Is there anything I can do to stop our black lab (5 mos. old) from digging up our backyard?

Answer 1

How to Solve the Digging Problem
Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons.
Your dog may be:
􀂙􀀃seeking entertainment 􀂙􀀃seeking prey
􀂙􀀃seeking comfort or protection 􀂙􀀃seeking attention
􀂙􀀃seeking escape
Dogs don’t dig, however, out of spite, revenge or a desire to destroy your yard. Finding ways to make the
area where the dog digs unappealing may be effective, however, it’s likely that he’ll just begin digging in
other locations or display other unacceptable behavior, such as chewing or barking. A more effective
approach is to address the cause of the digging, rather than creating location aversions.
Seeking Entertainment
Dogs may dig as a form of self-play when they learn that roots and soil “play back.” Your dog may be
digging for entertainment if:
􀂙􀀃He’s left alone in the yard for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction with you
􀂙􀀃His environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys
􀂙􀀃He’s a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn’t have other outlets for his energy
􀂙􀀃He’s the type of dog (like a terrier) that is bred to dig as part of his “job”
􀂙􀀃He’s a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting breeds) who needs an active job
to be happy
􀂙􀀃He’s recently seen you “playing” in the dirt (gardening or working in the yard)
Recommendations:
We recommend expanding your dog’s world and increasing his “people time” the following ways:
􀁸􀀃 Walk your dog regularly. It’s good exercise, mentally and physically, for both of you!
􀁸􀀃 Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often as possible.
􀁸􀀃 Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks. Practice these commands/tricks every day for five
to ten minutes.
􀁸􀀃 Take an obedience class with your dog and practice daily what you’ve learned.
􀁸􀀃 Keep interesting toys in the yard to keep your dog busy even when you’re not around (Kong-type
toys filled with treats or busy-box toys). Rotating the toys makes them seem new and interesting.
􀁸􀀃 For dedicated diggers, provide an “acceptable digging area.” Choose an area of the yard
where it’s okay for your dog to dig and cover the area with loose soil or sand. If you catch your
dog digging in an unacceptable area, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, say, “no dig” and
take the dog to his designated digging area. When he digs in the approved spot, reward him with
praise. Make the unacceptable digging spots unattractive (at least temporarily) by setting sharp
rocks or chicken wire into the dirt.
Seeking Prey
Dogs may try to pursue burrowing animals or insects that live in your yard. Your dog may be pursuing
prey if:
􀂙􀀃The digging is in a very specific area, usually not at the boundaries of the yard
􀂙􀀃The digging is at the roots of trees or shrubs
􀂙􀀃The digging is in a “path” layout
Article continued here:http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/digging-probs.pdf (page2)

Answer 2

I have a 2 year old male lab and he used to dig everywhere as a puppy. amonia can be put in a spray bottle with water and sprayed in the main trouble spots. although if the weather is extremly hot your dog may dig for the coolness of the earth underneath your grass or garden.

Answer 3

Most behaviors of dogs are either the product of instinct, or a learned behavior. Digging behavior is no exception; it is an instinct. In addition, there are certain breeds, Terriers and Dachshunds, for instance, which were bred specifically for their ability to dig out game, such as badgers, foxes, and otters. They have an even greater digging instinct.

Dogs dig for a variety of reasons.

Dogs will often dig out of boredom. If you leave your dog out alone in the yard for any length of time, he may dig just for something to do. Play with him out there, or provide him with chew toys or interactive toys like a Kong or Pet Planet rubber toy with treats stuffed inside.

Digging is often used as a means of escape. Your dog may want to leave a fenced yard because there are so many more interesting things to do elsewhere.

If you have an intact (unspayed, or unneutered) dog, he or she may be digging to escape in order to mate with another dog. If you do not plan to breed your dog, a good way to prevent digging for this reason is to neuter him or spay her.

Since deeper layers of soil tend to be cooler, your dog may be digging to find relief from the heat. Always provide a cool, shady place for your dog to rest when he is outside.

Dogs are great savers. They will bury bones or other treats 'for a rainy day' when they may need them.

If you use bone or blood meal to fertilize your garden, the scent may be irresistible. A dog may dig and dig trying to find that nonexistent bone.

Any dog may dig to excavate a den. A female dog may dig in order to provide a nest for babies, whether she is pregnant or not.

The trick to stopping any pet's unwanted behavior is understanding it and then manipulating it into a behavior of which we approve. There are obvious things you can do to prevent digging, some of which are mentioned above. Here are other general solutions:

Give your dog a place where he is permitted to dig and train him, with praise and treats, to dig in that spot and not in an inappropriate place. A good place is a sandy area, an area that has already been dug up and where the soil is loose, or an area where there is a lot of shade. A sandy area has the added benefit in that, sand is much easier to clean off than dirt.

Decide where this place will be, soften the soil, and then bury a favorite treat there. Bring your dog over to the area, say "dig!" and praise him when he uncovers the treat. Repeat until the behavior is learned. If you catch him digging in an inappropriate area, say "no!" and then take him over to the desired area and say "dig," followed by praise if he digs. This training may take several days.

Deter him from digging in inappropriate areas. There are many different ways to do this, including putting pepper, small amounts of citrus or diluted ammonia on the inappropriate area. There are also commercial products such as Keep Off, No-Dig, or Get Off My Garden. These products work by creating a scent in the area which is repugnant to animals, or which interferes with the animal's sense of smell. Some products can be used directly on plants and grass, some cannot. This is probably the easiest of the solutions. This will also work at repelling nuisance animals other than your own.

Digging, although deeply ingrained, can be unlearned. Be consistent and unwavering and you will be able to find a solution.

Answer 4

A puppy need something to entertain itself. Digging is normal for a dog, especially one that is bored.

Labs love water, use a baby wading pool. Labs like to play to buy those huge tied rope toys. Buy a huge chew bone, and I mean huge.

Play with the dog. Don't expect it jus to sit outside alone. Dogs are pack animals and need companionship.

Answer 5

I have a black lab too. She's now 8 yrs old and we've had her since she was a aby. She used to do that but then she grew out of it.

Answer 6

Nope..I have 10 big holes in my backyard! I tried everything ... you got a shovel?

Answer 7

bury inflated baloons under dirt where he has digged.....or spread chili powder where he digs.

Answer 8

CUT IT'S TOE NAILS AS SHORT AS YOU CAN OR HAVE YOUR VET DO IT .

Answer 9

who carez

Answer 10

Not let it in the backyard duh.