Originally Posted by Vox Humana

You can try putting some hardware cloth *available at any hardware store)
over the soil. The dogs probably will be put-off by the texture. Also, pet
stores sell repellant sprays to keep dogs away from areas. I'm not sure
they work very well, but they are inexpensive and you might give it a try.
My neighbors put mothballs in their container and claim it keeps the
wildlife away. I find the smell unpleasant and it drifts into my yard.
Again, you might try, but if you have close neighbors, you might talk to
them first.