You are trying to deter your dog from playing around your plants, and to help, you have decided to surround your favourite plants with wood chips. However, while you want your dog to be deterred, you don't want him to be hurt. Here are some tips on balancing that issue:

1. Opt for sharp pointy wood chips.

If you don't want your dog to walk on your wood chips, choose ones that are relatively sharp and pointy. Feel them in your hand before buying them. If they feel soft with smooth edges, your dog will just easily walk over them. You want jagged edges and a rough feel.

2. Choose wood chips with an unpleasant odour.

In addition to feel, keep smell in mind. For example, dogs do not like the odour of citrus, and you can buy citrus wood chips. In most cases, these are specialty chips used for grilling rather than landscaping, but you can mix a handful into your landscaping wood chips to help deter your dog as needed.

3. Avoid additives.

Ideally, the shape and smell of the wood chips you select should deter your dog, but in case you have an incorrigible pup who refuses to be leave your chips alone, you need to ensure the wood chips won't hurt him.

Ask your supplier whether or not the wood has been treated with anything -- in some cases, wood is treated to help it last longer. You want to avoid treatments, resins and sealants that could be harmful to your dog if ingested.

4. Do not use cocoa mulch.

In addition to considering the additives of your wood chips, also consider the type of wood they feature. Most types of wood are safe for dogs, but unfortunately, cocoa mulch, which is often used in the same applications as wood chips, is not safe. If your dog eats cocoa husk mulch, he could experience muscle tremors, fast heart rate, hyperthermia and seizures.

5. Utilise fabric tape to deter digging.

Once you have selected wood chips that will deter your dog without injuring him, you need to start considering other factors. Before laying the wood chips, spray down the area thoroughly. This helps remove dog urine or other odours that may be attracting your dog to this spot.

When the area is clean, lay down landscaping fabric. If your dog ever tries to dig up your wood chips, this will thwart his efforts and hopefully convince him to move on to another activity.

Combining the right wood chips with the right strategies can help to keep your dog away from your plants. Want more ideas? Contact a wood chip specialist.

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