My dog KNOWS its wrong, so why does she still do it?

Question

I have an almost 1 year old jack russell / heeler mix. She is pretty smart. Whenever I'm around her she is the perfect dog.

Once she's alone though, she digs and chews everything in the backyard. I've repeatedly caught her in the act and said NO! to her. Now, when I walk toward a hole she's dug, before I even get there she crouches down and puts her tail between her legs.

So, she KNOWS what she's doing is wrong, but she keeps doing it anyway! How do I get her to stop this?

Answer 1

Jack Russells are so cute! And soooo full of energy. They are born to dig. Some owners provide a big pile of sand for them to dig up - like a doggie sand box. Its a good way to let the dog do what it was bred to do, while leaving the rest of your yard in peace.

Other than that, play hard with your JR to wear her out more. She's young and full of life. She needs lots and lots of play. Have you ever thought about taking up agility training? It's fun for both the dog and owner.

Lots of exercise is the key. Good luck - and enjoy your lively little companion.

Answer 2

Right and unsuitable is an ethical/moral proposal method that puppies don't own. There isn't any correct or unsuitable within the animal global. Dogs do what their instincts and wishes inform them to do. By themselves, they have got no impulse manage whatever. They desire whatever, they take it. Period. The behaviors you defined are not anything greater than behavioral conditioning. She pees at the flooring, you yell/spank her. It may not take her lengthy to determine the response to her motion, but it surely doesn't suggest she is aware that it is "unsuitable", she simply is aware that you're going to punish her. She's no longer showing guilt or regret or whatever else, the ones are merely human feelings. She's showing worry and anxiousness given that she expects to be punished. Dogs partner very good- the sound of the vehicle door = you're residence, the sound of the refrigerator = meals popping out, and so on. That's so far as they take it. They don't make any try to method or rationalize the purpose/final result past the visible. Nor do they ever real realise that distinctive behaviors are "unhealthy"- they readily study that the bad penalties of that targeted habits are unwanted, and that the habits isn't valued at the outcome it is going to carry.

Answer 3

She doesn't know she is wrong, she just knows you are angry. Dogs simply cannot understand delayed punishment. If you can't catch her in the act EVERY time, you can't correct her. It is very natural and fun for terriers to dig. If she is outside by herself, she may be bored or hot and digging a hole will give her something to do and a cool place to lie in. If you don't want holes in the yard, then don't leave her out there alone. Or, make a digging pit in one corner of the yard and bury fun things for her. This will encourage her to dig in that area.

Answer 4

Jack Russells are used to dig out and catch rats in their burrows, she's only doing what comes naturally to her. They are notorious for hole digging, the only way you can try to get her over it is more toys to take her mind of holes or knacker her out on walks.

Answer 5

No she doesnt know what she is doing is wrong, she knows what she is doing makes you angry and punish her. Thats all she knows, she associates your negativity with those acts thats all, dogs dont have a sense of right and wrong. Anyway just fill the holes with her dog poop, and she will learn that digging isnt rewarding. it works for my dogs. They also know that they get in trouble if I catch them digging, but they dont think digging is wrong because of it and they still do it occasionally. However filling the holes with poop works because you dont have to catch them in the act, they dig, find it is unpleasant and negative experience to step in their own poop and that way they learn that digging is no longer positive and they stop.

PS Digging isnt "wrong" by the way its a natural dog behaviour especially in terriers, they were bred to dig. Now since you have a dog meant for digging but dont want her to dig it becomes and undesirable behaviour that you want to stop.. doesnt make it wrong, just something you have to outsmart the dog about to fix.

Answer 6

Jack russels love to dig. Nothing you can really do to stop it. She is getting attention from you by doing it, so she sees no need to stop.

Answer 7

She's bored, JRT's are very smart busy dogs, their origional purpose is hunting rodents and exterminating them, they need something to do, if you won't find something acceptable for them to do, they will find something for themselves, and trust me, you won't like the results. they are also diggers because in their hunt for rodents, they go under ground after them. Get her a kong, a play mate might be a better answer, someone to keep her busy, dogs are community animals, they are used to living in families, be it human or canine, they HATE to be alone. Doing something bad is a way to get your attention, it works too, so she figures any attention is better than none.

Answer 8

Maybe she knows you will get upset and it's a cry for attention do you find yourself not being home alot with your dog? Is she left alone alot? Take her to a dog park! You have enogh tim to write that short story you should have enough time to spend with her!

Answer 9

ALL terriers love to dig. When my terrier hasn't had enough attention or exercise, he'll dig random holes in the yard. It's just what he does. If you exercise your dog enough, and play with her enough, she won't exhibit this behavior.

Answer 10

I know why she is doing this, she as a dog loves attention, they will do anything to get attention they don't even care what kind of attention it is so next time scold her without touching and when she doesn't do that give her alot of good attention and it will hopefully work.