bed, but only on the stepping stones. I firmly believe that dogs and gardens can go together, but only if you think about what the dog needs and incorporate that into the garden, then train the dogs.

Best wishes,
Ann

Of course, having said that, the first two summers of these dogs lives I had many many battles with them over plants, digging, etc. They always won. Then they grew up and started listening to me :)

Maybe that's my problem. My girls are almost 2.5 years old. They are much better then they used to be, but sometimes the husky in them just can't help but dig and get into general mischief. I think mine view the strawberry/raspberry patch as the perfect place to go looking for rabbits. Without the chicken wire I don't think I could keep them from "exploring" in there..

Whenever we get a new dog in the form of a puppy (and thank goodness that doesn't happen often), I run an electric single strand wire around my flower beds. This is easy for me to do in some areas because I run a hot wire from the pasture fence to the garden fence. They do sell relatively inexpensive electric units for garden purposes.

The electric wire is a wonderful training device. It only takes one time getting a hit from the fence for the dog(s) to learn the boundary. I keep the fence hot for about a week or so and then only occasionally turn it on as a reminder for the rest of the summer. The second spring, I run the wire again in case they have forgotten flower bed boundaries. I then take the fence down and the dogs forever more do not trespass into the beds.
Another interesting plus is the beds to which I can not run a hot wire...I just run a wire with no power. It has the same effect as a hot wire. Amazing how quickly they learn to respect the wire, hot or cold.

I do use a regular fence around my shade beds under the trees. Squirrels make dogs crazy and it is just expecting way too much to think they are not going to run to the base of the tree to get the durn critter.
Jan

I can't do it- can't look into those big eyes and stay mad.
{{gwi:1049788}}

Awwww! But no one says you have to stay mad!

Ann

My dog took out a few tulips the other day. I didn't say much. She was chasin after that DARN bunny!!!

Mine did the same , I just sighed and cut them for a vase inside....

I know this is an old subject...but I just found it....and that Huski is beautiful....what a sweet face..I love dogs.....cats too.....looks just like one of my neighbors Huskies..Riggs....he is a doll....anyway I was just going to say about the same as using the electric wire..... Invisable Fencing can be put around gardens too....but then the dogs do have to wear the colar...and those are expensive...I think you can buy the do your own electric fencing around town and it's ALOT ...cheaper...than the Invisable Fencing that is..I have seen it at Sams Club.....we have two very headstrong...beautiful.... Finish Spitzes..a male and a female...they behave like cats and don't listen to a thing we say and training has been a total failer...so I just always keep them contained...and or on a leash.......they are a red dog that looks like a fox....and believe me they are wonderful, loving ...comical...dogs....but a real handful if you know what I mean.......we use the Invisable fencing all around the property up at the lake.....and it is wonderful.it can even go out into the water...which my dogs only go up to their chests since they do NOT like water...my daughter has 2 dogs too...so we have 4 dogs running around up there......and at home here we just fenced in the area that they have in the back yard...they can't get in the gardens ...but have an area to run...dig holes...and bark at everything that moves....oh yes...is that Huskie named Koda? one of my dogs is Dakoda....Koda for short........
Michele >^,,^