Simple question really, what's the science behind the water-filled bottles people place outside of their houses that are intended to deter dogs? Do they work? If so, how?

Edited June 4, 200719 yr by Bananaman

According to some, it's an Urban Legend, but some reasons have been advanced:

* The glinting of the water in the bottles emits some special canine danger signal.

* Dogs won't foul a source of drinking water, or they won't mess where there's food or water to be found.

* Pooches see their reflections in the water, are disconcerted by them, and run off.

* The smell coming off jugs filled with pure bleach or a bleach-and-water combination drives the mutts away.

Of course, even if this does work, the question has to be asked: Which is worse, a lawn dotted with doggie-doo, or a yard full of plastic jugs?

Other solutions:

1) Change your fertiliser. Some animals react strongly to other animals smells and odours. If you've been using organic fertilisers try using a chemical one for a short period and vice versa.

2) Change your watering times if the offending dog is consistent in the time he or she turns up to relieve themselves make sure the sprinklers are already going. Even having the lawn wet prior to the animal presenting itself may be a huge deterrent.

3) Keep gates closed and check for holes in fences.

Peter

Peter

According to some, it's an Urban Legend, but some reasons have been advanced:

* The glinting of the water in the bottles emits some special canine danger signal.

* Dogs won't foul a source of drinking water, or they won't mess where there's food or water to be found.

* Pooches see their reflections in the water, are disconcerted by them, and run off.

* The smell coming off jugs filled with pure bleach or a bleach-and-water combination drives the mutts away.

Of course, even if this does work, the question has to be asked: Which is worse, a lawn dotted with doggie-doo, or a yard full of plastic jugs?

Other solutions:

1) Change your fertiliser. Some animals react strongly to other animals smells and odours. If you've been using organic fertilisers try using a chemical one for a short period and vice versa.

2) Change your watering times if the offending dog is consistent in the time he or she turns up to relieve themselves make sure the sprinklers are already going. Even having the lawn wet prior to the animal presenting itself may be a huge deterrent.

3) Keep gates closed and check for holes in fences.

Peter

Peter

Interesting....I'm about to move to a moo bahn that has its fair share of canine residents and will indeed be putting this urban legend to the test.

Now I wonder if there's anything similar that prevents them from howling collectively at 4am?

Earplugs.

Earplugs.

Dogs don't howl collectively at 4am, roosters do. Dogs only bark at that hour if an intruder is about. Be grateful for the alarm.

Simple question really, what's the science behind the water-filled bottles people place outside of their houses that are intended to deter dogs? Do they work? If so, how?

In our building people put bottles of water next to their car tires to deter dogs from taking a leak on them. The theory is that dogs will be reluctant to lift their legs and expose their privates if they see some movement (reflection) in the area.