Missoula loves dogs!

There's no question about it. Missoula is definitely the place for dogs. And I know a lot of those dog lovers in Missoula are the same people who like to garden. So I'm hoping you can let me know how you do it!

My roommate has two big puppies and plans to continue a garden that he had already put in before I lived here. However, we're quickly realizing that these new friends might pose some obstacles to that idea. One of the dogs likes to dig. A lot! She is sparkling white when freshly washed and dried, but comes in from outside looking kind of brownish with black paws every day. haha Unfortunately, the back yard is kind of a mess because of it. How can we keep the dogs from digging, or doing their business for that matter, in the planted areas? We have some wire fencing. I'm not sure if that will keep them out if they are really determined. They might think our garden is "the place to be" if they see us hanging out in there a lot. Any suggestions? Help please! We want to have everything ready when it's time to plant outside.

Cats are a concern too.  At our last place, there were at least four cats that lived there.  They all enjoyed pooping in the garden boxes.  Are there any good ways to prevent this?  Dogs can be fenced out fairly easily it seems to me, but cats?? 

I had the same problem of my dog constantly digging holes in my back yard.  It seemed like every time that I would get the holes filled in the next day she would have dug them back up again.  A little trick that I learned to keep her from digging was to put a blown up balloon in the hole and then fill it up with dirt again.  When the dog goes to dig the hole up she will pop the balloon with her paws, startling her.  I had to do this a couple of times, but after a while she realized that digging holes was associated with the loud popping noise, which was something that she didn't like. 

On a side note as for the cats try putting pine cones in things that you don't want them to dig up.  (Cats usually don't like the feel on their paws)

Thanks, Caitlin. We will try that! Hopefully the dog doesn't think it's a game and start trying to make popping noises everywhere. She's could definitely do that. haha

Caitlin,
This is a great idea! I've never heard of it before but it sound like a good idea.

Caitlin Elder wrote:
  A little trick that I learned to keep her from digging was to put a blown up balloon in the hole and then fill it up with dirt again.  When the dog goes to dig the hole up she will pop the balloon with her paws, startling her. 

Just a heads up, it has to be regular balloons, not water balloons, they pop to easily.

Thanks I'll remember that,
I have tried sprinkling black pepper on the ground but it did not work very well.

I suppose also the dog is digging out of boredom or anxiety so we might also try to find a replacement behavior like a toy with a treat hidden inside or something?

(off subject : we are doing a craft event this Sat., see the Get out & do something thread for info.)