Digging

[Mirg]

Simetra was doing so great, but today, she decided she wanted to tear up our yard. She dug a huge hole, trying to get a tree root. When i catch her doing it, she usually runs, but i take her and just lead her over to the hole and say "No!". Then i take A.j. in (ive watched them through a window, A.j. just trying to play with her, shes the one digging) and leave her ouside, alone, for a few minutes. Anyone have any suggestions? I read in a book that you can put their own feces (dont know if thats spelt right) in the hole they dug, but i have 4 dogs, how do i know what ones are hers? Maybe just getting a bunch of toys for her will help, or not leaving her outside long enough to do that. Im not sure what to do.

[Rivsky]

Is it possible to designate an area to her specifically for digging in? (River has his own sandpit to dig in - he used to go along burying pigs ears along the fence line but now they all go into the sandpit instead).

[Dogsareme]

I have tried doing the feces things myself. It stops them from digging in that one spot alright, but it doesn't stop them from trying other spots. But it is an easy way to clean up the feces

But I have recently found out an error I have been making in filling the holes with feces. The error is I always have the dogs outside with me when I do it and they see me. I don't know if this really makes a difference but I'm willing to try. Also I read to put lava rocks along with the feces into these holes.

I am also putting in a sandbox for the dogs. I'm going to bury some toys and treats in the sandbox so I will incourage them to do it there and keep them from digging up the yard.

[Mirg]

Rivsky - Thanks, i will see if we can build a sandbox or something! I doubt we can, but its worth a try.

Dogsareme - Ok, if it worked at least a little bit with you, i will give it a try. We definantly have a lot of feces to choose from, our dogs are so picky about where they relieve themself #2 (everyone but Simetra) that they all go in one corner of the yard so its like a bomb-infested area. I want to go get the yard cleaned up, but i have to wait for it to dry up, the weather is teasing me, it will be sunny one day, but just as its almost dry, it snows again.


I realized something just now, though. Wiener used to dig, until i put his favorite basketball out there. So hopefully a combination of Simetra's favorite toys and putting feces in the holes will stop it. I will throw some toys out there tomarrow.

[kalija]

We used the feces method with Dutchess when she was younger. Our yard looked like a mine field for a while. It takes some time but it worked. She dug a hole, I put feces in it, she would dig a different one, I'd put feces in it. And so on. I think it took a couple weeks but she stopped digging. I don't think it matters which dogs feces you use. I know some people think its mean to do this, but it worked for us.

[Mirg]

Ok, thank you!

I didnt get to try anything today. It was snowing all day so the dogs werent out much anyway.