Be Your Dog's Best Friend
Module 4- Section 4
Module 4- Section 4
PREVENTING DIGGING IN INAPPROPRIATE PLACES
Preventing Digging in Inappropriate Places
Why Dogs Dig
Digging is a natural, instinctive behaviour, even more so in some breeds than others, such as the Terrier breeds that were bred to dig. Breeds such as the Alaskan malamute and Siberian husky like to dig an impression in the soil to cool themselves off and Labs love digging. Some dogs (again especially Terriers) will dig beds on the couch or your own bed before they lie down.
The dog’s ancestors used to dig holes for protection, to store leftover bones in (some dogs still do this today), to protect their young from predators and to have a den to give birth in.
Other reasons that dogs dig is they are attracted by the smell of manure, dig out of boredom, to get rid of excess energy or to release stress or anxiety, the dog may further be rewarded by the behaviour by finding little creepy crawlies, or it may even dig just for fun. Often with a dog that is digging, you may find that it is digging only in one particular location – such as what seems to be a straight line leading across the garden. hIt could well be that either water pipes or the wiring for an electric fence has been dug in this area. Another common reason is that there are rodents in the area. These will have to be gotten rid of but do ensure that this is carried out with a product that will not harm the pup, or that the pup has no access to the garden whilst they operation is occurring.
Some pups will observe people digging in the garden, either planting, weeding, or even putting down fertilizer.
When treating digging, you need to explore further why this behaviour is happening – is the pup being given sufficient outlet for its natural behaviours? Is the pup frustration and suffering from a lack of physical, mental or social boredom?
Preventing the Dog Digging in Inappropriate Areas
The only real way to control digging it is to either have an area that is totally ‘dog friendly’ and they can do what they want to, but this often raises problems when the pup goes to other areas of the garden and then have great fun digging up plants and redesigning the garden, or else provide and teach the pup that digging is only allowed in its digging pit.
A digging pit is like a sandbox for puss, great to play in. Now why would your pup dig in the digging pit rather than the rose garden? Simple, you make it rewarding for the pup to dig in the legal area simply by putting in toys, chewie’s, bones etc in it.
Have the pup next to you and let him see you place a nice bone or chew toy in the dig box. Cover it up (just below the surface to make it easy), then making a digging motion yourself, say ‘dig, dig’ in an excited voce. As the pup is already a digger it will be quick to mimic you – then guess what, a wonderful treat is found! Initially you may have to encourage your pup to dig in its digging pit, but once they get realize what is for, they will rather use the digging pit than dig somewhere which is not rewarding. Once your pup has mastered the digging cue, you can even have a 'helper' in the garden and ask the dog to 'dig, dig' in an excited voice. They love this and are very good at getting out roots, however the holes are very seldom symmetrical!
You need to keep on replenishing the digging pit and make sure it doesn’t dry up of treats, or it will not be appealing. Soil is better than sand from the point of view that there is more likely to be a worm problem with sand. If you do decide on sand, then put in a handful of salt to discourage the worms on a regular basis. An added bonus of your pup’s digging pit is that it keeps them entertained while you are out as well.
Look for the best place to place the digging pit in your garden. Preferable an area that is shady and if possible, where the pup can see the gate. You will often find pups digging over the surface soil looking for a cool place to lie so the digging pit will function for this as well. If your pup already has a favourite place to dig, then put your digging pit there. It should be approximately 2 x 3 meters (dependent on the size of the pup will grow too) and you can place bricks or railway sleepers around it to keep it intact if you like. Doing this will also make it look more appealing to the eye, and ferns and such can be planted around the borders, turning it into a feature.
If you are digging in the garden yourself and your pup looks like it is going to be a ‘digger’, then occupy it in another area while you are busy – prevention. Another point to be aware of, is that if you are applying fertilizer or compost, check with your nursery that it is safe, dig it in well, and avoid having the pup in the garden at this time.
Here is a link to an overseas website which gives you some further information – however prevention is better, check with the nursery and read the Warnings on the product label.
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/protecting-pets-from-poisons-in-the-yard-and-garden/
Why Dogs Dig
Digging is a natural, instinctive behaviour, even more so in some breeds than others, such as the Terrier breeds that were bred to dig. Breeds such as the Alaskan malamute and Siberian husky like to dig an impression in the soil to cool themselves off and Labs love digging. Some dogs (again especially Terriers) will dig beds on the couch or your own bed before they lie down.
The dog’s ancestors used to dig holes for protection, to store leftover bones in (some dogs still do this today), to protect their young from predators and to have a den to give birth in.
Other reasons that dogs dig is they are attracted by the smell of manure, dig out of boredom, to get rid of excess energy or to release stress or anxiety, the dog may further be rewarded by the behaviour by finding little creepy crawlies, or it may even dig just for fun. Often with a dog that is digging, you may find that it is digging only in one particular location – such as what seems to be a straight line leading across the garden. hIt could well be that either water pipes or the wiring for an electric fence has been dug in this area. Another common reason is that there are rodents in the area. These will have to be gotten rid of but do ensure that this is carried out with a product that will not harm the pup, or that the pup has no access to the garden whilst they operation is occurring.
Some pups will observe people digging in the garden, either planting, weeding, or even putting down fertilizer.
When treating digging, you need to explore further why this behaviour is happening – is the pup being given sufficient outlet for its natural behaviours? Is the pup frustration and suffering from a lack of physical, mental or social boredom?
Preventing the Dog Digging in Inappropriate Areas
The only real way to control digging it is to either have an area that is totally ‘dog friendly’ and they can do what they want to, but this often raises problems when the pup goes to other areas of the garden and then have great fun digging up plants and redesigning the garden, or else provide and teach the pup that digging is only allowed in its digging pit.
A digging pit is like a sandbox for puss, great to play in. Now why would your pup dig in the digging pit rather than the rose garden? Simple, you make it rewarding for the pup to dig in the legal area simply by putting in toys, chewie’s, bones etc in it.
Have the pup next to you and let him see you place a nice bone or chew toy in the dig box. Cover it up (just below the surface to make it easy), then making a digging motion yourself, say ‘dig, dig’ in an excited voce. As the pup is already a digger it will be quick to mimic you – then guess what, a wonderful treat is found! Initially you may have to encourage your pup to dig in its digging pit, but once they get realize what is for, they will rather use the digging pit than dig somewhere which is not rewarding. Once your pup has mastered the digging cue, you can even have a 'helper' in the garden and ask the dog to 'dig, dig' in an excited voice. They love this and are very good at getting out roots, however the holes are very seldom symmetrical!
You need to keep on replenishing the digging pit and make sure it doesn’t dry up of treats, or it will not be appealing. Soil is better than sand from the point of view that there is more likely to be a worm problem with sand. If you do decide on sand, then put in a handful of salt to discourage the worms on a regular basis. An added bonus of your pup’s digging pit is that it keeps them entertained while you are out as well.
Look for the best place to place the digging pit in your garden. Preferable an area that is shady and if possible, where the pup can see the gate. You will often find pups digging over the surface soil looking for a cool place to lie so the digging pit will function for this as well. If your pup already has a favourite place to dig, then put your digging pit there. It should be approximately 2 x 3 meters (dependent on the size of the pup will grow too) and you can place bricks or railway sleepers around it to keep it intact if you like. Doing this will also make it look more appealing to the eye, and ferns and such can be planted around the borders, turning it into a feature.
If you are digging in the garden yourself and your pup looks like it is going to be a ‘digger’, then occupy it in another area while you are busy – prevention. Another point to be aware of, is that if you are applying fertilizer or compost, check with your nursery that it is safe, dig it in well, and avoid having the pup in the garden at this time.
Here is a link to an overseas website which gives you some further information – however prevention is better, check with the nursery and read the Warnings on the product label.
https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/protecting-pets-from-poisons-in-the-yard-and-garden/
