digging dog

[busymomof6]

I know it's probably in here somewhere and I did a search but couldn't find what I needed. I have a rescue dog, actually two that like to dig in the yard. I know I should supervise them more, but I have four under the age of 9 and I can't keep my eyes on the dog at all times. They do two types of digging. First, they scruff up the top to lay in fresh dirt (i guess it's cooler) and then they dig for China. I read if you fill the holes with poop they won't dig again there - but won't they dig somewhere else, and what about the top grazing - how do i stop them. I have caught them in the act and reprimanded them but we know how well that works. One is 9months and the other is @ 2yrs.

 

[Rubylove]

I have caught them in the act and reprimanded them but we know how well that works.

Actually, that does work, but you need to be consistent and give them an alternative.

Digging is a natural behaviour for a dog - you won't be able to get them to stop, so you need to teach them that there are spots it's ok for them to dig, and that the rest of the place is off limits. SO hard for you to do with all your children!

So, why don't you make it a game? Get your older kids in on it and teach them at the same time as teaching your dogs.

Dogs will dig for many reasons other than their natural behaviours but the two main ones are boredom and lack of exercise. What do they have to do, and how much exercise do they get?

 

[busymomof6]

they play with each other a ton, and I've given them one spot by the gate they can tear up. I do need to be better about trying to throw things for them to get, but they usually end up playing tug with each other and forget about me. If I put one in the house they bark, whine and scratch at the door to get to the other one. I need to work on leash work, so I can take them out for walks, but they both have leash issues, the hurrican katrina dog - which is the lab - fights you like your the dog catcher. and the fluffy white mutt - loves to run and escape, so the whole time on the leash she is trying to figure out how to get free. I guess you just convicted me I need to spend more time than just petting, loving and brushing. Maybe I'll get their Kongs out to keep them busy when I can't be exercising them. Thanks.

 

[SummerRiot]

We have three dogs here that LIVE to dig lol

What I have been doing is collecting their poop, dropping it in each of their holes - however deep and then putting top soil on top of it. They soon learned that whever there is top soil - or loose soil - there is an unpleasent surprise awaiting them lol

I haven't seen them dig lately!

 

[busymomof6]

thanks - i already started that, but good to know it works, I hear it from someone in the neighborhood and wasn't sure if it worked. It seemed to have sound reasoning behind it, I was just hoping to find a way to stop them from digging new holes.

 

[Zoom]

It does work pretty well, you just have to be consistant with it. Cayenne pepper also works for some dogs, though I've met more than a few who ended up having a taste for the stuff.

Maybe you could get a big plastic baby pool, fill it with sand and then hide some special treats in there? This way they would get to fufill their urge to dig, but in an approved spot. Keep up with the deterrants in the yard so they are reinforced to keep their digging activites limited to the sand pit.

 

[busymomof6]

Wow cool idea and i happen to have an old sandbox - probably less messy than dirt too. Thanks i'll give it a try. the kids will think its for them but to bad sooo sad the doggies get toys too.

 

[Brattina88]

you've been given some good advice on the issue they beat me too it lol

Perhaps if you post another thread on their leash issues you can work on that as well. I'd bet they'd be a lot more calmer in the house and outside if they get some walkies

 

[Rubylove]

Yep the sandbox is great - that's what we have for our puppers and now it's a game because we bury some of their toys and treats in it so they really are only interested in digging in there now, because they now good things await! (apart from the simple joy of just digging, of course...lol)

Um, and by the way, if you've got six kids and two dogs I think you're doing a DARN fine job just getting to the loving and petting! But more toys would probably be good - interactive ones, too, that they have to work out.

Also, and this is great, if you freeze bones floating in beef/chicken stock and then give them to them, they gotta lick through all the frozen ice stock to get to the bone, and then they get a frozen bone to occupy them for ages! Cheap, easy, and they love it. You can also freeze their toys or normal treats like pig's ears in stock, too. And if they like peanut butter then stuff their Kongs with that and freeze that too - hours of entertainment and also fulfills their mental stimulation needs by allowing them to lick and chew for hours (natural behaviour again) and also work out how to get to the frozen bone/toy/treat or the frozen peanut butter inside the Kong.

 

[Carolyn]

hehhe yep the poop in the holes works a treat here. Max gets it in his head every now and then to dig a hole. Believe me they hate the thought of touching their own body waste :lol-sign:

 

[Rubylove]

hehhe yep the poop in the holes works a treat here. Max gets it in his head every now and then to dig a hole. Believe me they hate the thought of touching their own body waste :lol-sign:

Unless they are eating it!

 

[Carolyn]

LOL ewww yeah I guess I hadn't thought of that lol. Max is such a cry baby, if I haven't had a chance to do a poop scoop of the yard, and there's one piece of his there. When you throw the ball for him he will not go fetch it if it has rolled near his poop.

He's such a girly boy :lol-sign:

 

[Rubylove]

LOL ewww yeah I guess I hadn't thought of that lol. Max is such a cry baby, if I haven't had a chance to do a poop scoop of the yard, and there's one piece of his there. When you throw the ball for him he will not go fetch it if it has rolled near his poop.

He's such a girly boy :lol-sign:

Har har that's a classic! Chester is like that, too - he will NOT poop in public. He'll only pee if he has to but he's getting better at that. Whereas Miss Ruby does not feel complete unless she has had at least two and up to five poops on any outing. I love it!

 

[SummerRiot]

Riot will pee on anything he finds or on some of his toys - yes.. he will mark his own toys so the Shelties wont touch them..

BUT heaven forbid if his toy landed on his poop.. He'd TRY and get it without touching the poop part of the toy.. but hes never successfull lol

He always paces around it whining... lol

 

[busymomof6]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I will keep trying your suggestions.