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Article #159: Dog Training: Tips And Tricks To Stop Your Dog From Digging In Your Yard

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It's downright infuriating to look out TO FILL OR NOT TO FILL ..... EXISTING
the window and see Buddy digging another HOLES
hole in the yard. You yell out the The second part of the story is.....
window; he may or may not even What to do with the holes that keep
acknowledge he's heard anything; then reappearing, no matter what you do? Have
back to the digging. This dog behavior you back-filled holes dug by your dog
has got to stop. only to find them dug again, over and
WHY DOGS DIG..... over?
Did you ever stop to think WHY Buddy When this happens, the next stage of
digs? (except to make you mad!). This is hole-filling is called for.
the real trick - to figure out why he's You might think this next step it
digging in the first place, the involves yelling at your dog, or rapping
motivation behind the dog behavior. Then on the window. Nope. Are you really going
you can take dog training steps to to stand and stare out the window hoping
discourage it, redirect that energy and to correct the situation while it's
possibly stop it completely. happening (which would be the only way to
1. I'M BORED! really correct it using this method)?
Location: Digging along the fence lines TECHNIQUES FOR "FILLING" HOLES
and at the gate. There are two better techniques to
Why? He is bored and wants to get out for encourage your dog to rethink digging
some action. that hole.
Solution: Provide more exercise for your The easier of the two is to fill the hole
dog, both physical and mental. The more until almost full. Mix the last portion
exercise the better, according to your of dirt with dog poo, pinecones, moth
dog. A tired, happy dog will rest nicely balls, or other repelling non-harmful
between great outings. substance. The next time your dog arrives
2. I'M HOT!! for the big dig, he quickly finds the
Location: Digging along the edge of the game has changed. Most dogs quickly
house or shallow "pits," especially in change their behavior.
the heat of the summer. The second method is more time consuming
Why? Your dog is most likely creating a but effective. Cut a section of chicken
cool spot in the cool under-earth. If wire or similar to cover the hole plus 8
under the porch, he's creating a den. inches or more. Dig a hole a few inches
Solution: Check to make sure you are deep that surrounds the hole and will fit
providing fresh cool water throughout the the wire shape.
day and night. Fill the hole and then press wire in
Is there adequate shade to protect your place and cover with dirt. Pack the area
dog from the hot sun? Is good air well, particularly around the wire edges.
circulation available or possibly a nice When your dog returns, the wire will stop
breeze? Or is the space filled with his digging progress.
stagnant air? If along a fence line, secure the wire to
Provide plant life (trees, bushes) for the fence along the inside of the fence,
shelter from the hot sun. Cool grass just a short distance from the ground.
keeps the ground heat down. When the wire gets to the ground, keep
3. IT'S JUST MY NATURE! going vertically a short distance
Sometimes it's the breed of dog, not so underground. Then bend the wire so the
much the environment. Some breeds tend to bottom is perpendicular to the top (forms
be burrowers -- hounds, huskies, an L). Bury the horizontal part
malamutes are a few examples. underground inside the fence, pointing
Solution: If this is the case, work with away from the fence. When your dog digs
your dog to agree on a place he can do he is stopped by the wire and his weight
his thing and camouflage it with on the earth helps keep the wire in
something like plants or fencing. place. The result is the dog gives up on
4. I LIKE IT!! that area.
Some dogs just like to dig, and dig they Pretty cool, huh?!
will, no matter how much you yell and CONCLUSION
scream. We humans see digging as bad dog
Solution: Create and help them with the behavior. Dogs don't, and they dig for
ideal digging place -- a sandy blend with different reasons. If you can figure out
hidden treasures that reward digging at why they're digging, you can put dog
that spot. Having a prepared area training steps in place to stop it. Some
encourages the digger to focus the dogs dig, that's what they do. Set them
digging to the area you set up in an up a space to dig and you both win!
out-of-the-way place. Remember to keep Try these dog training techniques to
the area stocked with assorted treats and change unwanted dog behavior. They
toys. seriously work.






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