How to get my dog to stop from digging at the carpet?

Question

When I leave for work he digs in front of the doorways. I have put rugs down in those places but he just finds a new place to dig. I am renting and the carpet is getting really bad in places!

He is a black lab rotweiler shepard mix. He has more than one bed, his own blanket and a bean bag.

We leave out plenty of toys and he has a kitty friend to play with (we have a cat also, they play)

Answer 1

If crate training isn't possible or simply out of the question for you, they do make a product that dog's can't stand called Keep Off! It's a spray that safely helps to keep pets away from forbidden areas inside or outside the home such as furniture, carpets, trees, shrubs and garbage cans. The instructions are simple enough: To break your pet of undesirable habits indoors, spray the forbidden area lightly so that the area or object is slightly moistened or spray a cloth lightly and place it on the object to be protected. Test the effects of Keep Off! before spraying extensive areas by first treating a small inconspicuous area. Repeat daily, or as necessary, until your pet'sundesirable habit is broken.

You can also use it outdoors to prevent your pet or stray animals from soiling outdoor flower beds, lawns, trees, shrubbery, or evergreens, spray area lightly every other day. Reapply Keep Off! as often as necessary until undesirable habits of your pet or stray animal are changed

All 3 of my dogs that were destroying the carpet have stopped after only 2 applications. The product is relatively inexpensive too. It's available online for less than $7 and you can find it at most pet stores too.

For an even more inexpensive repellent, you could try sprinkling some pepper in the areas where your dog digs as well, as they hate it. Regular black pepper works just as well as the red pepper flakes.

Good luck!

Answer 2

First, you have to understand why your dog is digging.

Is it "making a bed"? Some dogs (including 3 of my own 4) do that to settle in and sleep until something "important to them" get them motivated. Creating an alternative place to sleep can solve that easily.

Is it trying to get out? Perhaps your dog is one of those that is uncomfortable being alone. In a situation such as that, you have to make a decision......are you willing to get a second companion, so that your first has company, or are you willing to check into a "doggy daycare", a place where he will have company on a regular basis. Either way, you are looking at a cost increase, but if loneliness is the problem, it's about the only viable solution.

If all else fails, consider crating your dog while you are out of the house. I am NOT an advocate of crating, but know that there are times when it's needed, and it doesnt' cause long term problems for the animal as long as adequate play and socialization are provided when you are at home. If you do decide to try crating, remember these rules.....the crate MUST be large enough for your dog to turn and lay down comfortably (get the biggest one you can afford).....you must provide food and water (in small amounts, depending on how long you are going to be gone)......and make sure you have something in there for the dog to make a bed from (and it would probably prefer something with your scent....an old shirt or blanket, perhaps).

If you are still having problems after that, I would suggest checking with your local animal shelter on trainers that can assist you. Obediance training does more than teach commands....it also improves the overall attitude and behavior of any animal.

Answer 3

take a blanket that you have slept one or have covered up with and when you leave for work leave it in a spot to were he spends all his time at and have him lay there, this probably wont work the first time and you will have to then teach him to lay there at night when you go to sleep it shouldnt take long dogs are fast learners

Answer 4

sounds like you have a terrier of some kind dogs need alot of toys to play with while you are gone to work , if the toys dont work get a dog crate i have to crate my big one or he will knock things over in the house, my big dog loves his crate he goes in it even if iam at home just to relax it also reminds them of a dog den

Answer 5

They usually sniff where they dig, try putting some cayenne pepper in those areas.

Answer 6

This will help

http://tinyurl.com/vuhrf