Emily, are the dogs loose or on leashes? If on leashes, you could put up a friendly sign asking people to keep their dogs out of the garden so it can grow and be beautiful for everyone to enjoy.

If they are loose, isn't there a leash law in your area?

Hi socks,

Thank you for your response. I see people with dogs on leashes and without leashes. However, people are just rude. I even talked to a guy in my building that is considered the leading dog walker of Chicago! He was even in the newspaper which explains his background. In any case, he said that people have no excuse for letting their dogs in the garden. He said a sign would actually make it worse because dog walkers then intentionally have their dog stop!
are there any type of fragrances that dogs don't like maybe? I've never had a dog personally. They are cute, just not their poop.

There's a product called Ropel that's supposed to repel dogs and cats. It's granular and you just sprinkle it around. Don't know how well it works, though.

I'd never heard of that but found it online. Interesting. It just seems a shame to have to spend on money that way.

Could you get one of those little wire fences that unroll and you can stick in the ground? I think they are about one foot high.

Are the dogs trampling the flowers, pooping in there, or what?

Here is a link that might be useful: Ropel

If your landlord will allow it, you could get a motion activated sprinkler. Apparently they are very effective -it would likely wet the person on the end of the leash as well, so the human would become motivated to keep the dog out!

You will need to turn off the water supply when working in the garden.

Here is a link that might be useful: Motion Activated sprinkler

My idea is more dog-friendly perhaps. Why can't a special spot also be made for the dogs? Just for dogs. Pee all you want..like they have in roadside stops with little fake fire hydrants? Too much? You could create it at one end of the garden with the least amount of traffic. Just a thought.

Put red crushed peppers around the garden..You can get this from the groc. or a dollar store...they keep the dogs away...