What to plant around the bottom of the fence, to keep the dogs from digging?

With the new neighbors who moved in, we have now have dogs on either side of the two fence lines we share with neighbors. 

We want to discourage the digging toward the other dogs under the fence. Burying a shock collar line or an electric fence around the base of the fence won't work because of how our yard is laid out, tree roots, utilities, etc. So not an option. 

I was curious if any of you have had success with planting things that dogs don't like so they will be discouraged from digging? Obviously plants that are non-toxic to dogs. 

Cinder blocks..

My folks use railroad ties and empty threats of violence.

There was one dog they had who learned to climb the chain link though... craziest thing. Parvo got that one.

Dogs have a tendency to dig in the same spot. Usually you toss their poop in there at first to get them to stop. Since I'm reading that they're not your dogs; fill the hole with dish soap and cayenne pepper as they start to appear. Generally that gets them to stop and it won't hurt them permanently if you're not using it in absurd amounts.

Land mines. 

Electric fence.  Make it work.  Chargers are cheap at Tractor Supply.  You just need the smallest one they sell. 

You can also try peeing in the holes. Then they think that you claimed that spot, according to a friend of mine.

I had a dog once, 5/8ths Pit Bull, 1/4 Rhodesian Ridgeback, that figured out how to just push right through a chain link fence.  Wouldn't even slow her down.

The0retical said:

Dogs have a tendency to dig in the same spot. Usually you toss their poop in there at first to get them to stop. Since I'm reading that they're not your dogs; fill the hole with dish soap and cayenne pepper as they start to appear. Generally that gets them to stop and it won't hurt them permanently if you're not using it in absurd amounts.

Nope our dogs as well. I suspect (these neighbors just moved in a couple of weeks ago) but I'd bet over the course of the last year we have put leftover bricks, dirt, etc, in probably 7-8 different holes? Our dogs have dug underneath the other neighbors fence to complete freedom more than once. And twice on the other fence while the other house was empty.

barefootskater said:

My folks use railroad ties and empty threats of violence.

There was one dog they had who learned to climb the chain link though... craziest thing. Parvo got that one.

I saw a video earlier of an alligator climbing a chain link fence, so I'm not the least surprised!

lotusseven7 said:

Cinder blocks..

I don't have a mullet or an IROC on blocks in the yard. 

This is the backyard with a nice privacy fence, at least plants would look "natural" vs some old garbage lining the fence. 

ALSO: Damn we need multi-quote!

I was gonna say land mines, but I got beaten to the line.

Woody said:

Land mines. 

The brand name you can trust is Claymore. Aim away from face.

Appleseed said:

Woody said:

Land mines. 

The brand name you can trust is Claymore. Aim away from face.

Fortunately, they say "Side Facing Enemy" right on them.

Woody said:

Land mines. 

Dang it!  Came here to post this!  Great minds think alike?

Dr. Hess said:

 

I had a dog once, 5/8ths Pit Bull, 1/4 Rhodesian Ridgeback, that figured out how to just push right through a chain link fence.  Wouldn't even slow her down.

Eventually, though, she must've strained herself too much to continue, right?

I fought this with a couple dogs in the past. Best solution I found was to buy 4' chicken wire and run it along the fence line so 2' was stapled to the wood fence with hardware staples, then tent peg the other 2' out onto the ground, placing the stakes about 1 foot from the fence. Worked really well. Light enough wire that it just breaks if you catch it with the mower or weed eater, doesnt get wrapped up. Usually.

This should work.

If not I say go with the fence charger with the wire about 6 inches off the ground.   High enough to cut under it, low enough the dogs won't try to go under it. 

What drhess said. When I was a kid, our dog would get out by digging under or climbing over the fence. My dad electrified the fence way before you could buy the equipment at the local hardware store. After a day of the dog testing the fence, he never went near it again. The fence never had to be turned on again.

z31maniac said:

lotusseven7 said:

Cinder blocks..

I don't have a mullet or an IROC on blocks in the yard. 

This is the backyard with a nice privacy fence, at least plants would look "natural" vs some old garbage lining the fence. 

What type of fence?

Here I would just plant some robust bush that will fill out reasonably quick.  Compact holly maybe, because they are cheap and I already have a bunch.

My concern is A) you don't want something with a berkeleyton of maintenance I imagine.  And B) any bush that does fill out pretty well next to a fence is also going to keep the fence moist in that area and promote mold/rotting.

ProDarwin said:

z31maniac said:

lotusseven7 said:

Cinder blocks..

I don't have a mullet or an IROC on blocks in the yard. 

This is the backyard with a nice privacy fence, at least plants would look "natural" vs some old garbage lining the fence. 

What type of fence?

Here I would just plant some robust bush that will fill out reasonably quick.  Compact holly maybe, because they are cheap and I already have a bunch.

My concern is A) you don't want something with a berkeleyton of maintenance I imagine.  And B) any bush that does fill out pretty well next to a fence is also going to keep the fence moist in that area and promote mold/rotting.

It's just your old, standard 6ft tall privacy fence. 

Holly is out, it's toxic to dogs. Not lethal, but the last thing I want is 3 dogs (one of which is a 75lb pit/lab mix) vomiting and pooping all over the house. 

A. You are correct. 
B. Hmmm, maybe some heavy gravel as the "bed" and plant something a bit away from the fence so the bushes aren't in direct contact? But then that goes back to A.

rustybugkiller said:

What drhess said. When I was a kid, our dog would get out by digging under or climbing over the fence. My dad electrified the fence way before you could buy the equipment at the local hardware store. After a day of the dog testing the fence, he never went near it again. The fence never had to be turned on again.

I tried looking around last night but couldn't find anything. How do you get the hot wire across a gate opening? It's the same 6ft privacy fence, and they have dug underneath the gate before as well. 

Also, even though I'm sure it wouldn't cause a problem, I don't like the idea of running a hot wire RIGHT next to the gas meter in my backyard. It sits approximately 3" from the fence on one side. 

We used the same wire fencing mentioned earlier except we dug the sod out along the fence, layed all the fencing (we cut the 4' fence into 2, 2' strips) flat on the ground up to the privacy fence and covered it back with the sod.  Never know its there until they try to dig, then you just see where the sod is dug up a bit with the wire stopping any real progress. 

I did maintenance for a 157 dog kennel for 13 years

Supposedly Irish Sping soap is supposed to deter them. Did not work for Frosty, he just dug past it, but that dog had some issues and digging was his favorite pastime. 

Other things that I've heard work are prickly plants (cactus, agave, etc.), citrus mixed in with mulch, and plants like onion and garlic as they dislike the odor. But that will vary dog to dog. The dog mentioned above once ate an half of a lemon in one bite then came asking for more, as well as an onion that fell on teh ground... I think onions are supposed to be toxic for dogs but it didn't seem to impact his life at all.

Cactii.

Justjim75 said:

We used the same wire fencing mentioned earlier except we dug the sod out along the fence, layed all the fencing (we cut the 4' fence into 2, 2' strips) flat on the ground up to the privacy fence and covered it back with the sod.  Never know its there until they try to dig, then you just see where the sod is dug up a bit with the wire stopping any real progress. 

I did maintenance for a 157 dog kennel for 13 years

As I mentioned in the original post, burying anything is a no go. Due to utilities and two separate 5x8 concrete slabs that are poured right up against the fence in different areas. I do plan on buying a sledge hammer as my winter workout. lol

Our house sits on the corner, so the little easement between my house and the one to the south has sewer access, the electrical box for the buried lines, cable box for buried lines, etc. 

In reply to mtn and 914Drive :

I bet cactus would work, but I can see our youngest one (he's a complete idiot, like stare into a corner or empty room and start barking at it) getting one in his eye or something like that.