How do I keep my dog from digging holes in my back yard? She is making a mess?

Answer 1

my dogs do that to!! In the holes that they have already dug put some big rocks in them!! You should try putting moth balls all over your back yard

Answer 2

Put on a fence so your dog won't dig anymore. Or Your dog is doing so because he has no other focus. He is relieving his energy into doing something that has become destructive. You need to watch the Dog Whisperer on television as he shows you what your dog is doing and why. You will need to help him get more excersie so that he remains in a relaxed state while in the back yard. You should walk your dog at least one hour every day. Don't let him lead you either. Pull the neckchain up around his neck and up behind his ears. This is the way you keep control of you dog and he doesn't take YOU for a walk. How big is your dog. Probably big huh? I thought so. So yes he needs to release that pent up energy on long walks rather than digging holes. Hes bored and full of energy you are not addressing. When you got your dog you knew he was going to be a bigger dog, not a toy poodle! When you took on the responsibility to have a dog you now need to meet his needs. If you are too "tired" to take care of his needs then you shouldn't even keep him. He is doing it ou of boredom, if you try to punish him he won't know what you're talking about because he is doing it without thinking. Its a natural reaction, he needs excercise and not be put "out back" because you don't want to deal with his energy in the house. Give him up for adoption and tell the people you just don't have the time. So stop punishing him NOW!

Answer 3

Your dog is doing so because he has no other focus. He is relieving his energy into doing something that has become destructive. You need to watch the Dog Whisperer on television as he shows you what your dog is doing and why. You will need to help him get more excersie so that he remains in a relaxed state while in the back yard. You should walk your dog at least one hour every day. Don't let him lead you either. Pull the neckchain up around his neck and up behind his ears. This is the way you keep control of you dog and he doesn't take YOU for a walk. How big is your dog. Probably big huh? I thought so. So yes he needs to release that pent up energy on long walks rather than digging holes. Hes bored and full of energy you are not addressing. When you got your dog you knew he was going to be a bigger dog, not a toy poodle! When you took on the responsibility to have a dog you now need to meet his needs. If you are too "tired" to take care of his needs then you shouldn't even keep him. He is doing it ou of boredom, if you try to punish him he won't know what you're talking about because he is doing it without thinking. Its a natural reaction, he needs excercise and not be put "out back" because you don't want to deal with his energy in the house. Give him up for adoption and tell the people you just don't have the time. So stop punishing him NOW!

Answer 4

I have a siberian husky and she likes to dig holes when she is bored and has too much energy because she has not had a walk that day. Depending on the breed they need even a short walk, but every day. They need to do something because they are stuck in the yard or the house all day. Many dogs like mine are classified as working dogs. They need to feel as if they are useful. I have a doggie backpack and put things in it to give it some weight. This way she feels like she is carring something for me.

Answer 5

If a dog is out in the sun and gets too hot..they will dig a hole to stay cooler.
Maybe the dog is just bored.Give it some toys or a ball to occupy it's mind. Dogs are like little children,they get bored too,
Or maybe you will be lucky and the dog is following a treasure map and will dig up untold riches,LOL.

Answer 6

Does she have a dog house that is shaded and cool in the day? I had a dog that dug deep narrow holes to crawl into (when I lived in the prairies 30+ c). Maybe you have voles or other burrowing animals in your yard? Dogs are hunters... If she always digs the same spots try burying chicken wire across the area and she won't be able to dig in the same spots. Good luck.

Answer 7

I think that moth balls are toxic. Usually hole digging in dogs is a sign of boredom. More walks and mental stimulation would help. You can also stay with them and tell them to stop when they start to dig.

Answer 8

Filling in the holes: Put charcoal in the hole. Then try refilling the holes with junk. Dogs quickly lose interest and pretty much stop digging. Fill the hole with whatever is at hand - dead leaves, sticks, pine needles, rocks or even dog feces. Fill the top 2 inches or so with dirt. The dog finds the stuff, gets discouraged and often quits digging. They seem to get the idea they'll never know where they'll find junk, and it's not worth the effort to dig only to find junk so they quit.

Surprises in the hole: The Koehler dog method advocates filling holes with water and sticking dog's head under the water for a few seconds or so. This may not work with some breeds (e.g., Labradors), and may not appeal to you as a method to try. Alternatively, you can try burying a water balloon in one of the holes which will pop in its face when it starts digging (surprise).

A sandbox: Try to remember that digging is a natural tendency for dogs. So, if there is any place where your dog may be allowed to dig, you should encourage it (and only in that place). Designate an area where the dog can dig. Many people build a sand box for their dog. Place the box in an area that is cool in summer and warm in winter.

To teach the dog to dig only in the box, place or bury toys or treats (sliced hotdogs, for example) in the box. Encourage the dog to dig up the toy or treat. Praise the dog. Repeat until the dog willingly jumps in and digs. Watch the dog. When it starts to dig in any other place, quickly go out and take your dog to its box. Show it (by digging yourself), that it should dig in its box.

To deter boredom, place several toys/treats in the box before you leave for work. The dog will spend its time digging in the correct place rather than digging up your roses. You can also sprinkle animal essence (available at hunting supplies places).

Remember that dogs like to dig in freshly turned earth. So get out that shovel and turn the dirt over in the sand box every now and then. Toss in some fresh dirt. Keep a close eye on freshly planted areas, as they will be very attractive (bury some extra hotdogs in the sandbox when you are putting down new plants).

Put a cheap wooden deck over the area of the backyard. Or get a roll of rabbit cage wire (Home Depot) and lay flat over ground, stake it down. Also you say you walk him, so section off your yard with the wire leaving enough room for a toilet area.

Line the yard. for extreme cases you can line the yard with chicken wire and put a layer of sod over that. Use paving bricks or blocks around the edge to prevent the dog from injuring itself on the edge of the chicken wire.

We have 2 dogs and had a similar problem. Our vet told us to fill the holes with the dogs' feces and cover with dirt. Sounds disgusting, but guess what - it worked! Seems the dogs can smell it, and so they won't dig it up.

Ok this is going to raise some eyebrows but it is not so bad, really. I did dog rescue work for 13 years and one of the vets we use suggested that when we trim the dogs nails that we trim them just a bit shorter than you are supposed to and apply styptic powder. It doesn't exactly hurt when they dig but it is uncomfortable like when you chew a nail down to the quick. It took me a while to get up the courage to do this but the dogs didn't seem to be in distress at all and quit digging. Of course you have to give them other stuff to do chew toys etc, and lots of exercise. I tried the chicken wire thing and it cut up their paws much crueler I think than this. You could file them down if you don't like using the clippers.

Answer 9

Yep. More attention and exercise. She is most likely bored to death. Now she has a habit that may be hard to break. Dogs can't simply be put in the back yard and ignored. They need interaction, just like you do, and just as much as you do.

Answer 10

My beagle loved to dig in my flower garden. I even fenced it in and he would jump over it. Well whenever I caught him I would spray him with the garden hose. I mean you know you have to actually catch him in the act and spray some water on him. Boy he would jump out of there so fast. Well now he won't even go near it