A common and reasonable question we get from dog owners who have a fox problem but want to make sure the FoxWatch is safe for dogs to use first is whether or not it will work on dogs.
Many of you may know that foxes and dogs are both in the Canidae family. Because of this, they have a lot in common, like a hearing range that is similar.
The FoxWatch makes a sound between 40 and 45 kHz, which is in a dog’s hearing range and the dog can hear it but humans can’t.
Dealing with foxes in your backyard can be a frustrating experience, especially if you have dogs. Foxes and dogs often do not mix well, and confrontations can lead to injuries on either side. As a dog owner, you want to keep foxes away from your property without harming them. The good news is there are effective fox repellents that are safe to use around dogs. With the right products and deterrents, you can humanely keep foxes away and protect your furry friends.
Understanding Fox Behavior
To keep foxes away from your dogs, it helps to understand their behavior patterns. Foxes are opportunistic animals that are attracted to easy sources of food and shelter. They may be drawn to your yard if you have small pets, unattended pet food, or potential denning spots. Foxes are also territorial and will try to keep other animals like dogs out of areas they consider their own.
Foxes tend to be more active at dawn and dusk, so these are times when confrontations with your dogs are more likely. Foxes may consider your dogs as competition and try to intimidate them with aggressive posturing, noises, or even nipping. Dogs may in turn become highly reactive and protective. Preventing interactions is the best way to avoid fights and injuries.
Repellents That Work and Are Dog Safe
The key to effective fox control is using repellents that alter fox behavior without harming the foxes, your dogs, or the environment. Repellents work by creating unpleasant sensations that foxes will avoid. Look for humane products that specifically state they are safe for use around dogs. Avoid any repellents containing coyote or predator urine, as these can actually attract foxes.
Pepper Sprays
Pepper sprays create a strong irritant sensation on contact that foxes want to avoid. Look for products containing capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot peppers The sprays cause no permanent harm but are very uncomfortable. Reapply the spray after heavy rains. Take care to keep the spray away from your dog’s face and eyes as the pepper can irritate
Motion Activated Sprinklers
These devices detect movement and shoot bursts of water to startle foxes They are harmless but discourage foxes from lingering Place them near dens or common fox entry points. The sprinklers can keep foxes away from yards with dogs. They may need to be brought inside during freezing weather.
Electronic Repellers
These battery operated devices emit high frequency sounds, ultrasonic noise, or lights that foxes want to avoid. Models with motion sensors are most effective since they activate when foxes come near. The lights and sounds are not detectable by dogs but will drive foxes away. Look for features like variable frequency, range, and volume control.
Lighting
Foxes prefer darkness, so installing bright lighting around your yard can make it less attractive. Floodlights or motion activated lights near dog pens and dog doors will discourage foxes. Just be sure lights do not shine into dens as mother foxes will relocate their kits.
Removal of Attractants
Denying food and shelter is key to permanent fox control. Never intentionally feed foxes. Keep pet food inside, clean up fallen fruit and secure compost bins. Fox proof enclosed spaces like porches, sheds, and crawl spaces. Cut back overgrown areas and trim vegetation to reduce hiding spots. Making your yard less welcoming will encourage foxes to look elsewhere.
Additional Tips for Keeping Foxes Away
Here are some additional tips for repelling foxes while keeping your dogs safe:
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Supervise dogs when outside, especially at dawn and dusk. Don’t allow dogs to roam freely.
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Accompany dogs on leashes when walking near known fox dens. Keep dogs close in fox heavy areas.
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Use secure fencing around pens, install wire mesh under porches, and block potential holes.
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Try landscape options like thorny plants as natural deterrents along fences. Plant animal repellent plants like marigolds.
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Clean up fallen fruit around trees and bushes. Rotting fruit attracts foxes.
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Remove outdoor pet food, water bowls, and bird feeders at night when foxes are most active.
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Use bio-degradable cleaning products when cleaning dens or eliminating scents. Avoid fox urine.
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Seek professional fox removal for difficult cases. Some states allow trapping and relocating nuisance foxes.
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Consult local regulations about legal fox deterrent options and necessary permits.
Take a Proactive Stance Against Foxes
Coexisting with foxes requires an active prevention approach. The key is breaking the attraction cycle by restricting access, removing food sources, and making your yard less inviting. Persistence is important so deterrents become a permanent part of your routine. With regular use of safe repellents, maintaining a clean yard, and supervision of your dogs, you can humanely convince foxes your property is not worth the trouble. Keeping foxes away removes the threat while allowing both species to coexist naturally and safely in shared environments. Your dogs will thank you!
Dogs are often calmer once foxes are out of the garden
For short, a lot of dog owners have found that the FoxWatch works well to keep foxes away from their dogs without bothering them.
When your dog is in the garden, it’s a natural way to keep foxes away, and you should train your dog to pee in places you’ve seen foxes.
When the dogs are inside or not at home, foxes in the area may try to get into the garden. Installing a FoxWatch means there is a deterrent working for you at all times.
Also, dog owners often tell us that their dogs used to bark a lot more when they saw a fox come into the garden, but now that they have a FoxWatch, their dogs don’t bark as much.
Also, it can give dog owners of smaller breeds peace of mind when they are worried about fox attacks, no matter how small the threat is.
Dogs quickly get used to the FoxWatch but foxes do not
Most of the time, though, dog owners who install a FoxWatch find that their dog gets used to the noise as soon as it becomes normal in the house. The dog may bark a few times the first few times the FoxWatch is set off.
Since the FoxWatch is new to the garden and making a new sound, a dog will naturally be interested at first.
Foxes, on the other hand, are wild animals that are always on the lookout for threats to themselves and their territories. The FoxWatch is very good at creating this threat all the time, which makes the fox run away and teaches it that your garden is not a place it can feel safe or worth trying to get into.
To best understand the FoxWatch, compare it to a fox burglar alarm or the sound of foxes scratching on a blackboard.
How To Keep Foxes Out Of Your Yard – (6 Easy Ways)
Will the Foxwatch ultrasonic deterrent unit have an effect on dogs?
Whether or not the FoxWatch Ultrasonic Deterrent Unit will have an effect on dogs is a very common and understandable question that we get from a lot of dog owners who have a fox problem but want to double-check the FoxWatch is ok to use with dogs first.
Can dogs deter foxes?
A dog, when it is in the garden, is actually a very good natural fox deterrent and it’s worth encouraging your dog to pee in places you’ve seen a fox. It’s when dogs are indoors or away from home that foxes living nearby may try to venture into the garden.
How do I keep foxes away from my Dog?
So, in short, many dog owners successfully use the FoxWatch to keep foxes away without causing any disruption to their dogs. A dog, when it is in the garden, is actually a very good natural fox deterrent and it’s worth encouraging your dog to pee in places you’ve seen a fox.
Can the Foxwatch keep foxes away?
The best analogy is to think of the FoxWatch as a fox burglar alarm or the fox equivalent of fingers scratching down a blackboard. So, in short, many dog owners successfully use the FoxWatch to keep foxes away without causing any disruption to their dogs.
