Do your dogs love to dig holes and any ideas on how to stop them in a humane way

1. 76

   Charluposted 12 years ago

   Do your dogs love to dig holes and any ideas on how to stop them in a humane way?
   
   This photo is courtesy of dogbreedinfo.com but when I saw it I couldn't help but think I would need a break too.  So is there any way of stopping a dog from digging?  I have acreage so a spray repellent is out because I would need 50 gallon containers and the horses of course. I am ready for new ideas before they get as bad as the hogs or this picture.
   
   

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2. 60

   Green Lotusposted 12 years ago

   Rather than stop them from what comes naturally, why not provide them with a dog garden of their own and train them to use that area? I have a hub on how to create one Good luck.

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3. 0

   Sean Tankersleyposted 12 years ago

   When my dog was a puppy (now 2.5-years-old) she would dig regularly and I tried my best to keep an on her when she was outside so I could catch her in the act. Whenever I did, I would scold her pretty heavily, but nothing more. Gradually she stopped digging less and less and now she no longer does unless she's chasing a mole.

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4. 61

   Dubuquedogtrainerposted 12 years ago

   Digging is a natural behavior for dogs. As one responder already alluded, designate a digging spot specifically for the dogs. Sand or dirt will work. Partition it off and bury some treats and toys in the spot and periodically after your dog's first introduction to the spot. If your dog starts digging where you don't want, kindly take your dog to the digging spot and remind him (nicely) that this is his spot for digging.
   
   Many people recommend aversives or deterrents to digging, but my approach is to build on the dog's natural tendencies and use positive reinforcement instead.

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5. 77

   teaches12345posted 12 years ago

   Our old dog used to love digging holes along the fence.  We just had to discipline him, with love, and teach him to stop.  It did work after consistent training.

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6. 64

   viveresperandoposted 12 years ago

   I hid treats in our yard to keep her busy.  It stopped after a while I think because she is older.  Hm, I am going to get some and hide again.  She would run around looking, sniffing, and just having fun.  We could not find the remote control for a couple of days and it started to rain.  To our surprise she came back into the house with the remote control full of dirt.  She went to get her toy before she lost it.  She has a doggie door and goes in and out as she pleases.  It helped a lot regarding chewing stuff and just those puppy habits.  She was very energetic and the ability of giving her the option to go in and out as she pleases fixed a lot of things automatically.  I know sometimes one can not have a doggie door for their pet.  Her "cousins" (My sister's dogs) do not have a doggie door.  When they came for a visit, you should have seen how they stared at it when my Luna was going in and out, trying to get them to go "outside to play".  Finally I held the flap open so they could see the outside.  Giggles, it was awesome when they figured out the could go in and out as the pleased.  Unfortunately, my sister can not have a doggie door where she lives.  My sister also loved the fact of not having to get up at 430am to walk outside with the dogs to do their business. 

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