Stop Dogs from Digging
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
By Sandra Scott
Your dog may be digging because he is too hot or too cold. Your dog is able to adjust his body temperature by digging and lying in a hole. Different from people, dogs have no way to add or remove layers so they have to get relief from weather conditions in other ways.
In addition, dogs dig due to boredom. When a dog owner is away from the home all day, dogs can become extremely bored. A dog that is left alone will find ways to entertain himself. Alas, this is likely to be digging!
To stop dogs from digging, their behavior needs to be redirected towards other activities. Often all that is required is that they be given a safe spot for digging without any possibility of consequences. Certain dog breeds are inherently prone to digging. Extra patience will be needed with these breeds in order to stop dogs from digging.
For more information on how to stop your dog from digging, I recommend that you check out: Stop Dogs from Digging
The following tips should help to stop dogs from digging up your yard:
- Put an unpleasant “present” in the hole dug by your dog. Frequently, a dog will begin digging, take a break from the hole, and come back later to carry on digging. While your dog is taking his break from digging, you should put the surprise in the hole. Water sprayed with bitter apple is one suggestion (this is available at pet stores).
- Placing garden waste in the holes is one way to stop your dog from digging. Clean dirt is preferred by most dogs. Place rocks, sticks, mulch, and dead leaves in the hole and cover it with a light layer of soil. When your dog returns to his digging activities and finds these unwanted items in his hole, he will probably stop digging. If you find that this doesn’t work, try filling the hole and spraying it with bitter apple. As the majority of dogs do not like the odor, they will stop digging in the hole.
- Your dog should be provided with a designated area where he can dig to his heart’s delight. Digging is instinctive for dogs. Training your dog to dig just in that spot may take time but it is possible. Stop your dog from digging in your back yard by giving him his own spot where he is free to dig holes.
You could use a sandbox or fence off a portion of your garden that has not been landscaped. If you bury a few dog treats that your dog can find, this will teach him that he is free to dig in that spot. Your dog may need to be given additional encouragement if you have already reprimanded him for digging. Once he realizes that he is allowed to dig in that area, he will be a happy dog.
- As soon as your dog as his own digging patch, the excitement will need to be kept up for him. Once in a while, a toy or snack should be buried as a surprise for him. As dogs get bored with digging in the same area, he may decide that another part of your backyard looks more interesting.
Occasionally, you should replace the dirt in your dog’s digging area. Dogs prefer fresh dirt to hard earth. There will also be times when your dog will prefer your flowerbed to his own digging area. Spray your flower borders with animal essence, which hunters use to tempt animals. The odor from other animals may discourage your dog’s digging.
These tips will help to stop dogs from digging in areas other than the designated spots you have assigned to them. Dogs are not being mean when they dig under your fence as this is instinctive behavior for them.
To stop your dog’s annoying digging behavior, make sure you check out: Stop Dogs from Digging
Technorati Tags: No Tags
Related Tags: No Tags
Possible Related Posts
How to Prevent Dog from DiggingIdeas to Stop Dog DiggingStop Dog Digging - Techniques to Prevent Your Dog From Causing Destruction and Driving You Crazy
