How to Stop My Dogs Digging Problem ?

 

 

“Dog” and “dig” are as close as they sound. Digging is dog’s natural behaviour. But this not so pleasant performance may become a cause of embarrassment for the dog’s owner.

A well manicured lawn with those unwanted holes, a broken fence, uprooted plants, variety of specimen of rodent’s showcased right in the middle of your drawing room, are just a few out of many problems faced by the dog owners due to digging.

Every dog digs though the reasons behind digging may vary.

 

  • Digging Out Of Boredom

 

Dog is man’s best friend. That also makes the man dog’s best friend! But if this dear dog is left without any playmate then what will he do? He will dig. Digging for dogs is a way of getting entertained and dispelling their boredom. Digging becomes the most common problem with the dogs whose owners are not at home or are not interacting with the dog for long hours.

If this is the reason behind those craters in your lawn, then following few simple techniques you can get the situation under control. Dogs are happy when active therefore:

 

  1. Take your dog for long walks before leaving and after coming to home. If not walk, exercise the dog through playing.
  2. Introduce a variety of toys like boomer balls, Frisbee, buster cube and a lot of kong toys. Spread them in your lawn with some treats hidden in them. This will keep the dog away from digging even in your absence. Keep on rotating the toys thus making them appear new and interesting to your dog.
  3.  Avoid giving the food containing high levels of sugar, chemicals and preservatives. Such food aggravates the dog’s energy levels. The vets recommend high quality premium hard kibble.

 

 

 

·     Temperature Maintenance

Mostly at warmer places, the dogs need to bring down their body temperature. As they cannot shed clothes, they dig holes to stay cool. The dog feels comfortable and protected in such holes and thus cannot stop digging them. For situation like this:

1.    Provide a good shady area in your backyard.

2.    Make the dog house comfortable and well ventilated. Encourage him to stay within it from the first day of his arrival.

3.    In hot weather, cut short the dog’s hair.

4.    If possible, pamper your dog with a small wading pool.

 

 

 

·     Seeking Escape

This problem occurs in most of the un-neutered male dogs. Many dogs that felt ignored by the owner also try to escape through digging. This is a crucial issue and if your dog is trying to escape via digging, it is a prominent sign of many behavioural problems under laid ahead.

To solve your dog’s anxiety under such circumstances, you must consult a professional dog trainer and a vet.

 

 

Dog Training Works

 

The correct training of obedience and mannerism given to the dog at right time can reduce the damage caused due to this natural habit of the dog. We cannot train the dog for not digging, and also we should not! Rather we can guide this faithful creature the correct place to dig.

1.    To train the dog for digging without any repercussions, create a digging pit for him. Fill it with sand. If possible and in your budget, cover the pit with a lush green grass carpet. To keep his interest in that pit, periodically hide some treat filled toys for him to dig.

2.    Tell him firm “No” whenever he digs at a wrong place and praise him for the correct act.

3.    Do not forget to take an obedience class with the dog everyday.

4.    Do not scold him or spank him with the newspaper if you find him digging at a wrong place. This will leave him frustrated and can hamper your relation with the dog. Believe it, if he is digging the wrong place, there is a flaw in your training!

 

Tips:

To discourage the existing digging habit:



  • Hide and unpleasant and unwanted surprise like bitter apple spray in the hole dug by the dog. This will immediately stop him from further digging.
  •    Use the natural stuff like dead leaves, mulch, sticks, and rocks under a layer of mud, to cover the existing hole.