My Dog Digs Huge Holes?

Question

I have a 4month old Lab/Mastiff mix. She digs these huge craters (I call them graves LOL). She doesn't do one at time but rather has several going at one time. She doesn't every lay in them to cool off and does it even if it is cold outside, she mainly digs around the edge of the patio but also in the middle of the yard, she does it regardless of the length of time in the backyard. We both work & she has to be outside while we are at work. It's 6 hours outside Monday-Thursday. (We're home with her on the weekends.) She has food & water & a lot of toys. She gets a long walk every other day and we play fetch constantly. Any ideas?

Also, she LOVES water so spraying or sprinklers won't work.

She sleeps in her crate every night but I don't see how (once she's grown) keeping a 100lb dog in a crate (even a huge one) is better than outside where she can run... I'll look into it.

Answer 1

Please don't leave your dog outside. I know it's hard to have a dog in the house all day, but you should buy a crate for her. not only will that keep her from digging outside, but it will be easier to house train her. Start now, it works best if you start at a young age.

I have 3 dogs, all have been crate trained. now they love the crates, it's like a sanctuary. One of my dogs I saved from a shelter, before she was there she had been an "outside only" dog, she didn't have any idea how to act inside. I have a neighbor that leaves their husky outside all day, and he is constantly barking, it's disruptive to everyone else, and the owner doesn't even know about it. not to mention the fact that it is cruel to leave her outside ALL day.

It is very easy to crate train. Just leave her in the crate while you are at work, and at night. leave a bowl of watter during the day, but not at night. when you feed her, feed her in the cage, give her water and treats in the cage. If she does something bad, discipline her and then lock her in the cage. if she knows that she did something wrong and goes in her cage, just leave her in there and lock it.

Answer 2

Since you have the help plant lots of bushes in the holes. lol She really is probably bored and doggie day care or a friend (another pup) might be the answer. Mine digs to get at the squirrels and bunnies, never just for entertainment. One thing that can work is train her to dig on command... when you catch her digging then praise her for digging, then get her to dig and praise her for digging, then train her to stop, once she knows the words that go with her actions she can learn to not do it. (whether she chooses to or not will be a good question she's probably pretty smart and wilful. It's like training them to bark on command so you can get them to stop barking all the time. It works but sometimes only when you are around. Worth the try. Good luck!

Answer 3

Your dog does NOT need to be left outside while you work. It will cause more problems then it solves!! Left outside a dog will become be bored or anxious and dig. Please don't leave your dog outside, they will only develop more behavior problems in the long run, trust me on this or get more information on the subject first before you decide this is the “only” option. Outside dogs may start to bark more, become overly territorial of her yard (particularly true with mastiffs) or learn to escape, and they can become destructive and nervous. Many so called “dangerous dogs” started down that path by being left outside for long periods. Left outside your dog is more likely to be stolen as well. Instead use crate training and employ a dog walker when you can't be there. There is tons of info on crate training on the web if you don't know how and why to do this, and why it is a very important training tool for your girl. There is also tons of info on why dogs should not be alone in a yard during the day. I am sure you are very caring dog owners, but the practice of leaving a dog alone or tied out in the yard should never happen. If you talk to your vet about it as well, they will tell you the same thing (if they don’t, you need a new vet) and may have recommendations for a trustworthy doggie daycare or dog walking service in your neighborhood.

Instead make sure your dog gets a good walk before you need to leave and let her relax in her crate when you are gone. You may need to be walking and running your dog more; she is mix of active breeds and young so a long walk every second day may not be enough to burn off all her puppy energy. At four months she may need to have a doggie daycare or dog walker if she can't hold her bladder for 6 hours, and is a good way to get her the extra exercise she needs to grow up well adjusted. A tired dog is a well behaved dog, so more exercise is always better then less. The fact that she has toys will not stop digging and at four months she should not be given the chance to develop real social and behavior problems by leaving her in a yard alone that long. Dogs are pack animals who don't do well all alone, and if you need to leave yours alone it is far better if she can just relax and sleep in her “den” (crate) to keep her out of trouble and keep her emotionally well. Please, Please don't leave your dog in the yard, and get some info on other options instead. You will avoid lots of other issues if you find other options and she will grow up to be a happier and better pet if you do. I am sure you only leave your pup outside because you think it will be nicer for her to have room to run around and play, but your good intentions may be the start of real problems down the road. Before you or others give me a big thumbs down I ask that you do some research about why your dog will be better off without being left outside, as I am sure you only want your dog to be happy.

Answer 4

Please,forgive me for even saying or thinking this but if you know that you both are not going to be home to take care of a puppy untill late,because u both have too work or something why,can't u find someone who you can trust and that you both know too take care of it wile your away for a few hours?that way they can help the both of you out for when the puppy is home alone digging holes you don't want in your yard.

Answer 5

She's bored and insecure. Do you have a doggy day care where you are?