How can I keep porcupines away so my dog will stop getting quilled?

[rasberryhoneysuckle]

I have 3 large outdoor dogs.  Sweet, lovable, and have almost 40 acres of roaming territory they are allowed to cover.  So plenty of space, but, apparently porcupines really love this space too!  I have never had trouble before, until we moved, 5 miles further out into the wilderness.  Our nearest neighbor being a mile away, completley undeveloped area, bordered by timber land that goes for miles.  This puts us about 1/2 hour from the nearest town now.  I have heard that once a dog has been quilled they either learn from it and never again or they develop hatred for porcupines and get quilled every time.  One of my dogs has done just that.  He hates porcupines.  I can usually get all or most out myself but have to take him in quite often to the vet too, which is getting expensive.  They nicknamed him "Quills!"  He has been quilled over 10 times, first time this year 2011, since the porcupines are out of hibernation.  The rest of the times happened last year.  My question, besides locking the dogs up at night, does anybody know a good trick to deter the porcupines from our land?  Or the dogs from the porcupines?  I don't want to lock the dogs up, they are meant to protect my family, and if they are locked up, they can't protect us.

[Margot49]

Got my interest. LOL!!
Here are a couple of links.

http://www.bugspray.com/articles99/porcupines.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6566668_rid-porcupines.html

the other thing I'm reading is to call some company out to trap them or set traps out yourself.  

Or, I guess you could sit on the porch with a shotgun.  :-)  Kidding, just kidding.  LOL

[Margot49]

Wow,that has to hurt and I'd be afraid the dogs would loose an eye.
Well, I'm pretty much a City kid but understand your predicament.  Maybe fence in an area around the house to keep the dogs contained at  night but they would still be outside to guard the property.
I think I'd try to talk to other people in the area and see if they have/had this problem and maybe they have ideas that might help you.  

[smileyhappy]

I have a large dog too.  We have a dog park here near the marsh bush area. Some dogs have been quilled by the porcupines.  Owners started putting bells on their collars and that seems to work. Hope this helps you.  Smileyhappy.