How to Keep your Neighbors’ Dogs away from Your Yard

tips + tricks, home, pets

There are several good reasons why you may want to keep your neighbors’ dogs out of your yard. For one, dogs inevitably leave behind doggie waste and urine on your vegetation. This can make your yard look and smell terrible. Second, even nice dogs can become aggressive, and you don’t want to contend with the possibility of dogs becoming aggressive to you, your family or visitors to your home. If you have already spoken to your neighbors’ about their dogs to no avail, there are a few additional steps that you can take to keep dogs out of your space.

Fencing
One option to consider is to install fencing around the perimeter of your yard. This can be expensive to do, but it can add aesthetic appeal to your home’s exterior. A great option to consider for fencing is a decorative picket fence. It is low enough so that it will not affect your view of the street from the yard, but it can be entirely effective at keeping dogs and other critters out of your yard.

Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a natural repellent of animals. You can sprinkle cayenne pepper in areas where the dogs typically roam in your yard or in areas where they regularly leave messes behind. Dogs have a great sense of smell, and this pepper can drive them away from your yard with ease. The downsides are that the pepper will have to be reapplied regularly, and this is especially true after a rainstorm. It also can take a lot of time to sprinkle pepper across your entire yard if you have a large yard.

A Can of Coins
If the dogs like to roam around your yard when you or your kids are outside, you can consider tossing a can of coins at them or shaking the can loudly. Simply place a small handful of coins in a metal container such as an empty food can. Tape the top of the can shut. When dogs approach, you can shake the can to deter them from your space. They typically will not like the noise and will roam off into the next yard. If you need to toss the can at them, ensure that the dog will not become aggressive and that you don’t actually hit the dog with the can.

Repellent Spray
You may also consider repelling the dogs from your yard with different sprays. One option is to turn your sprinkler on each time they approach. If the dogs regularly roam into your yard at a certain time of day, such as when your neighbor gets home from work, you can purchase a timer for your sprinkler so that the sprinkler automatically turns on at this time of day. You can also consider filling a spray bottle with a mixture of isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a small part of lemongrass oil or with citronella. This can be sprayed directly onto your yard or you can spray it in the direction of the animal if they approach. Their intense sense of smell often will allow them to smell it and turn the other way long before they are close enough for the spray to actually reach them.

It can be a hassle to contend with your neighbours’ dogs on your property. However, there are several different steps that you can take to deter them from your property and to keep them away. Consider putting some of these steps into action today.

Written by Jamie Z.
Jamie is a gardening enthusiast who loves to work with clients on their backyard facelift project. His dad and his brother run a pool cleaning and landscaping company in Brisbane. Like most other Aussies, Jamie loves to spend his weekends in the backyard with his beautiful wife, three boys and a golden retriever.

image from freedigitalphotos.net

Continue Reading

A Whimsical Halloween Party at the Goldilocks Cake City

 events, Jared, products, Halloween, Goldilocks, Goldilocks Cake City

There is a new party venue in town + I bet all the celebrants + their guest will have a grand time celebrating there! Goldilocks, one of the most recognized brands for cakes, pastries, parties + other goodies has recently built their own special place to have the ultimate Goldi-good celebration, the Goldilocks Cake City.

events, Jared, products, Halloween, Goldilocks, Goldilocks Cake City

Mum + the little man, along with a dozen other mummy bloggers with their little ones were invited to experience the Goldilocks Cake City, firsthand, through a Whimsical Halloween Party held last Saturday. We arrived at the venue a little after 11am + we are graciously welcomed to the feast + ushered to our seats with a pristine cake for us to decorate. Now, this is something I have not tried before, so there were really butterflies in my stomach just thinking how my cake will turn out. I must say, even if I am not really that creative, I actually enjoyed decorating our cake + putting those little Halloween sugar-figures onto our cake! At this point, the little man was so enamored with the police car + school bus wall drawings that he refused to sit beside me so that he can help me decorate our Halloween cake. Plus, he was also excited to play with costume-clad little ones who came to join the festivities. He was having a grand time partying with Superman, Super Girl + Princess Jasmin, as well as enjoying dancing to the music that was spewing from the sound system!

events, Jared, products, Halloween, Goldilocks, Goldilocks Cake City

A little while later, the party commenced + the children where called to line up so the grown-ups can have their photos taken! Too bad the little man did not came in a costume, he would’ve looked good in a superhero costume. After the picture-taking, the games begun! The little ones enjoyed the different fun games they participated in. They made word puzzles + brought an assortment of items for the Bring-Me-More contest. Everyone had a great time participating in the games, as well as enjoying their prizes! Even Jared who did not really participated + won in any of the games was having such a terrific time just seeing all the kids.

The feast was served not long after + the buffet table was filled with usual party staples like spaghetti, barbecue, and the little man’s favorite, fried chicken. Rice and caldereta were also served, as well as cupcakes to serve as sweet endings to our meals, but I had to pass since I was rather full when I finished the food I got for me + Jared. I had to finish it on my own as the little man refused to slow down + take his seat so he can eat. Instead, he was all over the place, running here + there + asking me to have his photos taken beside the bus + police car! I guess you can really say that he loved cars so much. 😉

events, Jared, products, Halloween, Goldilocks, Goldilocks Cake City

Later on special prizes were given to Mommy Peach of The Peach Kitchen for winning the Best Decorate-Your-Cake design. Mommy Louise + her brood were also given special prize for coming to the party with the most whimsical costumes.

events, Jared, products, Halloween, Goldilocks, Goldilocks Cake City

+ even though some of us were not as lucky, we did not leave empty-handed, as Goldilocks prepared Bitbit boxes, filled with delicious cake slices, for us to take home, as well as Goldilocks Halloween treat for the little one.We even get to bring home the cake we designed earlier.

One can easily surmise that Goldilocks has really went on to be a one-stop celebration specialist + throwing a fun + fab party both the celebrants + guests will enjoy is really well up their alley. With Goldilocks Cake City, + its fanciful decorations + installations, not to mention ready access to delightful Goldilocks treats + a space enough to easily seat a party of 50, throwing parties is now as easy-as-pie! In fact, all you have to do is choose from a number of menu packages, a party theme, add on a few party amenities + a couple of party add-ons + you’re  all set!

For more information, you may visit Goldilocks Shaw Boulevard or call them at {02}727-6505 or {02}727-6504.

Continue Reading

choosing a halloween costume for the little man

mum's thoughts, Jared, jared's nook, Halloween
opting for the arcade instead of looking for a Halloween costume

To see my little man in a costume is one of my long-time mummy dream. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him in those oh-so-cute bumblebee or dinosaur costumes for toddlers, but alas, up until now, I have not been successful into egging him to even try out any of  those fancy + scary costumes. I was thinking that since he’s now 3, he might be more open + excited about the idea, so we head to the mall earlier to go looking for a costume he’d wear on his tita‘s trick or treat at work {which we’ve also attended last year, check out this post} on Tuesday. He was keen on scrutinizing some of the costumes he find interesting + we even get to try out Robin’s mask. I saw him eyeing this cute Spiderman costume so I excitedly asked him if he’d like to give this one a go, too bad the suit includes a head mask. The little man immediately darted away + abandon his like for the web-throwing hero’s costume like a hot potato! He, instead, decided to just go out of the department store + went playing at the arcade!

Oh well, we’ll be going to the city on Monday for some errands, I will make sure we hit the stores to search for something he might be interested to wear tomorrow. Wish us luck! 🙂

Continue Reading
1 2 3 10