My yorkshire terrier likes to dig in the covers. If you put her on the bed she uses her paws and digs at top speed. She does this until she tires out, is this normal?
2006-09-04 14:25:19 · 14 answers · asked by tmitchell912 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My dog does that too, yes it is normal.
2006-09-04 14:26:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Terriers are diggers. So it will be difficult to untrain what breeding has built in. Always the first thing you must do with any dog is establish who is boss, who is the leader. Many people don't and let their dogs do lots of improper things.
To establish yourself as boss, your dog must become submissive anytime you wish. Anytime your dog misbehaves, you get in its way, block what it is doing. Also give a sharp command and do it quickly. Never nag or beg or say more than 2 words.
To establish leadership take your dog for 30-60 minute walk daily. For most of the walk do not let your dog walk in front of you. Keep the collar high up the neck so that you have full control of its head. Every once in a while let your dog pee, poop, or do other doggy things, but only after it has walked well for a bit. Walking burns off some of your dog's energy, calming it so training is easier. Walking also establishes a bond of understanding between the two of you.
After disciplining my dog, I provide a situation where if he is good, he may get back into my good graces. After disciplining is done, I tell him to sit. He is usually very good about sitting immediately. But if he didn't I would hand force him to sit and stay. Like I say, he is very good about doing his sitting trick. Why is he so good at it? Because I use it often just before he gets to do something he likes. So now we have an understanding. If he submits to me, he may get rewarded. He sits before he can go outside. He sits before he gets his dinner. etc. etc.
Training a dog to sit is usually very easy and takes less than a week. The act of your dog sitting is its act of being submissive to you, its boss.
As for digging in bed. Stop your dog by getting in its way. Put it off the bed, by the scruff of the neck if necessary. Be business like as if you are the owner of the bed and the dog is a guest that has worn out its welcome. Make you dog do some easy trick before letting it onto your bed.
Always dominate your dog and give affection only when the dog has been good.
2006-09-04 21:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by James S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a terrier. Digging for vermin is inherent in the breed. The behavior you describe is perfectly normal for terriers. Check with other Yorkie people to see how they cope with digging.
PS: keep her off the bed if it bothers you that much.
2006-09-04 21:31:00 · answer #3 · answered by Ginbail © 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes this is normal and if you keep her nails short this should not create too big of a problem - if her nails are ruining sheets and blankets then I suggest that you shorten her nails or file them down or try the rubber glue on caps for her nails - you can get them in any of the pet catalogs like Pet Edge or Dr. Fosters possibly even some of the bigger pet stores may carry them and some grooming parlors do carry them - they have these covers for cats and dogs and they last about 2 months then they fall off - harmless to the animal and they come in a variety of colors.
2006-09-04 22:04:15 · answer #4 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of dogs do it, my dog will dig into the covers for several minutes until she's sure she can lay at that spot comfortably. Then she'll lay down and go to sleep, she doesn't do that much anymore though.
2006-09-04 21:27:09 · answer #5 · answered by winds_of_justice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh don't worry its normal. Her breed is a fox dog, shes born to dig, lol
2006-09-04 21:32:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are playing a game...like we did as kids\\
round and round you go,
until you stop
nobody knows.
ok ...seriously,
kids and puppies are so much alike.
have you ever seen children twirl and swirl about...
until they are so dizzy that they drop?
It is the same with puppies,
not just terrier's but all puppies have so much energy
that they dig and turn and run and jump.
it is so cute now, and enjoy it, because in another couple of years, she/he will be in their 'dog teen years" and may just think that they "know everything".
hugs for the pup!
2006-09-04 21:36:10 · answer #7 · answered by coachls 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yeah they like to dig its normal
2006-09-04 21:27:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its very normal. She is just fluffing up her bed!
2006-09-04 21:29:59 · answer #9 · answered by Cornsilk P 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is perfectly normal for a dog, my dog does it too. I was worried at first too ^_^
2006-09-04 21:33:40 · answer #10 · answered by Hermes711 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋