This is actually a question to help out my neighbors. Their dog is starting to dig holes around their yard and they came to me asking for suggestions.
Since Morgan has never been a digger, I was at a bit of a loss off the top of my head, but offered to ask around for advice.
The dog is a rescue. I think she's about 18 months old, though they've had her for a little less than a year.
Anyway, she has recently started digging in the yard. They narrowed it down to a boredom thing, and have been doing their best to redirect her with playtime, exercise, and mental stimulation. However, the second they stop to do something else (work in the garden, fire up the grill, answer the phone, etc.), the dog is digging up the yard. So it's something that happens when they aren't paying immediate attention.
She is not left in the yard alone. If she is out, at least one of her owners are out with her, even if just for a quick potty break.
We discussed the possibilities of giving her a sandbox/designated dig area. They seemed open to that idea, though I think they would rather find a way to have her not dig in general. We also tried to brainstorm some other games they could teach her to play by herself, basically find something MORE fun than digging while their attention is diverted. As great as that sounds, all of us were kind of at a loss as to what options there are in that regard.
I tried searching the forum, and learned about the poop trick. (Can I say... eww? LOL!) I'm hoping I might find a few more suggestions to give them before I turn into the weird neighbor that encourages them to bury poop around their yard. :rofl1:
My neighbors really, really, really want to do right by her, and are all about finding positive solutions. I really want to help them out!
Thanks in advance.
Since Morgan has never been a digger, I was at a bit of a loss off the top of my head, but offered to ask around for advice.
The dog is a rescue. I think she's about 18 months old, though they've had her for a little less than a year.
Anyway, she has recently started digging in the yard. They narrowed it down to a boredom thing, and have been doing their best to redirect her with playtime, exercise, and mental stimulation. However, the second they stop to do something else (work in the garden, fire up the grill, answer the phone, etc.), the dog is digging up the yard. So it's something that happens when they aren't paying immediate attention.
She is not left in the yard alone. If she is out, at least one of her owners are out with her, even if just for a quick potty break.
We discussed the possibilities of giving her a sandbox/designated dig area. They seemed open to that idea, though I think they would rather find a way to have her not dig in general. We also tried to brainstorm some other games they could teach her to play by herself, basically find something MORE fun than digging while their attention is diverted. As great as that sounds, all of us were kind of at a loss as to what options there are in that regard.
I tried searching the forum, and learned about the poop trick. (Can I say... eww? LOL!) I'm hoping I might find a few more suggestions to give them before I turn into the weird neighbor that encourages them to bury poop around their yard. :rofl1:
My neighbors really, really, really want to do right by her, and are all about finding positive solutions. I really want to help them out!
Thanks in advance.
