How to keep dogs out of potted plants | 6 Easy Tips
In the days of summer, what better way to spend your time than outdoor gardening? But one pesky animal ruins all of that – “The Dog.”
Dogs love to pull out plants. Getting back into the garden can be hard if they get their hands on them. You know that keeping dogs out is a constant battle.
Apart from the fact that dogs love to steal vegetables, they also tend to pee and poop wherever they please. This means that your garden is likely contaminated with dog poop, which can cause diseases such as Lyme disease. This article will show how to keep dogs out of potted plants and protect your plants.
Why Do Dogs Love to Destroy Plants?
Dogs love to destroy plants because they are digging for food. They find worms and other insects. These small creatures get caught up in their fur and can be eaten very quickly.
The fact that digging uses a lot of energy and is a fantastic form of exercise is another reason puppies enjoy it. Your dog may start digging up plants for fun if he or she doesn’t exercise enough.
Possible Tummy Troubles
Possible tummy troubles can sometimes cause this digging behavior in dogs. If you train your dog with different commands or put obstacles in their way when they dig, this might help reduce the frequency of such behavior. When it comes to hydrangeas specifically, ensure they are properly protected by fencing or other barriers if your dog likes to chew on them. Also, keep an eye out for flowers and vegetables that may get disturbed – these plants need special attention from humans and our furry friends!
To Draw Attention
Plants are often the focal point of gardens, and dogs love to steal them. By digging up plants, they get your attention and can stop being ignored or unwanted. Puppies also like to pee and poop on plants, which can lead to Lyme disease if not cleaned up quickly. If your dog is damaging plants in your garden, take Action!
A Matter of Boredom
Some digging behavior may be due to boredom. If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise and is spending too much time inside, he or she might start digging up things for fun. This can be destructive to plants and other items around the house.
The Power of Emulation
Some dogs may start digging up plants due to the power of emulation. If your dog sees you doing it, he or she may try to copy your behavior. This can be destructive and costly if not corrected early on. To avoid this problem, provide plenty of good-quality exercise for your dog outside so they don’t imitate what they see you do.
Dogs are attracted to smells.
Dogs are attracted to smells because their nose is a hundred thousand times more sensitive than ours. This helps them sniff out potential prey or food sources, stimulating their hunting instincts.
Smelling plants activate the same process and start digging and chewing on what they’ve found. Sometimes we use bone dust, vermicompost, or other animal substances that attract them to dig.
Dogs are natural scavengers.
Dogs are natural scavengers and start digging plants for food if they smell something delicious nearby. To prevent this from happening, keep your dog’s kibble supplies in a separate area and try to feed them fresh meat rather than processed foods that may contain plant-based ingredients.
Plants can smell like a danger to dogs.
Sometimes dogs feel the plant’s dangerous, so they start digging them. To prevent this destructive behavior, ensure your plants are properly cared for and don’t smell like a danger to your dog. Properly trimming plants will also help keep them from becoming too long or greasy.
If your dog starts eating plants, it could lead to dangerous side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, and even liver problems. Make sure you remove any debris or leaves before letting your dog near plants, so he or she doesn’t ingest them accidentally.
They see plants as a potential food source.
Dogs may start digging houseplants to get at the smell of something they see as a food source hidden inside. To prevent this, keep your dog’s food in a separate area and make sure their plant toys are made from safe materials like rubber or non-edible plastic, so they don’t start chewing on plants. Plants can also be harmful to dogs if ingested. ( Dogs Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List )
Encouraging the Behavior
Dogs need to be around other dogs to feel comfortable because they are naturally social animals. When they’re not home, they explore and destroy things that don’t belong – including plants! You can discourage this unwanted behavior without resorting to punishment or force. Another option is to fence in your garden.
This will help keep the dog inside while providing plenty of toys so it doesn’t get boring. Another effective technique to teach your dog without resorting to harsh tactics is positive reinforcement training. By rewarding it when it behaves properly, you’ll encourage the desired behavior instead of punishing the dog for doing what comes naturally to them!
How to keep dogs out of potted plants with these 5 easy steps.
1. Please give them a designated play area outside.
An area of grass or a whole fenced-in yard are examples of this. Make sure the area has plenty of toys, water sources, and nearby places for their owners to watch while playing so they won’t get distracted by something inside the garden.
2. Create fencing to protect plants from dogs.
A sturdy fence will keep dogs and other critters out (and hopefully prevent any accidents) while also providing a barrier between you and those pesky plants! When choosing the right fencing material, confirm it’s high enough so that pets can’t jump over it – plus, include an appropriate gate for ease of entry and exit.
If living in an apartment or rented house, be creative about Fencing is one the best ways how to keep dogs out of potted plants. Using plants or deterrents around the property can work well.
3. Install security cameras
Installing security cameras in your garden is a great way to keep an eye on what’s happening and deter dogs from entering. By reviewing footage, you can easily identify the culprit, if it is a dog or not, and take appropriate action.
4. Positive reinforcement training is a good option.
This form of gentle training employs incentives to promote positive behavior. When your dog behaves correctly in the garden, this can range from vocal praise (“Good work!”) to tiny nibbles or treats. By rewarding them for behaving, you’ll teach them that this behavior is desirable and helpful instead of punishing them for what comes naturally to them!
5. Train Your Dog to “Leave It”
Training your dog not to destroy plants is the best way to prevent them from doing so. Start by teaching them “wait” commands when they are around plants.
When your dog is sitting or lying down, give them a “wait” command and then hand them the toy they were playing with before. If your dog doesn’t enjoy having its toys taken away, try hiding the toy in an area where your dog can’t see it, but you can reach it.
Once your dog knows that you mean business to gardens and plants, you will need to be even more strict about obedience – if they dig in the garden without being told to stop, take away their food for some time (usually two hours). Gradually increase the time if they continue digging.
6. Reward your pet for good behavior
Your dog’s safety must keep them on a leash in the garden. This will prevent them from getting into things they shouldn’t and also stop them from digging up plants or chasing butterflies.
If you see your dog trying to access the garden, take them outside immediately and give them a treat – this will help reinforce good behavior. You can alternatively close all gates and locks while out for walks so that your pet cannot escape (or get into mischief). Additionally, it’s important to keep in mind not to put food available for dogs, including grapes, citrus fruits, etc. These are all harmful if eaten by dogs. If your dog destroys plants, do not punish them. Instead, take corrective action such as training or rewarding good behavior.
How to keep dogs out of indoor plants?
Temporarily fencing your indoor potted plants is one of the greatest ways to how to keep pets out of potted plants. This will keep them away from areas where they can’t see or reach the plants, and if all else fails, use dog repellent to deter your pet. Hang your indoor plants where your dog can’t reach them and place them where he can’t reach them.
Use plant stands. Plant stands are a great way of plant protection from dogs. The stands keep the plants away from your dog and keep them safe for you too.
Lemon juice can be used to deter your pets from eating house plants. The lemon juice has a strong odor that dogs find unpleasant and is generally safe for humans. Another option is vinegar spray is a great deterrent to keep dogs out of your home and off your plants. Vinegar can be used in multiple ways around the garden as it also has other uses.
Conclusion
Dogs love to dig, chew, and play in gardens because they provide comfort and security. But you also need to protect your garden and plants as well. With the above tips, hopefully, you now understand why dogs do such things and how to keep dogs out of potted plants so that your plants and flowers stay safe.
It’s our responsibility to keep our pets as safe as possible. When gardening, you can use these tricks to prevent your plants from being destroyed by your beloved pets.
