To keep dogs and cats from messing in your yard:
Get a bag or two of bentonite/clay cat litter, a couple large bottles of thyme leaf and peppermint leaves. Layer it all in a five gallon (plastic, a la deli) bucket, stirring it all up. Sprinkle on the lawn, flowers, etc. Eco friendly, safe and for some reason dogs don't like the smell of it. Lasts at least 3 mos, even with rain. I use it and it works!

I get the thyme from the Dollar Store, and the peppermint grows in my yard.