Doggy defence...

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by Fat Controller, Mar 23, 2024.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I have (as many already know) these half barrel planters along the side of my patio - this year, they will be home to potatoes and maybe spring onions... (see how I feel) - but I have an issue in that our dogs like to jump up on them to shout at the dog next door... and no amount of bribery or telling them off will deter them.

    Last year, we tried garden netting which only worked to a degree, and once they figured out the could get under it... plus the plants themselves got so big, the pushed the netting downward.

    So, I am looking for suggestions - what would you do to stop these being trampled on:

    WhatsApp Image 2024-03-23 at 17.14.15_2f7ddde1.jpg
     
  2. Obelix-Vendée

    Obelix-Vendée Head Gardener

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    Move them out from the fence so the dogs can run along it without bouncing on your treasures?

    Maybe group them in 4s so you can insert canes or thin posts in each one and drape nets over them?
     
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    • Fat Controller

      Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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      Moving them would be a military operation that would also require assistance, as they are just too heavy for me to move... I like your thinking though.
       
    • Obelix-Vendée

      Obelix-Vendée Head Gardener

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      • Jenny_Aster

        Jenny_Aster Optimistic Gardener.

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        Wondering if you've got room to put a row of oblong planters in front, but on second thought, they may use those as a step :wallbanging:

        Maybe put the netting (or even trellis) a foot or so in front of the containers to make it harder for them to jump up. Depending on how brave your dogs are, I know our Rusty would be terrified of knocking the net or trellis down so it wouldn't matter how robust they were.

        Maybe relax at your patio table with a glass of wine, armed with a water pistol in one hand and a bag of dog treats in the other. When they jump up barking, tell them sternly NO and give them a squirt if they don't listen. If they listen and get down tell them how good they are and give them a hug and a treat. It won't work if they think being squirted at is fun.

        I'll continue trying to think 'out of the box', I might return!
         
      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Their bravery level varies depending on what is going on - Bailey is scared witless of the vacuum cleaner or the Vax, but will happily stand right next to me when I am whizzing wood through a table saw. Fletch wlll be quite brave with most things, especially if that bravery means he gets to me.

        We've tried the water trick and the bag of treats with only limited success - both dogs are rescues, so when they hear Lucky next door, their focus flips to him and nothing stands in their way.

        I am pondering your trellis idea though.. bamboo screening around the front rim of each tub - would need to watch the height for the sake of not shading the plants.
         
      • Obelix-Vendée

        Obelix-Vendée Head Gardener

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        Our pair are rescues too @Fat Controller and definitely limited in obedience when reactivity takes over. They love to chase passing dogs/cyclists/walkers/bin men along the length of our boundary with the lane and, until we installed gates, thought nothing of barging all over our veg plot which is fenced off because it used to be a small donkey paddock.

        We also have a dog next door and they love bouncing about along the fence when they see her. The only plants that have withstood their bouncing and running are a mahonia, some euonymus and snowdrops. I did plant a lovely border there with hostas and hellebores and hardy geraniums but they've all had to be moved..........
         
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          Last edited: Mar 23, 2024
        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          I volunteer with the charity that we got ours from @Obelix-Vendée - despite them having their challenges, I wouldn't be without them for the world. Their life is a ball now compared to where they came from. Spoiled rotten.
           
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          • Bozzie

            Bozzie Gardener

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            How about those metal plant supports, either a hoop of plastic coated metal on two prongs you push in the soil (or your pots) or else similar ones but circular that you can grow a shrub - or whatever you decide to plant - through to support it?
            The first sort, the hoop type, worked keeping our dog off a lot of thyme I’d planted. Depends how agile your dogs are though and how small or large they are. That kind of thing put ours off as it was in the way of her mad, distracted dash.
             
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            • DiggersJo

              DiggersJo Head Gardener

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              To move, something to lever up ever so slightly, slip under a bit broom stick just under the size of the pots and roll...
               
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              • fairygirl

                fairygirl Total Gardener

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                How about trellis - maybe 6 x 3 feet size, put lengthwise, with a couple of purpose made feet, one at each end, to make a barrier - a bit like the kind they use for roadworks. The feet would just need ot be broad enough to make the barrier stable. Some 3 x 2 [inches] or similar.
                The feet would slot in between the containers.
                 
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                • Plantminded

                  Plantminded Head Gardener

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                  You could create individual cylinders from galvanised wire mesh, tall enough to keep the dogs out but still enable you to reach in. Could look quite trendy:)!
                   
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                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    Oddly, I was pondering something like that when I was looking at them this afternoon. I could certainly knock up legs/feet from CLS and simply protect it with creosote or similar.
                     
                  • fairygirl

                    fairygirl Total Gardener

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                    I was wondering if what I said made sense @Fat Controller !
                    They would be easy enough to move forward when you need to attend to your plants too.
                     
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                    • Jenny_Aster

                      Jenny_Aster Optimistic Gardener.

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                      Our Rusty is terrified of the hoover, I'm afraid I've traumatised him about it, which I'm terribly sad about. He's also a rescue, we've had him since he was about 11 weeks old. Like most German Shepherds they can be really wilful and a handful when young. His great game when he wanted attention (which was most of the time) was to steel something, like a letter off the table, toilet rolls, slippers and run off with them, it was a game of chase-me. It got so bad that we needed to break this cycle as it was getting out of hand. Because of other 'issues' he had we called in a dog behaviour specialist (to teach us how to handle him better). She asked what was he scared of, I told her he didn't like the hoover. On her suggestion, every time Rusty was naughty, I'd say 'Right, shall I get the hoover out', so instead of chasing him I got the hoover out of the cupboard. He soon learnt and I only had to say the word 'Right' and he'd behave. He's 11 years old now and is the best behaved dog anyone could wish for (cats would disagree of course) but it saddens me every time I get the hoover out and watch him sleek off upstairs out of the way. :cry3:

                      Think a long thin trellis along the front of the container could work. Fingers crossed you find a solution.
                       
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