How to Train Your Dog to Stay Out of the Garden
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Introduction
It's easy to understand why your dog might want to get into your garden. Just think of the enticing smells, the prospect of a delicious flower or fruit to nibble on, and the ever-present temptation to dig. Your everyday, run-of-the-mill garden might as well be a garden of forbidden treasures!
Not only can your dog wreak havoc on neatly tilled soil and rows of raspberry bushes, but many common garden plants can be toxic if ingested by your canine bestie.
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Defining Tasks
Whether through physical barriers or by making the garden seem boring in comparison to something better, the following training methods are designed to keep your dog out of your garden, once and for all.
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Getting Started
Try to keep training sessions short, between 5-10 minutes, so that your dog trains only when he is alert and interested. Until you can be sure that he won't sneak into the garden, make sure to be present while he is outside to prevent any slip-ups.
You will need:
- Treats
- Pots
- A deterrent substance such as cayenne pepper or vinegar
- Flags or colored tape
- Your dog's favorite toys
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The Barrier Method
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Keep out!
Possibly the simplest way to keep your dog out of your garden is to make it hard for him to get into in the first place.
Put up a fence
Putting a fence up around your garden is the most straight-forward way to make it inaccessible. Sometimes even a short, simple fence will be enough to prevent your dog from trampling your tulips. If you're growing something truly tempting, a higher, sturdier fence might be necessary.
Grow a barrier
A barrier of tall or inhospitable plants planted around more vulnerable plants will also serve to keep your dog out, while also potentially adding to the beauty of your yard or plot.
Consider pots
Consider keeping your plants in pots of various heights and sizes instead of in a plot of dirt. This can eliminate any temptation your dog may have to start digging.
Use a safe deterrent
Make your garden smell or taste unappealing to your dog by using a dog-safe repellent. Sprinkling cayenne pepper or vinegar around the garden's edge should do the trick. Be sure that you are using something that is non-toxic for dogs.
The Fun Space Method
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Start early
This method works best if Fido never comes to see your garden as one of temptations. From the get-go, the garden should be off-limits.
Don't say "no"
Reprimanding your dog or shooing him away from the garden might teach him to seek attention by misbehaving. As a rule, instead of punishing bad behavior, find a way to reward good behavior. This is the most effective way to train.
Give your dog his own space
Set aside a part of your yard that your dog is allowed to play in. This is a space where he is allowed to roll on the grass, play with his toys, and maybe even dig.
Play up the play space
When your dog tries to get in the garden, call him over to his space instead. Use an excited tone of voice and hand gestures. Entice him with one of his favorite toys. When he comes over, treat him. Do everything to make his space special.
Be consistent
Until you can trust that your dog has come to favor his space over the garden, don't leave him in the yard alone. Stay outside with him and call him back to his space whenever he approaches the garden. Reward him with play and treats when he chooses his space over the garden. Soon he'll lose interest in the garden altogether--his play space is where it's at!
The Boundary Method
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Use what you know
This method of training works best when your dog has good recall, as with a command like 'come' or 'heel'.
Mark the boundary
If your garden doesn't have an obvious boundary you might want to consider marking it for training purposes. with something like small flags or a line of colored tape.
Reward good behavior
If your dog approaches the boundary, call him to you with his recall command. Reward him immediately with a treat he loves.
Gently correct
If your dog crosses the boundary, gently correct him with a short, sharp sound such as 'ah-ah!' or 'tsk.' Be careful not to yell or sound angry.
Remove the boundary markers
Once your dog comes to associate the boundary to the garden as a no-go zone, you can remove your boundary markers.
Written by Michelle Anne Olsen
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 01/19/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
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