How can I keep my dogs from digging in the garden?

In addition to erecting a fence around your garden, there are several other options. Chemical cat and dog repellents, available at garden supply stores, are very effective, although you probably won’t want them leaching into your garden. You also may use repellents with citronella or cayenne pepper, but they lose their potency after a day or so. One reader suggests planting rue, a perennial herb with an odor that keeps cats away. Another suggests placing chicken wire over areas where animals are likely to dig.