Why is he digging?

Question

I have a 7 months old Jack Russell, he has plenty of toys, chews etc, and gets walked twice a day, however he's just started digging in my garden. I now have three holes in my lawn. One of which is huge, I keep re-filling it, but he just goes back and digs it out again. Would having him done, calm him down and stop his digging?

Answer 1

Terriers dig - fact of life. That's what they were BRED to do. Dig up small animals and kill them. You'll never train him to stop. Punishing them for digging is useless and cruel. Without guidance, a bored and lonely dog is going to find something to do - usually something you don't like.

Fence off the flower beds. Make sure he's getting plenty of exercise and training and play time with a human. Try making an area with a sandbox and encourage him to dig there. Or find another fun thing to distract him. Get a tetherball game and hang the ball at a low enough height that he can grab it. (NOTE: this can sometimes lead to a lot of barking and really piss off your neighbors!) For my terriers, I installed an overhead wire across my yard, attached a pulley and ran a second wire down toward the ground with a fuzzy dog toy at the end of it. They love zipping it back and forth and playing tug-of-war with it. You can also teach him to play flyball - a competitive dog sport where the dog is trained to launch his own ball from a box with a spring inside.
http://www.flyball.org/

There are many devices they sell at the garden centers for discouraging deer and wild animals - it has a motion detector that turns on your sprinkler and chases them away. Of course, that won't work if your dogs love the sprinkler like mine do! This is one of them:

http://www.critterridders.com/scarecrow....

And someone else suggested this to another person with the same problem - get doggie boots! I thought it was BRILLIANT! As long as they don't chew them off...

Answer 2

Boredom! Having him "done" as you put it, will not change why he's digging, unless you have a female in heat under your lawn, in which case, just removing her will solve your problem. Try running him while you ride a bicycle, and wearing him down. "A sleeping dog doesn't dig!" Jack Russells are high energy dogs, and just a walk twice a day won't do it. I breed English Springers, and I RUN them 4 times a day, and they still tear through the house, after a short nap. Excersise is the only way.

Answer 3

No having him "done" neutered will not stop this. Some dogs just love to dig, their sense of smell is very keen. To break this habit you must confine him to an area such as a patio deck where he cannot dig. My pekes will even try to dig in their crates. A sharp loud noise when the dog is found digging or a shock collar(I hate them really) usually is used to retrain your pet from digging. Some dig the ground and than lay in their hole to keep cool, as my oldest peke does. My youngest likes to bury things, and my male like to uncover her treasures. lol So as you can see there are many reasons why a dog will dig. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

If you get any good answers ... let me know! My 6 year old and 4 year old (Boxers) both still dig to China in my backyard! At first we thought they were digging for the grubs/june bugs that were underground. Now, I just don't know. So far this summer I don't have any craters .... so maybe they've simply outgrown their digging spree. I tried this spray from PetCo/PetSmart ... but let's face it, my lawn is too big and therefore too expensive to spray the whole damned lawn!

Answer 5

There are two major causes of destructive behaviour: boredom and separation anxiety. Separation anxiety
is a term used to describe the insecure behaviour of a dog who is too dependent on his owner and thus becomes destructive in his owner's absence.
Separation anxiety is also common in dogs who have been abandoned or mistreated
Too many dogs are given up for adoption because of destructive behaviour, usually without any effort by their owners to change or improve their pet's behaviour. Accepting the responsibility of owning a dog means being prepared to deal with such situations.
The suggestions listed below will help you and your dog get right back on the good behaviour "track":

Have your dog spayed or neutered.

Give your dog rigorous, tiring exercise before you leave your home. This will require more time and effort on your part, but it is necessary to help your dog.

Make all home departures and arrivals uneventful. Avoid exciting your dog at these times.
Most destructive behaviour occurs within the first and last half hours a dog is alone. This is due usually to anxiety brought on by the excitement that often surrounds this time.
Plan a play session for your dog half an hour after you arrive home.

Never reprimand unless you have caught your dog in the act of being destructive.
Punishing your dog on your return for something done in your absence will serve only to increase its anxiety and confusion, and will hinder any progress you have already made.

Purchase a crate for your dog to stay in while you are away from home or are unable to keep an eye on your dog (this is comparable to placing a toddler in a playpen). Line the crate with a blanket and provide a variety of safe and suitable chew toys for your dog.
Never use the crate as a form of reprimand. Make the act of entering the crate enjoyable.
This method is commonly referred to as "cage" or "crate training", and emulates a natural habit of dogs, which is to go into a den for a safe and secure place to rest. Once you feel your dog can be left on his own, you can practice leaving him alone for short periods of time.
Allow your dog access only to certain areas of the house and, as with children, make sure breakables and dangerous items are well out of reach (also keep in mind that your dog may just prefer to stay in its "den").
Before leaving, switch on a radio tuned to a soft music/talk station. The sound of soft human voices and music has a calming effect on dogs.

Consult a veterinarian about your dog's diet. Foods that are too high in protein and/or lack other necessary nutrients may have an effect on your dog's behaviour.

Make use of the experience of others. Many excellent books are available.

Most behavioural problems can be solved with the right amount of love, time and patience. Don't give up! The love and devotion your dog has for you will make it all worthwhile.

Answer 6

I actual have quite a few gardens out decrease back and six canines. some were experienced with short fencing yet that became when I had 2 canines. i now have 2 foot lattice round my gardens. that forestalls them from moving into. very last 365 days I worked very not basic contained in the backyard to locate all of my flora smashed and ruined. canines will be canines and there is no experience in me getting dissatisfied so I fenced it off. when I say canines will be canines all canines should be experienced no longer to bypass contained in the backyard in case your continual I purely determined the fence became a lot less puzzling. I actual have a Vizsla that regardless how a lot practise if a rabbit or a squirrel is going in my backyard I assure she is ideal behind.

Answer 7

Watch him. When he's outside, you be there too.. If you have to leave him alone, kennel him (aka crate).

It's the nature of the beast to dig, it's instinctual in the breed.

My dog is never alone un-kenneled in the house, and he is never outside on his own.

Answer 8

Sorry you won't change him, it's in his nature to dig.

Answer 9

my rottie, my mums dogs and my nxt door neighbours dogs have all started to dig the gardens lately dunno whats going on with them ill keep checking back c if you get an explanation

Answer 10

It's in his nature. You won't be able to change him. He's a hunter killer. Rabbits etc.....