[Ozzy29]

Forgive me if someone else suggested this. I am not much of a gardener and certainly do not know what kind of plants are common in Greece. You said there are hedges near the fence. Have you considered adding something like rosebushes to the hedge area?
Many dogs will stay away from any kind of bush that has thorns. You have to plant fairly large one or they will not be of any use. If you plant enough your dogs may simply stay away from the area in question. Dogs-bane and citrus plants can have similar effects. They certainly help to get dogs to stop digging.

[lagrena]

Ozzie 29, thanks for the idea. I will bring this to the attention of our gardner as we are looking at some plant changes for this fall. Planting cannot be done now too hot and dry.

[Ozzy29]

You might want to try setting up a sonar system. They are a lot cheaper than fencing. You can get ones that are remotely activated. You could try placing a few by the fence and only using it when the dogs approach the area.
You can then train your dogs to stay away from that area of the yard at all times. People usually use them to control barking but they do work as a dog repellent.
Hope this might help.

[lagrena]

Ozzie29, thanks for your comments regarding a Sonic Fence. By Sonic fence I assume you mean the ones with a transmitter and a collar that gives a small electrical shock when the dog passes a line.

If this is correct, I have given this some thought but so far have rejected this idea as 1) with 4 dogs outside that have there rough-house play times just their regular collars take quite a beating. Our dogs play a game of bit in play around the neck and run and be chased. But one leather collar lasted 2 weeks, one of the dogs ate the whole thing once they bit through, and the heavy cloth collars on all of them now at 6 months need to be replaced, some almost bit through.

I also have some land elevational difference with trees in that areas that I need to protect and it seems that these systems need a clear straight line. That may not be possible. That said I would be interested in any comments from readers about success with the "Sonicaa" collars.

Thanks again

[Ozzy29]

Wow, you have a real problem. This might sound silly but it might work. Dogs hate the smell of citrus. I know if you want to stop digging problems you can bury peels and rinds in the garden but I do no think this will help you, because the smell won't be strong enough. However, they do have battery operated motion scent sprays. They go off when someone gets close. They work on either timers or by motion. Maybe if you were able to place a couple near the fence that would spray your dogs when they got near the fence they would learn to stay away from the area. Then you would not have to worry about collars. They are non toxic, fairly cheap and would only go off if the dogs approached. And they smell rather nice!

[lagrena]

Hey Ozzi29, those are very good comments. I've read about those citirus things but did not think they would work, but now you tell me about burying some citrus, well I have lots of citrus trees and might just see what happens when I fill the area they fight in with citrus peels.
Yes I know it sounds serious, I hate the damage, I love the dogs! Had a real good day with them in some training yesterday but that's because I was at the gate all day long working on scraping off the old paint for a recoat. That cooled off the action.
Will try some citrus and let you know

Thanks

[Ozzy29]

Glad to hear you guys had a good day. You should take a second to look at some of the sonic devices. Many do not require collars because they use sound and not shock as a correction. One of the reasons people use them is to get the neighbor's dogs to stop barking. You do have to have a good line of sight but you may be able to set up a system that not only points to your dogs but at the neighbors dogs as well. They can be operated by remote although I am not sure of the distance. Plus it would affect all the dogs in the area.
Like I said if digging was the trouble I would say use peels but I do not know if this will be enough to keep the dogs away.
Keep me posted how things are working out.

[lagrena]

Ozzie29, regarding the commemt in your post, "these collars work on other dogs too and they do not requrire a collar stirs my interest greatly. So have been researching the internet for one that advertises these features but cannot find one. Pet shops here in Greece also do not carry any of these types of products. Do you have a link to any website describing this combination of advantages? US or elsewhere If I can find it I would try it as it would also remove the problem with dogs outside our gate

Thanks

[Lunareclipse]

I planted cactus around the areas I don't want the dogs. And also in some areas where the neighborhood dogs enter our yard to take a dump. They don't have long needles, but they have hair that burns for about 15 minutes. The dogs stay away from them. So do I. Those suckers hurt while I planting them.

[Ozzy29]

Ok this is one that I found. It offers either battery or plug in option, no collars, and has a key chain hand remote that works from 500 feet away. I have never tied one of these products myself but have heard many good things about them.
Although their primary use is for barking they claim that you can train your dog to stay away from the trash or to sty off the furniture.
Stop Dog Barking with the Dog Silencer Pro - Safe, Humane Anti Bark Control Product
Stop Dog Barking With The Ultimate Dog Silencer Pro - Safe, Humane Anti Bark Control Product
The second link is the one for Europe.

These ones are motion activated one.

Ultrasonic Animal Dog Pest Repeller Repellent Control - eBay (item 370412081313 end time Aug-23-10 05:53:03 PDT)

Pest Stop Outdoor Repeller|Cat, Dog & Animal Scarer|Stop Problem Cats, Dogs & Nuisance Animals
Mega-Sonic Cat, Dog & Fox Repeller [Latest Model]- Motion activated sensor: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

This is a scent repellent product

Dog Repellents - Repel dogs from gardens, lawns, landscaped areas and garbage.: Pet Odor Removal Products: Eliminate pet odors like cat and dog urine quickly and permanently.

I found them by looking for sonic dog repellents.
I hope this helps.

[lagrena]

Lunareclips, thanks for the comments. I have a lot of catus type plant now on the property but the area of concern is a fence line with shrubs for privacy, not quite a catus plant setting. Thanks anyway

Ozzie29, good links thank you very much this is something I am very interested. I will order in the morning and let you know how this works

[Ozzy29]

Please let me know which one you decide to buy and how it does work out. I have read good things about them I would love to hear how things work out.