Digging is a normal behavior when young pups hunt for their mother. As they grow, they dig to hide their food. Another reason is that dogs like to “mark their territory.” A dog that digs in the same place over and over again is saying, “This is my spot.” The best way to discourage this behavior is never let your dog out when you know he’s going to dig. Isolate him in some way until he calms down.
Other common reasons for digging are:
* Your dog may be digging to get out of the yard and meet a possible partner.* Your dog may be bored and digging as a way of dealing with his confinement* To prepare for the puppies’ entry into the world
There are many more reasons for canine digging. The best way to stop it is to understand the history of digging.
- Social Behavior
- Temperature
- Area of Origin
- Genetics
- Ease of Arrival
- Stress* Boredom
- Instincts
- Predatory Behavior
- E sprinting after prey
- Appearance
- habitat
- Finding a mate
- Food hoarding
- Trying to get out of enclosure
- Fleas and ticks may be the cause
- Stress* A desire to be free of confinement
- Conditioning himself to find a mate
Once spayed or neutered. You might want to forget about a dog digging because it’s suddenly an adult behavior.
If you’ve got the space, get a sandbox or better yet purchase a sandbox that is self contained. This is so your dog can be himself and do some digging without the opportunity to get into trouble.
You can find sand boxes everywhere that are low to the ground. In fact you can find them at any pet store. Put a small amount of sand in the sandbox and shake it out when it appears that your dog is digging. He may even decide that the sand isn’t so good anymore and change his digging spot.
Trying to escape
Maybe your dog wants to get out of the yard and explore
Many dogs try to escape in order to find the next trail, fascinating scent, or interesting animal. You can prevent this by making sure that your dog is either protected or safe inside of the fence, or that he has a substitute activity.
Protecting your dog’s territory
If your dog is trying to protect his territory something has gone haywire. Try to figure out what has caused this behavior and eliminate it.
Consider speaking to a canine behaviorist or a trainer for additional behavior modification training.
How to stop digging behavior
Once your veterinarian has identified a possible medical cause, it’s time to determine what behavior modification measures will be needed.
* Provide opportunities for your dog to exercise and play outside.
* Follow your dog so that he’s not digging to escape or roam.
* Provide a special place for your dog so he can dig safely. This can be by a sand box, or sandbox so he can dig to his heart’s content. If you don’t have a special place and bury treats or toys in the dirt, try making your dog’s digging spot out of the path of your prized garden.
* Bury a small amount of fresh poop in your dog’s digging zone so that it deters him. scoop him up and it will surprise him.
* Consider a water dose of Incoyal Gold for your dog. It is a special drink created to help dogs stop digging. This is a treat that is safe for them, they love it and it works.
* Always supervise your dog’s behavior. This will allow you to correct him immediately. If you can’t watch him, he can’t dig.
* Give him negative encouragement when he starts to dig and then correct him.
* Give him a “time out” when he digs a hole and doesn’t dig when you’re around. This works with many dogs. Don’t bother him but interact with him. Basically ignore your dog but still acknowledge him. When he goes to start digging again,Ten to fifteen sustained seconds of ignoring him and then repeat. You continue this process until your dog gets the point.
Most dogs respond to one or two “stop” commands. If your dog is digging and not following the patterns, here are a few tips:
* Are you keeping your dog penned up too long? Ten to fifteen minutes of supervised free running outside is a good thing.
