I would fasten a 1 1/2 to 2 foot long treated 2x4 to the post just below the surface. It will look like a cross. Use coated deck screws.

I would fasten a 1 1/2 to 2 foot long treated 2x4 to the pet leash.

I made a temporary dog fence with chicken-wire type mesh and those 4 foot metal stakes. Not pretty but effective and easy. I think that with the metal stakes as fence posts (or attach fence posts to them with the stakes on the "ugly" side) and prefab picket fence sections, you might be able to make a decent-looking fence that would hold up to pugs.

Or maybe something like this (this is from Home Depot--there are probably others):

Here is a link that might be useful: hammer in fence post holder

It's not hard to teach your dogs to use a particular area, then you don't need a fence.

Hey all, thanks for the great tips! I'm definitely going to research them more before we decide on the final project.

I had thought of chicken wire, but I was afraid my son might cut himself if he managed to find a sharp edge on it some where. It would definitely hold up to Pugs, though.

As for teaching the dogs to use just one area to do their business, there are two problems with that idea: 1) just because the dogs only use one area doesn't mean my precocious toddler would avoid that area himself, and more importantly 2) you obviously don't own Pugs, because they are one of the most stubborn breeds in existence (but man are they sweet and cuddly!). Teaching Pugs is similar to trying to herd cats!

Thanks for the tips! :)

I would think that any sort of garden fence should keep the dogs penned unless they want to go and play with the boy or really don't like the idea of being penned up and start agressively working to get free. As for the toddler, he should be supervised anyway so the supervisor should keep him away from the fence and the fence need only be "sturdy" enough to slow down him down should he decide that he wants to go play with the dogs.

I guess I don't understand the difference between a "permanent" fence and what you're describing. Any fence can be removed it just the level of effort needed to remove it. You can cement in posts and then dig up the concrete when you're done.

That being said, I'd go with stakes drivein the ground as the previous posters said, or use the post-up as linked above. Those are designed for mailboxes and should have enough lateral resistance to do the job.

"We're in an HOA neighborhood"

I feelsorry for you.

Training a dog to use a certain area and not use other areas should be part of housebreaking training. I've had many dogs and haven't found that those with a stubborn streak are any more of a challenge for housebreaking than are the more trainable kind. You have nothing to lose by trying, use the dog's stubbornness as a reason the training didn't work but not as a reason to not try.

Every parent can make their own decisions, but to me, a kid who doesn't comply when told to stay away from the dog's bathroom area shouldn't be outside unsupervised. Which other of your directives will they ignore?

I have dogs and I use this material to make a movable boundry for the dogs' area. I don't use the stakes that come with them, because like I said, sometimes I move the fence. I use a couple of 3-ft metal t-posts.

Dogs don't like to potty in dirty grass any more then we would. Don't expect your dog to "go" in the same area every day unless you make an effort to properly clean it up.

Here is a link that might be useful: fence

What about just using an xpen? You can even connect a few together to make a larger area. I have a few I use at dog shows that are outside, I prefer them to using a crate when a particular dog isn't going into the ring. It is temporary, as in you could relocate it to a different area every few days or weeks so grass doesn't get worn down.

I would check into your HOA about even a temporary fence that you are putting into the ground as it may be considered prohibited. My sister was in a HOA and hers did not allow any fence, to include those stakes that you use for temporary fencing. She went with an invisible fence for her dog.

As soon as our dog goes potty I pick it up so I don't have to worry about a toddler stepping in it. My neighbors dogs do come over and go potty and sometimes our twins step in it which I agree is very irritating. They are 2 yrs old and now are realizing/learning that if they see dog poo, they are not to stomp on it but are to walk around it.

Here is a link that might be useful: xpen

"Don't expect your dog to "go" in the same area every day unless you make an effort to properly clean it up."

Yes, of course.