Subscribe Feed (RSS)How Do I Stop my Dog from Digging - 3 Tips to Train Your Dog
December 17th, 2011 by admin | No Comments | Filed in UncategorizedThere are mixed feelings when we see our dogs digging. On the one hand, it’s a bit of a natural delight — “Aw bless, look at him go!”. On the other hand, it can cause an absolute nightmare for our well-laid gardens — “Rover! You’ve just ruined my flowerbed!”. So if you find yourself asking “How do I stop my dog from digging”, let me provide a few tips for you.
Firstly it may be of some interest to know precisely why dogs do dig. There are a number of potential reasons, but here are some of the most common reasons: 1. Dogs treasure their possessions, including food treats, and often store them in a place difficult to locate; sometimes this can be amid all the junk in the attic, but more often it is underground. They dig to either bury or retrieve their possessions. 2. Genetics demand that certain breeds of dog dig to rid the area of rodents; a friend of mine who owns a Rhodesian Ridgeback swears that the dog circles a small area of ground before lying down, simply to ensure there are no creepy crawlies. 3. Often dogs will dig a hole to use as a mini-HQ; the earth can be particularly cooling in the warm seasons.
So if you wish to stop your dog from digging, it is important to get a balance. Here are some tricks you can try:
1. Exhaust the mutt!
This is a bit of a no-brainer, but it works like gangbusters. Make a mental note of the typical times when your dog likes to dig, and you may well notice a recurring pattern. This could be in part due to the fact that your dog “peaks” at this time, and their recoiled energy is invested into digging activities. To remedy this, you can play with the dog inside at around this time, or simply adjust your walking times and take the dog out during this period in the day.
2. Create a play area
If you look at the behaviour of young children, you may notice a similarity. How often have you seen kids who run riot in the house, often in favoured rooms with expensive china or glasses? You may also notice that a solution to limit the range of rough ‘n’ tumble — without limiting their childish enthusiasm — is to create a specialised play area, such as a sandpit. You can do the same thing with your dog, identifying a good patch in your garden, filling it with specialist soil, and laden it with treats and toys. You may well find that it becomes the dog’s favourite spot.
3. Give your dog plenty of attention
Often a dog will dig because it is bored. If you find your dog digging, try going to play with it, using a toy as bait. Your dog will be more receptive than you think much of the time.
Ultimately, when it comes to the time-honoured question of “How do I stop my dog from digging”, there are a number of potential causes and remedies, and it is a case of finding a balance. You do not want to clamp down on your dog’s natural instincts, yet you also want to ensure that those instincts are practiced within your rules. Such a compromise is possible if you observe the steps outlined above.
Hugh Campbell owns a West Highland Terrier that he comprehensively trained himself. If you would like to find out how to successfully train your dog, feel free to visit: ( hottestpicksonline.com/TrainYourDog.html hottestpicksonline.com/TrainYourDog.html)
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