I need help with my dogs.?

Question

I have a puggle that loves to dig and I have no problem with it until he does it to try and get out of the yard. Is there any way I can get him to stop digging to escape? Then when he is running down the street I will call him and he things its a game he keeps running. Waits till I catch up with him then runs again. My dogs (puggle and chow chow mix) also only seem to listen to me when they feel like it or when I have a treat in my hand. They know their commands. Why don't the listen? Another problem is my one dog nips when he is playing and the both lick me constantly. I need him to stop this because I have a child on the way and I need them to start listening to me better and calm down when I tell them to. If you can help and don't have enough room on here e-mail me at [e-mail]. Thanks.

Answer 1

Tune in to an episode of "the dog whisperer." Yours is the kind of problem he is always dealing with. It's basically about being consistent and setting very firm boundaries with your dog -- letting them see consistently that you are the boss, not them. But it only works if you are consistent. Try tuning in and watch this guy work -- he is just amazing!

Answer 2

i also have a chow-chow mix and he can be a hand full. i know exactly what you mean that they know the command but just don't do it in less you have a treat. for the digging problem you might wanna look into electric fences there a bit expensive but they really work. when the dog runs away pretend you have a treat or something it might work but what i used to do is pretend to ignore him just walk in the house and look out the window and normally mine will come running back. A chow-chow wasn't exactly a great choice to have with a little one. most of the time they do like to nibble and its hard to get them to quit cause they just don't understand. i don't know what to do there but as mine got a little older he is getting a lot better with that he is a year and a half now and still bites when he gets overwhelmed but he normally spits my hand right out and starts to lick. good luck.

Answer 3

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 4

1.You could put plants really close to eachother all around the fenced area.
2.Send them to an obediance camp.
3.It may seem cruel, but my dog learned this way - when he nips, give him a slap on the behind.

Answer 5

get an invisible fence and make sure it is really tall.(1)- so you can have it down in the ground where the dog cannot dig and then you need it high so your dog can't jump over the fence.

Answer 6

a dog doesn`t automatically know what is wrong, so you`ll have to teach him. This takes time a consistence, but it works. When he does something wrong, show him what is right and reward him when he does it, with or without treat, but always with praise!

Answer 7

Your dogs think that you are playing a game with them. DON"T run after them. Make them listen and come to you-don't go after them.

Answer 8

well i know you might of heard this before but try dog obidience class i have a 6 year old dog and when he was a puupy we put him in it and he is almost our most perfect dog

Answer 9

well, for the digging, you can get astroturf in your yard, but theres nothing more you can really do without training them.