Stop a Dog From Digging Period!
09 Dec 2009
To stop dog from digging and lower your own stress level, try understanding his motivations, and find an appropriate resolution.
Plenty more on stop a dog digging here
Its pretty hard to control dog training through traditional training methods.
Training doesn’t work well on digging, because it’s a behavior that is hardwired into your dog’s instincts. Certain things trigger the impulse to dig; once triggered, it won’t stop. Not, that is, unless you remove the thing that triggered it.
It can be difficult to understand your dogs motivations as it can appear pretty pointless to us. Sometimes figuring out the motivation behind the digging is difficult for us, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.
But even if his digging seems pointless, it isn’t. There are several reasons digging is such a powerful urge. It’s connected to many of a dog’s natural survival instincts.
For example, if you dog’s digging seems to be concentrated along the edge of his fenced play area, or at a gate, the instinct that’s driving him is that to escape. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s afraid of something inside the fence, or wants to “run away, ” though–dogs also try to dig out simply to explore, or because being enclosed just triggers the urge to have more space.
There’s another instinct that can cause the impulse to dig. That is the desire to hunt. Some dogs are more likely to respond to hunting impulses this way. Terriers, for example. However, any breed of dog may manifest hunting instincts through digging. To pinpoint this cause, watch your dog’s behavior and location while digging. If he seems excited and inspects the hole often, sniffing and wagging his tail, that’s probably what’s happening.
Digging has proven a versatile behavior for survival, so there are other instincts linked to it as well. These include hiding and hoarding impulses–like when your dog buries bones, and seeking protection from the elements.
For more on stop a dog digging
Understanding a few basics may help lessen or remove digging altogether. The first is that punishment for digging does not work. Sternly reprimanding your dog if you catch him while digging may help,it will stop the digging at the time,for a short while at least.
Second, if you take away whatever it is that is causing him to dig, then he will get the message.If he is digging as a means of escape, stop him by lodging some stones where he digs.If he digs for protection our possibly out of fear then don’t leave him outside on his own or give him appropriate shelter
Lastly, boredom and anxiety make digging behaviors escalate. These can result from spending too much time alone. Be sure you spend time together training, and playing. Teaching him games that provide mental and physical exercise helps too,games like fetching or catch.
Digging is an instinct, and you can’t get rid of your dog’s instincts. Dogs are not as smart as we are(generally!)and if you plan properly you have a good chance of tackling this problem and permanently stop a dog from digging.
For more help on stop a dog digging
