Stop free-roaming dogs from entering my property

Question

I have a house that enters into an alley. With the snow, I can see all the tracks from the dog(s) that come into my yard. Today, I saw a few piles of dog feces that I had to clean up before coming into work.

I do not see human foot prints around where the dog prints are, which leads me to believe that the dog is roaming free, likely at night or during the day when I work. I can't exactly call Animal Control since I don't know what the dog looks like or when it's around.

Short of setting up a fence, how can I get dogs that I do not own or see from coming into my yard and defecating? I need a solution that can be left out in the cold (hand held devices or battery operated devices are out), which means -35c style temperatures (after factoring in the wind chill).

Answer 1

You could pee around the perimeter that you want to mark as yours.

Source: Personal experience: I had a neighboring dog who would bark like crazy when I approached the fence separating our yards. Eventually I peed along the side of the fence, and he was the quietest dog ever after.

Answer 2

Try bitter apple spray. It's a dog deterrent typically used to prevent chewing but I bet if you put it in a sprayer (like the ones used for weed spray) and went around the perimeter it would discourage them.

Bitter apple spray is not toxic to dogs, just doesn't taste/smell good to them.

Source: kept my puppy from eating my stairs, my dining room trim, coffee table, etc.

Answer 3

Motion activated sprinklers deter everything, are non lethal, and their effects easy to localize.

Lowe's has an "Orbit Yard Enforcer Motion-Activated 1600-sq ft Sprinkler" for less than $20USD.

You mention snow, and for obvious reasons this solution isn't suitable when temperatures get below freezing.

Even with this limitation, keep in mind that it won't be below freezing forever and if you start training the dogs/cats/raccoons/girlscouts as soon as the weather warms up, they will remember the unpleasant effects and continue to avoid the area next winter.

Answer 4

There is no effective, legal way to do this. It's a problem older than Animal Control, leash laws (or equivalent), possibly as old as domestication of dogs. If you don't want to start a war with your neighbors, the only thing you can do without a fence is install an automatic camera so you can identify the dog to Animal Control. This is moderately expensive and only a little effective (many locations have cut Animal Control budgets to the point of having only a single officer for a county and no maintenance budget for equipment).

Best I can suggest is bite the bullet and put up a high, sturdy fence. The saying is so old the English version is a translation from either Latin or Greek (not sure which): "Good fences make good neighbors."

Answer 5

I would like to see Snopes take on this one. Reported on line as being used in Los Angeles, I have actually seen in in Melbourne, Australia.

I couldn’t believe my eyes as I walked down a nice suburban street, with single homes, each with a neatly manicured front lawn – each with a plastic Coke bottle, filled with water, standing at each corner. I asked my cousin (a native) what in Hades was going on and she just shrugged and said nonchalantly, “yeah, keeps the dogs form crappin’ on yer lawn, dunnit?”

I BEG you to run a scientific test of this and let us know if it works.

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[Update] after a little research, Docotr Greenfingers attempes to explain it:

Ever wondered why people put bottles on there lawns? You may have been told its to keep cats away and its true. But does it work and how? First of all we must half fill a clear plastic bottle with water .( Its very important to fill half full of water. ) Put lid on and place in the middle of the lawn. If you have a big lawn then put a few about. Leave out and see if it works! Cats are suppose to be scared away by the bottle, but how you ask? It works best at night and if there a breeze. Take a light say from a street lamp, car or one of your windows. This light travels through the bottle and the water which is then reflected away like laser beams in different directions giving off little flashes. The cat sees these flashes and Zap! He's away. There you have it so go out and try it out on your lawn.

OTOH, Cats Away declares it to be a myth.

And the Snopes jury is out - undetermined.

Please, for the sake of humainity, you have to conduct experiemnts and report back to us.

Answer 6

There are some sound based cat deterrent items, which may also work against dogs.

A short internet search showed Cat Repellent, Mega sonic cat repellent, Ultrasonic Cat deterrent, and several more. They have different settings for different animals, when mentioned dogs are always in the list.

Some emit sound all the time, others only when an animal is detected.

With the information of those sellers you can make your own, with a speaker that emits a very high sound, keep it beyond what even children can hear if you have neighbours with kids. If you are smart with machines you might even be able to have it work only when a camera detects a dog in the area.

Answer 7

From Natural Products to Stop Dogs From Pooping in the Yard

No one wants to step in pile of dog poop. If a canine is a member of your family, poop piles are expected. But with the aid of some natural deterrents, you can encourage pooping in certain areas of the yard. If poop in your yard comes from neighborhood dogs, these same deterrents can help. Natural products provide a safe alternative to harsh chemicals and are typically safe around children as well. White dog waiting on a driveway in suburban neighborhood Small dog standing beside yard credit: Nuli_k/iStock/Getty Images All-Natural Commercial Dog Repellent Products

Outdoor commercial deterrents are available at your local pet supply, grocery or hardware stores. These products use natural ingredients that are safe for animals as well as for any vegetation in your yard. They repel dogs through an unpleasant odor, taste or feel. They typically come in granules or sprayable liquids, and they produce an unpleasant scent that helps keep dogs from pooping in the area. The downside to these is that the scent lasts for a only few weeks, so regular application, including after rain, is necessary. Mix Your Own Homemade Deterrents

If you do not want to purchase commercial products, your kitchen may already have natural deterrents that will keep dogs from pooping in your yard. Chili pepper, sprinkled around the area, irritates the skin and noses of dogs, keeping them at bay. Other natural products that have distinct odors that are very offensive to a dog’s sensitive nose include ammonia and vinegar. Unfortunately, both of these can kill vegetation if poured directly on them. Soak cotton balls with vinegar or ammonia and place the cotton balls throughout your yard. As with commercial deterrents, homemade deterrents need regular application. Apply Alternative Landscaping

If you are looking for a long-term deterrent, alternative landscaping is an option. Certain plants, such as aloe, holly and berry vines, have sharp edges and thorns that a dog will not want to venture through. Pine cone mulch provides a rough surface that may be too much for a dog’s feet. In terms of scent deterrents, the Coleus canina plant, also known as “Dogs Be Gone" or "Scaredy Cat,” gives off an offensive odor that keeps most animals out. The smell of this plant is described as that of licorice or nicotine, and sometimes like skunk scent. Water as a Natural Deterrent

Another natural deterrent stops dogs from pooping in your yard and waters your foliage at the same time. Two watering options include changing your watering schedule and sensor sprinklers. If you have a regular stray dog that seems to take regular bathrooms breaks in your yard, consider making that dog's time of day your watering time. The offending dog will not want to venture in and get wet. Motion-detector sprinklers work well. Place them in areas you want to keep poop-free. When an animal approaches, the sensor turns a sprinkler on. This startles the dog, gets him wet, and sends him on his way. Other motion-activated devices emit high-pitched sounds or bursts or air instead of water to deter animals that venture close.

Answer 8

There are chemical animal repellents that you can spray that might work. The active ingredient is methyl nonyl ketone, which is found in a number of edible plants and has a strong smell somewhat reminiscent of cilantro. I've only ever used it indoors, so I don't know how well it would wear outside.

As far as its effectiveness, well, YMMV. It made my cats sprint out of the room, but my dogs just rolled around in it.

Answer 9

I've had a good deal of success with ordinary, ground pepper sprinkled on the ground. I don't know how viable this would be in snow though! The experience is very unpleasant for the pooch, and it will soon learn not to come back.