Does anyone have nice easy ways to keep dogs from digging up beds? I planted some lovely bulbs last year and they were beautiful until the pups dug ‘em out. They really like digging holes.
I’d cover the ground with some chicken wire, maybe something with slightly bigger holes (I don’t know how big a plant your bulbs will produce), and cover the wire with a little mulch (covering is not necessary but looks better). I had one particular spot in the back yard that one of my dogs used to love to dig in and I covered that spot with a cow panel (fencing with approximately 5”x5” squares) that kept him from digging for awhile. The next season I was able to remove the piece of fence and he still thinks that he can’t dig there.
I pulled out my “bible” and found the following:
Jerry Baker’s Dog-Be-Gone Tonic
2 cloves garlic
2 small onions
1 jalapeno pepper
1 tbsp cayenne powder
1 tbsp Tabasco
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp dishwashing liquid
1 quart warm water
Finely chop garlic, onion, and jalapeno and combine with the rest of the ingredients. Let it “marinate” for 24 hours, then strain. Spinkle resulting liquid on any areas where dogs are a problem.
The two things that have worked for me: 1) Give them a nice soft place of their own to dig. When they dig inappropriately scold and show them "their" digging place. 2) "Mommy loves it". Show great care and concern as you plant the bulbs. "These are mommy's bulbs". "Your job is go guard mommy's bulbs", etc. It doesn't matter what you say, its your tone of voice and your obvious concern. Most dogs will try to protect what you value.