| There are mixed feelings when we see our dogs | | | | To remedy this, you can play with the dog |
| digging. On the one hand, it's a bit of a | | | | inside at around this time, or simply adjust |
| natural delight -- "Aw bless, look at him | | | | your walking times and take the dog out |
| go!". On the other hand, it can cause an | | | | during this period in the day.2. Create a |
| absolute nightmare for our well-laid gardens | | | | play areaIf you look at the behaviour of |
| -- "Rover! You've just ruined my flowerbed!". | | | | young children, you may notice a similarity. |
| So if you find yourself asking "How do I stop | | | | How often have you seen kids who run riot in |
| my dog from digging", let me provide a few | | | | the house, often in favoured rooms with |
| tips for you.Firstly it may be of some | | | | expensive china or glasses? You may also |
| interest to know precisely why dogs do dig. | | | | notice that a solution to limit the range of |
| There are a number of potential reasons, but | | | | rough 'n' tumble -- without limiting their |
| here are some of the most common reasons: 1. | | | | childish enthusiasm -- is to create a |
| Dogs treasure their possessions, including | | | | specialised play area, such as a sandpit. You |
| food treats, and often store them in a place | | | | can do the same thing with your dog, |
| difficult to locate; sometimes this can be | | | | identifying a good patch in your garden, |
| amid all the junk in the attic, but more | | | | filling it with specialist soil, and laden it |
| often it is underground. They dig to either | | | | with treats and toys. You may well find that |
| bury or retrieve their possessions. 2. | | | | it becomes the dog's favourite spot.3. Give |
| Genetics demand that certain breeds of dog | | | | your dog plenty of attentionOften a dog will |
| dig to rid the area of rodents; a friend of | | | | dig because it is bored. If you find your dog |
| mine who owns a Rhodesian Ridgeback swears | | | | digging, try going to play with it, using a |
| that the dog circles a small area of ground | | | | toy as bait. Your dog will be more receptive |
| before lying down, simply to ensure there are | | | | than you think much of the time.Ultimately, |
| no creepy crawlies. 3. Often dogs will dig a | | | | when it comes to the time-honoured question |
| hole to use as a mini-HQ; the earth can be | | | | of "How do I stop my dog from digging", there |
| particularly cooling in the warm seasons.So | | | | are a number of potential causes and |
| if you wish to stop your dog from digging, it | | | | remedies, and it is a case of finding a |
| is important to get a balance. Here are some | | | | balance. You do not want to clamp down on |
| tricks you can try:1. Exhaust the mutt!This | | | | your dog's natural instincts, yet you also |
| is a bit of a no-brainer, but it works like | | | | want to ensure that those instincts are |
| gangbusters. Make a mental note of the | | | | practiced within your rules. Such a |
| typical times when your dog likes to dig, and | | | | compromise is possible if you observe the |
| you may well notice a recurring pattern. This | | | | steps outlined above.Hugh Campbell owns a |
| could be in part due to the fact that your | | | | West Highland Terrier that he comprehensively |
| dog "peaks" at this time, and their recoiled | | | | trained himself. |
| energy is invested into digging activities. | | | | |