Posts Tagged ‘stop dog digging’
How to Stop Dogs from Digging
The two main reasons for dog digging are that your dog may be too hot or too cold. By digging and lying in a hole, your dog’s body temperature can be self-adjusted. Unlike humans, dogs can’t remove their clothing or add layers, so they have to come up with other ways to get relief from the weather conditions.
In addition, dogs dig due to boredom. Dogs can become very bored and restless when their owner is away for an extended period of time. Dogs that are left alone will create their own amusement. Alas, this is likely to be digging!
In order to stop dogs digging, it will be necessary to channel their behavior in other directions. Sometimes all you need to do is provide him with a safe digging area where there will be no repercussions. Some dog breeds have an instinctive tendency to dig. Extra patience will be needed with these breeds in order to stop dogs from digging.
For more information on how to stop your dog from digging, I recommend that you check out: Stop Dogs from Digging
The following tips should help to stop dogs from digging up your yard:
- Put an unpleasant “present” in the hole dug by your dog. Often dogs dig for a while, then leave the hole for a period of time, and return later to continue their digging activity. Place the surprise in the hole while your dog is away. Water sprayed with bitter apple is one suggestion (this is available at pet stores).
- Another way to stop dogs from digging is by filling the holes with waste found in your garden. Most dogs like to dig in clean dirt. Place rocks, sticks, mulch, and dead leaves in the hole and cover it with a light layer of soil. When your dog returns to his digging activities and finds these unwanted items in his hole, he will probably stop digging. If this isn’t successful, fill the hole and spray with bitter apple. Most dogs dislike the odor and will stop digging in that particular hole.
- Provide your dog with a special area where he can safely dig without repercussions. Digging is natural for dogs. It will probably take a while for you to teach your dog to confine his digging to that area but it is certaivly possible. One way to stop dogs from digging up your flowers is to provide them with an area in the garden where they can dig as much as they like.
This could be a sandbox or you could cordon off an area that is not landscaped. In order to teach your dog that he can dig in a particular spot, you should bury some treats where he can easily find them. If your dog has previously been chastized for his digging activities, he may require extra encouragement. As soon as he understands that digging in that area is permitted, he will be an overjoyed dog.
- Once you give your dog his own area in which to dig, you will need to maintain the excitement for him. Every so often, you should bury a toy or treat for him to find. Dogs get bored with digging the same patch of land and may find another spot in your garden more exciting.
Every so often, the sand or dirt in your dog’s digging patch should be changed. Dogs prefer fresh dirt to hard earth. As well, your dog will sometimes like to dig under the fence rather than in his own digging patch. Spread animal essence, which hunters use to draw out animals, over your flower beds. The smell of other animals may stop dogs from digging.
These tips will help to stop dogs from digging in areas other than the designated spots you have assigned to them. Don’t forget that digging is an instinct for dogs so they are not been mean when they dig up your flowers.
To stop your dog’s annoying digging behavior, make sure you check out: Stop Dogs from Digging