How can I stop animals from chewing my propane tank hose connected to my patio heater?

The hose is typical-kind of a hard black rubber outside. The hose was long and some of it was laying on the ground and maybe that was the problem. But some kind of animal chewed some little holes through the rubber creating a leak. My area is prone to squirrels, maybe mice or racoons. I live in a semi wooded condo. Is there anything I can put on the hose to deter them from chewing it again? I did buy a shorter hose that does not touch the ground.