How do I stop my dog from digging holes?

Question

BIG holes ... knee deep. He's only 8 months old so I'd like ot break him of this habit while he's still young.

Answer 1

Give him a sandpit and only allow digging in this area. To get him to do that, you might need to cover the other areas temporarily with chicken wire. It's already a habit I hate to say and so now you need to do damage control and try to break the habit.

You need to find out why he's doing it. Is he a high energy dog? they need about 3 hours, maybe more of human-lead exercise a day and when they've had enough, you'll know, they will come home and lay down. Some basic obedience training is essential and start now!! You should start training a puppy as soon as you bring it home.

If you can't do it, get in a dog walker. Don't use shock collars, many dogs turn aggressive with the use of these. If you must use a collar get a citronella spray with a remote activator.

Answer 2

It's just a dog's habit, doesn't mean boredom or anything like that. Mine digs while we're at the beach, and she is CERTAINLY not bored there! Okay, try gathering up some of your dog's poo and put it in the hole, not very deep, then cover over the top with earth. Most dogs hate their own poo so if he digs there again he will get a nasty surprise and with any luck never try it again. But if he does dig another one, keep doing the same thing and eventually he should get the message. I say "should" because unfortunately some dogs EAT their own excrement. Let's hope yours isn't one of them!

Good luck and post to let everyone know if it works ... it did for me (fingers crossed, my poopy, er, puppy, is still only four months!)

Answer 3

Hi, you can purchase chemicals at the pet sore to put on the area but is usually doesn't work. Putting poop in the holes usually doesn't work either. The only other option is putting chicken wire at the bottom of the hole and covering it with lava rock and then then dirt. I have found that that always works. Shock collars work too, but you have to catch the dog in the act. The only other option is to keep the dog away from that area.

Answer 4

He ain't lab is he? Yeah,mine dig swimming pools also.They dig down so they can find a cool spot to lay. I know you don't want to know why they dig just how to stop them.
I have been told that if you lay chicken wire down in your yard they will not dig where the chicken wire is. you are suppose to cover it in the dirt and when they start to dig they get it tangled in there feet and will stop digging.
The only other thing I know is,Get a shock collar and every time you see it to start to dig....ZAP HIM.................
After about 10 or 12 good ones he should not dig.
I personally just keep a pile of replacement dirt around. After a whole gets so big I just fill it in. They go on to the next one..

Answer 5

Fill the hole with its own poop(sorry so graphic) and cover it up. It should stop digging holes in that area. But you have to keep up with it. Did it to my dog & it works!

Answer 6

man when u find a way to quit dogs from digging holes, give me a cal, my dog does the same thing

kirbi

Answer 7

Take your dog to dog obedience classes and they will go through how to teach your dog not to do it. Also they will teach it to come so when he is is digging you can tell him to come over to you which he will and he will stop digging. Or take him inside. There's no dirt to dig inside.

Answer 8

i have golden retrievers and they love to dig holes in my back yard so the thing i do is put their poop in the hole and then cover it in with the dirt. they try to dig there again but when they get the smell of their own poop they don't dig there anymore. so put poop at bottom, cover with dirt and then add more of their poop to the top and the put dirt over that. this has stopped mine from digging. i know it sounds gross but for me it works. try it and see what happens. good luck

Answer 9

I had a dog trainer that said to fill the hole with water then drag your pooch over to it and dunk his face, he's gonna fight you but do it 3 times. you may have to be persistent but our German Shepard quickly learned that digging = dunking.

Answer 10

There is a sour apple spray that you can buy from, pet pros, petco, or a local pet store. You spray it on holes that he will posibily dig in, he will smell it and will leave it alone. it is not harmfull to the animal and your dog will not eat it, and if he does it is not poisonis.Good luck!!!!!!!!!