How to cure a digging problem?

[Zimmerrr]

I have 2 Dogs that are SO into digging! This started recently, and we have stopped them when they do it and reprimand them - But they just don't stop! We've covered the holes and they just keep digging!! Help!! It might be the pregnant female, and my other girl just follows her digging lead because it's fun for them? :confused:

[lindsayanng]

Make a specific DIGGING spot.. they have an urge to dig that you cant stop, but you CAN give them a place to dig that they will learn is ok. Basically, a dog that wants to dig will, but he will do so in a place where he gets the least resistence from his owners. he doesnt WANT to make you mad, but he cant fight the urge..

I found that cappy LOVES to dig in sand, so made a little sandbox for him. he LOVES it and now, he isnt digging holes all over my front yard for people to step in and break their ankles.

You can show them the correct place to dig by burying treats in the RIGHT place and when they find the treats praise them, and continue to correct them if they dig in the wrong place..

[gwynetham]

My dog was digging the carpet when I first moved. I found a "no dig" spray that is non-toxic. Doesn't smell very strong to us but the dogs hate it! That worked. He stopped digging holes in the carpet and did not start again after I stopped using the spray a few weeks later.

[gwynetham]

Sorry! I forgot to mention you spray it on the area not at the dog.

[Zimmerrr]

Thanks for your help a little thing of sand sounds great and occupying for them!! & I wouldn't spray it on the dog LOL but thank you lots!

[Blur]

I use my voice "NO DIGG" every time ,but work only I stay :D

So I give some house area to him ,and let him dig :p

[lindsayanng]

yea. I just found that you cant really stop a digger from digging. You spray the yard, he will find the one place thats not sprayed (although i cant imagine a spray stopping a dog anyways)

A sand pit is GREAT because the sand is easier for them to dig in, so they are immediately attracted to it.. and its easy to keep up and VERY VERY cheap

[wishbone]

My dog was digging the carpet when I first moved. I found a "no dig" spray that is non-toxic. Doesn't smell very strong to us but the dogs hate it! That worked. He stopped digging holes in the carpet and did not start again after I stopped using the spray a few weeks later.

We also have Pet Organics No Dig lawn and yard spray and it is very effective.

[Alapaha]

I agree with the DIGGING SPOT idea. I had a problem with my dogs digging up my grass all over the yard. One of my dogs had the habit of burying his bones and going back to get them later. So we built a sandbox in the corner of the yard. It's basically a 5X5 ft square filled with sand(with wooden border). Well, it was a gamble but it worked. The dogs dug up the sandbox quite frequently and almost completely stopped digging in the yard. Now the behavior is much less frequent and I don't even consider it a problem anymore.

[DawgLvr]

In a large percentage of cases, the reasons for destructive doggie behavior has to do with their being bored. When you say that "both" of them have digging issues rather than just one, this reinforces the possibility of boredom being the case.

How much attention are you paying them? Are you away at work a lot? Is this when they do it the most?

If so, do something to keep them occupied, like buying them some Kong Toys, fill them with soft food and freeze them overnight. Give them to them before you leave for work and that should keep them busy for hours.

Just a thought.

[dogaddict]

My dog has a designated digging spot in the backyard too. We found chicken wire very effective for covering up the other holes he was NOT supposed to be making when we were training him to get to the digging spot.

[Kkye]

i have the same problem, Kye is digging holes RIGHT in front of the house, and a sandbox is a good idea, but the cats will crap in there like no tomorrow! and then i have a cat-crap smelly puppy!

[jennasmith45]

Diiging problem can be easily resolve if you know how to proprely tackle the problem.

I've found this site that gives best adviced for how to stop dog digging (http://www.squidoo.com/ways-to-stop-your-dog-digging).

[AmandaBB]

Both my dogs dig but that's because they chase lizards all the time and those sometimes go inside snake holes. I cover those up whenever I see on and that helps but my yard still has a bunch of holes in it.

I try to see it from the positive side though. At least this way if a burglar ever comes into our 1.8 acre yard, after he either breaks the lock or climbs over the 6 foot fence, and actually gets passed our 2 80 pound dogs he'll probably break his ankle. ;)

[micgrajon76]

I think I'm going to pass the sandbox tip on to my neighbor! Their dog keeps digging holes under their fence into my backyard. I've brought it to their attention twice and all she does is apologize and say "He's a puppy, he'll grow out of it." Grrrrrrrrr....:mad:

[theresa92841]

I think I'm going to pass the sandbox tip on to my neighbor! Their dog keeps digging holes under their fence into my backyard. I've brought it to their attention twice and all she does is apologize and say "He's a puppy, he'll grow out of it." Grrrrrrrrr....:mad:

My new puppy wants to dig at the fence line also. But only where there is no grass. So I covered all those areas with bricks for now. I have also found that she doesn't like to dig in rock. So some places I also filled in the holes with big rocks (like river rock). That was enough to discourage her.