puppy digging?

Question

how do you get a 8 month old puppy(pit/lab mix) to stop digging up the yard she just started doing this

Answer 1

Why do people copy and paste their answers from a website instead of giving therir honest opinion or giving a link to the site. You are wasting space. Everytime you see her dig tell her no and redirect her to play with something else. She is bored or seeking attention.

Answer 2

she needs to be kept busy. a dog that has more than sufficient work/play/exercise hardly ever creates a problem.

especially now at the age of 8 months, what you are going through is the puppy teenage years... but luckily it's only a matter of months :-)

so first of all, make sure you take her for long daily walks where she can really play and run and let all that energy out! (for a lab and pitbull i'd suggest a minimum of 45 min every day, rather more)

and whenever she's in the yard and does something she's not supposed to, don't yell at her, that will only make her connect it to you (you don't want her digging as soon as you turn your back again!)... instead throw a can filled with something that will make noise close to her, without her noticing it was you. you have to be kinda sneaky, so she has no idea where it came from and then she'll realize it has to do with her digging. of course don't throw it AT her, throw it close to her jsut enough so she gets startled. have a couple of cans ready so you don't have to collect it right away.

good luck, and like i said, don't worry, by the time she's 1 year old, everything will be much better already :-)

Answer 3

Hahaha - now the coolest climate is right here (we are hoping) i'm having precisely this with my pup who has discovered an entire new international. I choose I knew using fact i can not cope with the soil over my entire backyard. I only ought to deliver her in if i can not shop an eye fixed on what she's stepping into. possibly the novelty will positioned on off, besides the reality that too plenty soil (surprisingly the form you put in pots) isn't good using fact of all the chemical factors some bagged soil includes? thank you for asking - i will look ahead to what others advise.....

Answer 4

that is hard to do. what we did is. with out spanking or hitting them is to. take a empty medicine bottle. fill it with metal nuts. just some. it makes a load noice. well anyways do that and don't let the puppy know what it is. then when they start digging sneak up behind them and shake it vigoursly and yell no repeated. it scares them yes. but everytime they go to dig they will be scared to. so you may have to do a couple of times. but what ever you do don't them see what you are shaking at them.

Answer 5

It has just discovered its"hands" and it can do things. Boy, you are a party pooper. Find an area which has alot of rocks, boulders concrete surfaces. It will grow out of it as not much is happening.
Also, are you sure there is nothing out in the yard, like rabbits, moles, carrots - yeah they like carrots and will dig them up just to eat.

Answer 6

Put the puppy's poop in the holes and fill them in the rest of the way with soil. The other thing you can do, but is little rougher - is to show the pup the hole and say no firmly, but you will have to repeat this behavior a lot.

Answer 7

this will sound barbaric. but it works.fill the biggest hole with water and take the dog and try to drowned it.do not actually do it , just make the dog think you will.you should not have to do this more than 2 - 3 times .if the dog is large breed then do it while the dog is as little as possible.. and remember dogs are not people, they think differently than we do . you need to demonstrate to the dog that this is the last thing he wants to be doing.

Answer 8

Dogs dig because they are bored. Get her a few toys to chew on or something for her to do. Kong toys are good and durable. Also, if you want to stop her from digging, you can hide water balloons in her common digging areas. When the ballons pop, it will startle her enough to hopefully stop. Here's what Petco has to say:

Some dogs may never dig. Others may give good imitations of canine earth movers. Whether in the couch or among your prize roses, digging can be quite destructive. Training and accommodation are the best ways to deal with dogs who love to dig.

How Training Works
Dogs are pack animals, and as such are only comfortable when their role within the pack has been established. An established role allows the dog to predict the reactions and needs of the rest of his pack. Without a confirmed, consistent role, the dog never knows when punishment or rewards will occur, and will spend most of the time anxious and worried.

Basic obedience helps to establish the owner in role of pack leader, and lays down clear behavior guidelines that the pack can follow. The lack of a clear pack leader will cause anxiety, since, in the eyes of a dog, only a strong and definite pack leader can protect the pack and provide it with whatever is needed. If none of the humans take this role, the dog is force to attempt to assume it himself, since the pack must have a leader. The pack leader controls where the pack goes, when and what the pack eats and how the pack behaves toward one another. Having these clear guidelines allows the dog to relax, since he knows what behaviors earn what types of attention.

Most trainers follow the 3 second rule in training. Dogs will attribute positive or negative attention to whatever was happening within the 3 seconds immediately before the attention was given. Be careful to only give your dog attention when appropriate, when current behavior, not past, deserves it. If your dog is growling at strangers, don’t reward the behavior by attempting to calm him. This merely reinforces that there must be something scary happening. Instead, a gentle “no”, and a friendly greeting of the stranger on your part will be more reassuring to the dog than your calming attempts.

Know Your Breed
All dogs dig, but some breeds are more prone to digging than others. Some breeds have been bred to dig, including:

Terriers - Terrier means literally “Earth Dog.” These dogs were bred to “go to ground,” digging down into rodent tunnels to chase out and corner the inhabitants. The need to dig can be very strong in these breeds, so you may want to avoid them if you’re not a fan of canine-inspired landscaping.
Sledding dogs – Dogs that were bred to survive arctic-type environments needed a strong instinct to burrow down into the snow to survive the long, cold nights. Although your Husky or Malamute may have never seen temperatures below freezing, those instincts may still run strong. Dirt is just as rewarding to dig in as snow.
Highly intelligent dogs – No, having a very good and active brain is not an automatic guarantee of digging. But if a highly intelligent dog is kept in a backyard with little or no stimulation, he will invent games to keep entertained. One of the favorites, along with barking at every moving leaf and tree, is digging. Keeping this dog entertained with obedience lessons, activities, and plenty of quality time with you will help minimize unwanted digging.
Common Reasons for Digging
Isolation is the most common reason for digging. A dog left alone for long periods of time is lonely and bored, and often acts out his unhappiness by digging. The more time the dog spends with you, the less likely he will dig. When you're home, bring the dog indoors, even if you have to tie him to a table leg or doorknob until he learns to settle down. Hours spent in a crate at night next to your bed also counts as time spent with you, and helps your dog feel like part of the family.

If dogs are not spayed or neutered, they will do anything (like digging) to escape and breed. Alter your dog, or at least keep your female indoors (preferably in a crate) when in heat.

Children next door playing or people walking by frustrate your dog. He hears all the fun but can't join in. He gets more and more agitated, and must relieve his stress somehow. Digging serves as a physical outlet both to relieve his frustration and get out of the yard. Confine the dog in a smaller dog run or indoor crate while you are away. Leave him with his favorite chew toy, and let him learn to settle down and accept that you are gone. Start with short periods of time.

Do you have gophers or ground squirrels? Dogs (especially Dachshunds and terriers!) find rodents hard to resist. Once the pests are gone, so is your problem. Be careful with poisons and traps so that your dog is not harmed.

Have you recently planted new bushes in your yard? Don't let your dog see you dig. That may give her the idea that digging is okay. Spray your plantings and the surrounding soil with pet repellent, or hot pepper spray to discourage her from chewing and digging up the garden. Place chicken wire on the ground around the base of new plants. When she snags her toenails in the wire, she will usually quit digging.

Many canines will dig a hole under a bush or against a wall to lie in during hot weather. Instinct tells them to build a "den" to keep cool. If this isn't acceptable, get a doghouse and put it in the shade to satisfy this denning instinct. Or get a child’s play pool and fill it with a few inches of water so your dog can cool off during the day.

Exercise may be a good outlet for the digger to channel his energy in a fun activity. Walks, games of fetch, training classes, and other activities. May make it easier for him to relax when it's time to settle down.

Additional Solutions
Wire fencing solves a multitude of problems. Run a strip along the bottom of the fence and continue it out into the yard several inches. Then cover it with soil.
Bury water balloons in favorite digging spots. They will pop and startle the dog. (Always supervise your pet to ensure he does not ingest the broken balloon.)
Install a pet door so he can come and go as he pleases. This is often very reassuring to the dog, and relieves the boredom and frustration of being left outside.
Create a digging pit for your dog. Mark off an area with boards where it is okay for him to dig. Partially bury a few bones or other smelly treats, encouraging him to dig there. He'll get the idea quickly. This is especially effective for instinctive diggers such as terriers and arctic breeds.Install a pet friendly electric fence. A hot wire or hidden fence system can be installed around the perimeter of your yard or around the flower beds to keep your dog out.
Suggested Reading
Surviving Your Dog's Adolescence by Carol Lea Benjamin

Dogs for Dummies by Gina Spadafori

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete

Answer 9

Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons. Your dog may be:

seeking entertainment
seeking comfort or protection
seeking escape
seeking prey
seeking attention


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
Recommendations:
We recommend that you search for possible signs of pests and then rid your yard of them. Avoid methods that could be toxic or dangerous to your pets.
Seeking Comfort or Protection
In hot weather, dogs may dig holes in order to lie in the cool dirt. They may also dig to provide themselves with shelter from cold, wind or rain, or to try to find water. Your dog may be digging for protection or comfort if:

The holes are near foundations of buildings, large shade trees or a water source
Your dog doesn't have a shelter or his shelter is exposed to the hot sun or cold winds
You find evidence that your dog is lying in the holes he digs
Recommendations:
We recommend that you provide your dog with other sources for the comfort or protection he seeks.

Provide an insulated doghouse. Make sure it affords protection from wind and sun.
Your dog may still prefer a hole in the ground, in which case you can try the "approved digging area" recommendation described above. Make sure the allowed digging area is in a protected spot.
Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that can't be tipped over.
Seeking Attention
Any behavior can become attention-getting behavior if dogs learn that they receive attention for engaging in it (even punishment is a form of attention). Your dog may be digging to get attention if:

He digs in your presence
His other opportunities for interaction with you are limited
Recommendations:
We recommend that you ignore the behavior.

Don't give your dog attention for digging (remember, even punishment is attention).
Make sure your dog has sufficient time with you on a daily basis, so he doesn't have to resort to misbehaving to get your attention.
Seeking Escape
Dogs may escape to get to something, to get somewhere or to get away from something. For more detailed information, please see our handout: "The Canine Escape Artist." Your dog may be digging to escape if:

He digs along the fence line
He digs under the fence
Recommendations:
We recommend the following in order to keep your dog in the yard while you work on the behavior modifications recommended in our handout: "The Canine Escape Artist."

Bury chicken wire at the base of the fence (sharp edges rolled under)
Place large rocks, partially buried, along the bottom of the fence line
Bury the bottom of the fence one to two feet under the ground
Lay chain link fencing on the ground (anchored to the bottom of the fence) to make it uncomfortable for your dog to walk near the fence
Regardless of the reason for digging, we don't recommend:
Punishment after the fact. Not only does this not address the cause of the behavior, any digging that's motivated by fear or anxiety, will be made worse. Punishment may also cause anxiety in dogs that aren't currently fearful.
Staking a dog out near a hole he's dug or filling the hole with water. These techniques don't address the cause of the behavior, or the act of digging.