I have two 16 week old pups (maltese / pug crosses), brother and sister. Both of them have begun digging holes in the lawn recently - does anyone have any strategies for discouraging this behaviour please? Why would they be doing this? (I dont think it is boredom as they are very much doted on by my wife and I).
2007-01-22 11:13:33 · 13 answers · asked by zappafan 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Puppies and dogs dig for different reasons. Some dig to make a cozy bed, and some dig for the pure joy of it. (Ever seen a kid having fun with a pall and shovel at the beach? You get the idea.) But trainers say that probably the most common reason for digging is that the dog is bored and lonely. So an important first step is to prevent boredom and loneliness.
Your puppy needs companionship. If he’s left alone in a yard all day with nothing to do, he’s sure to be unhappy and he might turn to digging for comfort. If you have to be away for most of the day, see that he has company for at least several short periods during that time. Have a neighbor or pet-sitter come over for play visits or to take him for walks. Provide him with plenty of toys that will keep him safely occupied. Never leave your puppy outside while you are away from home. The safest place he can be while you are away from home is in his crate.
If he still delights in making holes in the lawn, you can even create his own special digging area in a corner of the yard. By burying a few of his toys there and making a fun game of it, you can teach him that it’s OK for him to practice his earthmoving skills in this special place. One way to teach him not to dig in your yard is to put some of his waste in the hole he has dug and lightly cover it with dirt. He wont care for uncovering that.
2007-01-22 11:17:36 · answer #1 · answered by aussie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When we got our 2 puppies I read a few books about puppies, training, etc. Each book listed a remedy for just about every type of behavior - but every book also flat-out said that there is no proven fix for one thing: digging. (Hey, I'm just telling you what the books said...)
My Pug / Rat Terrier mix used to dig a lot as a puppy. She'd put her face down close to the ground, put her butt up in the air, and with her 2 front paws just start furiously digging.
I think the only way to deter bad behavior is to be right there to correct them when it is happening. I live in an apartment and do not have a fenced-in yard so I have to go outside with my dogs (unleashed but supervised), I can't just let them out. So I am always right there with them and whenever she would start digging I would yell "NO! No digging!" and clap my hands really loud at her and she would stop. She is 2 1/2 now and rarely do I catch her trying to dig anymore.
I consider my dogs to be children, not just because I am a dog lover but because they are like children, especially if you have them from the time they are puppies - you have to raise them and teach them right from wrong. And just like children, they will try to stretch the boundaries and do things when you're not looking even after they've been "trained". What I also learned is dogs have a short attention span - limit your commands to one word if possible ("NO!", sit, stay, etc.) or 2 words (No digging! or even No dig!) You are completely wasting your time to stand there and have a conversation with your dog about why they shouldn't dig. The loud harsh tone of your voice and the word NO! will teach them what not to do, and the gentle happy tone of your voice when they obey and the words "Good girl / boy!" will teach them what to do.
I'm sorry I've rambled on - I feel fortunate to be a "stay at home mom" to my dogs - that is why they trained so easily and so well, I spend all of my time with them (I know - get a life....yeah, yeah). In the first however many months, I don't know, 6 months or a year - is when you have to spend as much time as possible practically being right on top of your pups to teach them right from wrong.
Good luck - your pups sound adorable!
2007-01-22 19:43:58 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cross breed pups don't behave bad at all! I would take the pups for regular walks as they are old enough now. When the are alone leave them with toys they wont get bored of, like a treat ball. if all fails there is a product you can buy called 'get of my garden'. Its not harm full whatsoever but its a really nasty smell and taste for the dogs. And dont put there poo in it as they are attracted to there own poo and find it a pleasure to find goodies in their hole. Also please dont put your dogs in a pen, that could be called crulty.hope it works out!
2007-01-22 19:28:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If one does it the other probably will. They need lots of entertainment and more then anything be patient. a lot of dogs grow out of it. they need to be told that its bad but also when they do something good make sure they know how good it is. make every good thing they do into a huge deal and give them lots of praise and attention and they try to do it more often. if you only yell at them they will dig just to get your attention. and like people, some dogs think certain things are entertaining and funny. if you get very flustered when they dig, they may do it to amuse themselves.
2007-01-22 19:21:39 · answer #4 · answered by enb85110 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To break a dog from digging (a natural canine urge) put some of the dog's feces in the hole(s). It will stop!
2007-01-22 19:43:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problems with a beagle mix I had. I tried everything! One day, a groomer gave me a tip that worked. She told me that if you cut their nails a little short, it will bother them when they dig, and they won't dig! So, I had her cut the nails (I wouldn't risk doing it myself because if you cut them too short, you can cause problems!) and after a few times, he never dug again!
Good luck!
2007-01-22 19:28:10 · answer #6 · answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
exercise. All it takes, i couldn't get my dog exercised for about 1 and a half weeks and hey looky there a hole was dug up in my back yard. Your dog gets bored and need to waste energy somewhere. Loving you dog is not releasing your dogs energy.
2007-01-22 19:21:07 · answer #7 · answered by Yutow 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I don't have much experience with dogs, because I'm young. But, maybe the Spray bottle trick might work, squirt them with it to show them it's wrong. I don't really know from experience though.
2007-01-22 19:19:14 · answer #8 · answered by Esty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Croiss Breed Pups usually carry bad behavior, but it can be discourgaed by locking them up in a pen.
2007-01-22 19:18:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Bury there poop where they are digging. So they will dig up there poop. It does work for some dogs.
2007-01-22 19:23:19 · answer #10 · answered by sdexcalibur 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋