Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
I have a fenced in backyard that is next to a public area, and have noticed some erm..not so nice smells in my backyard. They are coming from dogs and their owners who decide next to the outside of the fence (on public property) is a great place for their dogs to do their business. FWIW I'm talking about #1 not the messier #2s..
Anyway, I don't really care what this part of my yard looks like from my side of the fence, but do care about how it smells. I've lived here for 5 years and only recently noticed dogs starting to use this area, I suspect because they smell each other's scent and decide to claim the property.
Is there anything I can do on my side that is cost-efficient, safe to dogs (I just want them to go someplace else, not die..) and doesn't break the bank? I've been reading that they hate citrus and ammonia, so maybe some lemon scented ammonia liberally applied on the fence should do the trick?
Anyway, I don't really care what this part of my yard looks like from my side of the fence, but do care about how it smells. I've lived here for 5 years and only recently noticed dogs starting to use this area, I suspect because they smell each other's scent and decide to claim the property.
Is there anything I can do on my side that is cost-efficient, safe to dogs (I just want them to go someplace else, not die..) and doesn't break the bank? I've been reading that they hate citrus and ammonia, so maybe some lemon scented ammonia liberally applied on the fence should do the trick?
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Similar problem. I've been thinking of putting something like cayenne pepper or similar as deterrent. Don't want to harm them just deter. Be interested to see others suggestions
"The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan"
- quantAndHold
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Maybe cayenne pepper or something. But keep in mind that anything you put out will need to be reapplied regularly, as it either evaporates or the rain washes it away.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
You need something that will make the dog owners walk further away from your fence and take their dogs with them. Maybe put some fresh manure along your fence line? Or turn that area into a mud pit. Some dogs like to roll in dead fish which their owners really do not approve of, so tossing dead fish back there will keep owners from letting their dogs go near that stuff.
Oh, one more thing that works in our neighborhood: Put out a free doggie poop bag dispenser. No dog owners around here go near those things.
Oh, one more thing that works in our neighborhood: Put out a free doggie poop bag dispenser. No dog owners around here go near those things.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Age old, tried and true method: lawn chair and a hose.
Lazier version… motion activated sprinkler.
Lazier version… motion activated sprinkler.
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Cayenne pepper doesn't work. Tried it, no impact.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Get your own small, feisty dog and train it to chase after the other dog?
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
lololollivesoft wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 7:12 pm You need something that will make the dog owners walk further away from your fence and take their dogs with them. Maybe put some fresh manure along your fence line? Or turn that area into a mud pit. Some dogs like to roll in dead fish which their owners really do not approve of, so tossing dead fish back there will keep owners from letting their dogs go near that stuff.
Oh, one more thing that works in our neighborhood: Put out a free doggie poop bag dispenser. No dog owners around here go near those things.
A classic!!!!
j
- Sandtrap
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Motion activated water sprinkler.
Avail. Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-Enforcer-A ... 4309&psc=1
Although some dogs, water dogs, might love it.
j
Avail. Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-Enforcer-A ... 4309&psc=1
Although some dogs, water dogs, might love it.
j
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Re: sprinklers: My dog loved to attack sprinklers that were going full blast. Whenever he ate some fresh cat poop, I would make sure he got his mouth washed out by either seeking out sprinklers that were going or just running the sprinklers in my yard. If you have your own sprinklers, then you know the gurgling sound that the water makes for a second or two as it fills the underground pipe before the water actually starts spraying out. My dog would freeze in his tracks whenever he heard that sound and swivel his head around towards the source. He would take off and hit the first sprinkler head as it popped up out of the ground. He had the surprise of his life on a golf course dog park when an industrial strength blast of water knocked him about 10 feet in the air.
Last edited by livesoft on Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
I Googled this about deterring dogs:
Woof
Maybe an idea or 2
Woof
Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered you will never grow. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
There is nothing you can to stop dogs from peeing on your fence. Don’t try to reason with them. Their perspective is different than yours.
They want to share their awesome scent with you. Why wouldn’t you want your fence to smell as good as their awesome pee? Then you would know who has visited your fence. Forget changing the dogs. It’s a lost cause.
Work on changing their owners’ behavior. You can put up a sign. Something like, “please do not let your dog pee on my fence. You leave, but the odor from their urine lingers in my yard.”
Any dog owner who reads a sign asking an owner to not let a dog pee on the fence, and who is not an @@@hole, will not let their dog pee on your fence. If that doesn’t work, plant some hearty native weeds or trees as far out as necessary from the fence on the public land, away from your yard. The dogs will eventually pick the first tree or weed he finds and you won’t have to worry about training the dog owner.
They want to share their awesome scent with you. Why wouldn’t you want your fence to smell as good as their awesome pee? Then you would know who has visited your fence. Forget changing the dogs. It’s a lost cause.
Work on changing their owners’ behavior. You can put up a sign. Something like, “please do not let your dog pee on my fence. You leave, but the odor from their urine lingers in my yard.”
Any dog owner who reads a sign asking an owner to not let a dog pee on the fence, and who is not an @@@hole, will not let their dog pee on your fence. If that doesn’t work, plant some hearty native weeds or trees as far out as necessary from the fence on the public land, away from your yard. The dogs will eventually pick the first tree or weed he finds and you won’t have to worry about training the dog owner.
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Perhaps your town will give you permission to plant something in the public strip of land that will deter dogs. For example, tall grasses or (thorny) knockout roses.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
I was thinking maybe spread a layer of some kind of mulch along the fence that could help absorb the smell on impact.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
You should not mess with or put anything like chemicals on a public strip of land. The previously mentioned sign on your fence is a decent idea.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Post some signs with this theme:
“We care about your safety”
Heavy tick presence in this area
Ticks can carry Lyme disease.
…..Who want to pick ticks off there dog?
“We care about your safety”
Heavy tick presence in this area
Ticks can carry Lyme disease.
…..Who want to pick ticks off there dog?
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Have had some success with commercial sprays but dogs have the ability to tough it out. The best way to solve your problem is putting vinegar in a spray bottle and applying it as a preventative measure. Cheap, effective solution. Good luck.
- unclescrooge
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Put motion activated sprinklers. Aim for the humans, not the dogs.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Agree on the signage + plants by the fence. Thorns seem a bit extreme. Just pick something big enough where the animal will pee on the plant instead.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
+1 for this. We were in subdivision that wasn’t our neighborhood walking the dog over Thanksgiving and someone had a sign that said to please keep your pets off the landscaping on public property (the sidewalk in front of their house). Even though it was public property, we respected their wishes and kept our dog off.Pancho wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 8:11 pm There is nothing you can to stop dogs from peeing on your fence. Don’t try to reason with them. Their perspective is different than yours.
They want to share their awesome scent with you. Why wouldn’t you want your fence to smell as good as their awesome pee? Then you would know who has visited your fence. Forget changing the dogs. It’s a lost cause.
Work on changing their owners’ behavior. You can put up a sign. Something like, “please do not let your dog pee on my fence. You leave, but the odor from their urine lingers in my yard.”
Any dog owner who reads a sign asking an owner to not let a dog pee on the fence, and who is not an @@@hole, will not let their dog pee on your fence. If that doesn’t work, plant some hearty native weeds or trees as far out as necessary from the fence on the public land, away from your yard. The dogs will eventually pick the first tree or weed he finds and you won’t have to worry about training the dog owner.
I know you won’t get everyone but I do agree you gotta deter the owners, not the dogs. Hopefully your place isn’t next to an off-leash dog park then that’s a whole different ball game.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Putting up a polite sign is a simple solution that will fix most of the problem.
The suggestions to aim sprinklers at people/dogs that are on public land is a really bad idea. It may be illegal. It may provoke a person into some really bad behavior.
If you have any property on the other side of the fence, plant some hardy, low maintenance shrubs as a barrier.
The suggestions to aim sprinklers at people/dogs that are on public land is a really bad idea. It may be illegal. It may provoke a person into some really bad behavior.
If you have any property on the other side of the fence, plant some hardy, low maintenance shrubs as a barrier.
52% TSM, 23% TISM, 24.5% TBM, 0.5% cash
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
When I was showing dogs, I always was amazed by how much male dogs could pee. In the parking lot before entering an indoor show, I would have to stop at least 3 or 4 times because my male dog had to pee to mark various areas, usually tree trunks, fire hydrants or 55 gallon trash barrels. And he'd always save some for the next encounter. Imagine how much pee scent is around with a typical entry of 1000 male dogs. And I still laugh when I think about the signs inside the show. (Dog shows usually have multiple vendors inside selling pet products). The signs usually read "If he pees on it, you're buying it"
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
My father-in-law uses an air rifle, but he lives out in the country...not sure you could do that in an HOA community.
- lthenderson
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Probably not an option but try planting Xanthium, commonly known as Cockleburs. They are very difficult for owners to remove from the fur of dogs and they stick easily to the fur of dogs. I spent many an hour pulling cockleburs from my dog over the years.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
No, he only does that on his own property
- quantAndHold
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Please don’t do that. The burrs get everywhere, not just where you want them, and the dog can walk for awhile before they get embedded in their feet badly enough that they start limping. When my dog picks them up, I usually have no idea where she got them. But I do know that it’s painful for both dog and owner.lthenderson wrote: ↑Tue Nov 30, 2021 9:57 am Probably not an option but try planting Xanthium, commonly known as Cockleburs. They are very difficult for owners to remove from the fur of dogs and they stick easily to the fur of dogs. I spent many an hour pulling cockleburs from my dog over the years.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Very enthusiastically approach the dog walker, pamphlets in hand, asking if they've heard the Good News.
Semper Augustus
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
In some rural areas there's a lot of paranoia and rage, seems to be a self reinforcing norm some places, people are even perversely proud of it sometimes. Better not to get into it too much here though. There are rural/farm areas where people wouldn't do stuff like that, not normal people anyway, I can't see that happening in farm area where my daughter lives. The OP situation is suburban and yeah involves public property so even spraying water is a bad idea as was noted. Actually OP didn't even say the dogs pee *on* the fence but "next to the outside of the fence" and there's nothing you can do about that if there isn't a public ordinance prohibiting it in that particular place. Putting a sign on the fence to ask owners not to let dogs pee *on* the fence is fine, effectiveness unknown. We live in a very urban area. People sometimes put up 'don't let the dog pee' signs around flower/plant beds along the sidewalk but in general if you worry about where dogs pee you need to go somewhere else.
- Jimbo Moneybags
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Some of the "vigilante" type suggestions that OP take actions that could potentially harm, harass or intimidate persons or domestic pets on public land are unwise. However, the OP specifically noted that they want to do something on their own side of the fence to deal with the odors.
To the OP. If you are able to, and if it is permissible, you may wish to treat the offending area with baking soda or lime (lawn lime) and then water it in liberally. You may need to do that on a regular basis. That will dilute the urine, neutralize the odor and may cause the pets to seek another area to go. You may also want to consider planting some pleasantly fragrant shrubs or perennials on your side of the fence.
To the OP. If you are able to, and if it is permissible, you may wish to treat the offending area with baking soda or lime (lawn lime) and then water it in liberally. You may need to do that on a regular basis. That will dilute the urine, neutralize the odor and may cause the pets to seek another area to go. You may also want to consider planting some pleasantly fragrant shrubs or perennials on your side of the fence.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Contact the city or whomever supervises the public area. Ask them to help. I agree, maybe a vine growing over the fence (assume its pickets not metal). Ammonia sprayed along the bottom might help. but then you smell ammonia.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
May not be an option but a row of bushes on the public property just on the other side of your fence, so that the dogs mostly pee on the bushes instead of directly on your fence.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Is it just me or that I really can't smell dog pees outdoor? I definitely can smell horse pee in downtown Charleston.z91 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 6:56 pm I have a fenced in backyard that is next to a public area, and have noticed some erm..not so nice smells in my backyard. They are coming from dogs and their owners who decide next to the outside of the fence (on public property) is a great place for their dogs to do their business. FWIW I'm talking about #1 not the messier #2s..
Anyway, I don't really care what this part of my yard looks like from my side of the fence, but do care about how it smells. I've lived here for 5 years and only recently noticed dogs starting to use this area, I suspect because they smell each other's scent and decide to claim the property.
Is there anything I can do on my side that is cost-efficient, safe to dogs (I just want them to go someplace else, not die..) and doesn't break the bank? I've been reading that they hate citrus and ammonia, so maybe some lemon scented ammonia liberally applied on the fence should do the trick?
I don't think there's much you can do since it's the public area outside your fence. Maybe if you run into dog owners, just have a little friendly chat with them and voice your concern. I believe in using direct communication in these kinds of issue.
Time is the ultimate currency.
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
livesoft wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 7:12 pm You need something that will make the dog owners walk further away from your fence and take their dogs with them. Maybe put some fresh manure along your fence line? Or turn that area into a mud pit. Some dogs like to roll in dead fish which their owners really do not approve of, so tossing dead fish back there will keep owners from letting their dogs go near that stuff.
Oh, one more thing that works in our neighborhood: Put out a free doggie poop bag dispenser. No dog owners around here go near those things.
Ooooh! Dead Fish
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Grow something on your side between the pee and your yard (might help adsorb the smell). I know that kennels have anti urine sprays that help clean the areas, neutralizing the smell. That would probably be ok to spray on the pee area even if in the public area (it should be safe for animals). Even watering the area might be enough to dilute the issue.
No experience with this but this might work: https://www.chewy.com/simple-green-outd ... /dp/160845
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
This is all controlled by the dog owners. You could spray or move something to where the dog owners would stand when the dog would do his #1 business on your fence. I did that with dog #2 business which they delivered into my plantings at the road and further in. I hated to step into dog poop when mowing the lawn. I moved that #2 to where the owners would stand (at night). I did that a few times and finally it stopped, owners got the message.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Had some success with the dog/cat repellant sold at home improvement stores. It does need to be reapplied, but it broke the 10pm habit of a neighborhood cat.
For the dogs, my DW mentioned it to the owner that we have leash laws... when the reply was "you must be mistaken, it wasn't us"... she let him know it was captured on video by our doorbell-cam. Never had a problem after that conversation.
For the dogs, my DW mentioned it to the owner that we have leash laws... when the reply was "you must be mistaken, it wasn't us"... she let him know it was captured on video by our doorbell-cam. Never had a problem after that conversation.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
+1 direct communication works.zincTwo wrote: ↑Tue Nov 30, 2021 2:30 pm Had some success with the dog/cat repellant sold at home improvement stores. It does need to be reapplied, but it broke the 10pm habit of a neighborhood cat.
For the dogs, my DW mentioned it to the owner that we have leash laws... when the reply was "you must be mistaken, it wasn't us"... she let him know it was captured on video by our doorbell-cam. Never had a problem after that conversation.
Time is the ultimate currency.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
The idea of a motion activated sprinkler is interesting. You just need a camera that sees through the other fence - and a sprinkler that shoots water over the fence when the camera is activated. You would have to watch for leaks and turn the water off during cold periods to protect your outside pipes. If I was walking my dog - I would learn to avoid this area for sure.
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Frankly, I see too many owners use other people's lawns as their dogs dumping grounds. The fact that this particular situation involves "public property" doesn't matter to me as the OP is affected by it (and perhaps others). Just another "as long as it's not in my backyard" issue. And perhaps also so their dogs wastes impacts their immediate neighbors less. Win-win for them.
I like the people who use the poop bags, but then leave them behind. Disposal is for little people.
Most people are courteous dog owners, but it doesn't even make the Pareto threshold. And that's a problem.
RM
I like the people who use the poop bags, but then leave them behind. Disposal is for little people.
Most people are courteous dog owners, but it doesn't even make the Pareto threshold. And that's a problem.
RM
I figure the odds be fifty-fifty I just might have something to say. FZ
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
The smell of dog urine attracts other dogs to pee over it. It's a cycle that keeps going. I suggest hosing it down. Then spray the area with a vinegar and water mixture. Neutralize the smell as much as possible so the dogs skip over this area when they search for that perfect spot to pee.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
1. Not just you, I rarely notice the smell of dog pee outside. There is one, dogs notice it obviously but I don't much.H-Town wrote: ↑Tue Nov 30, 2021 11:45 am1. Is it just me or that I really can't smell dog pees outdoor? I definitely can smell horse pee in downtown Charleston.
2. I don't think there's much you can do since it's the public area outside your fence. Maybe if you run into dog owners, just have a little friendly chat with them and voice your concern. I believe in using direct communication in these kinds of issue.
2. I think 'not much you can do' is the basic answer and the main exceptions stuff you'd do on your side of the fence to mitigate the impact on you if there really is one. I'd note again OP did not say the dogs are peeing on their fence (which most posts, not necessarily yours, seem to assume) and definitely not dog poo which a few posts nevertheless assume is the topic. As for talking to people I think it's fine depending on one's own approach to things and the nature of the people and the area and one's sense of it. But as with the anecdote of somebody who shoots other people's dogs with air rifle, there's a lot of paranoia and rage boiling beneath the surface with a lot of people now in various places which one has to think about in confronting strangers, even politely and about fairly innocuous stuff.
- dratkinson
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Hmmm?z91 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 29, 2021 6:56 pm I have a fenced in backyard that is next to a public area, and have noticed some erm..not so nice smells in my backyard. They are coming from dogs and their owners who decide next to the outside of the fence (on public property) is a great place for their dogs to do their business. FWIW I'm talking about #1 not the messier #2s..
...
Is there anything I can do on my side that is cost-efficient, safe to dogs (I just want them to go someplace else, not die..) and doesn't break the bank? I've been reading that they hate citrus and ammonia, so maybe some lemon scented ammonia liberally applied on the fence should do the trick?
Paint the outside bottom of your fence with conductive paint.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=transpa ... tive+paint
Charge it from a solar fence charger.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+e ... ce+charger
Post a sign asking neighbors to not let dogs pee on "...invisible rabbit-deterrent electric fence". Let the fun begin.
Search: https://www.google.com/search?q=dog+pee+electric+fence
Last edited by dratkinson on Wed Dec 08, 2021 8:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
d.r.a., not dr.a. | I'm a novice investor; you are forewarned.
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Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Plant a poison ivy vine.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
That won't deter the dogs. It will only deter observant owners, which might not be the majority of them.
Re: Deterring dogs from doing their "business" next to my yard?
Hire a mime to perform there during peak dog walking hours. Or encourage a homeless person to sleep there.