I am not digging the digging :-)

[mrbumps]

Hi,

Well Harvey is getting much better now with his nipping and his toilet training. Now he has found digging.

I had found the odd small hole in the garden and had seen him having a go in one of the borders, when I see he gets a stern NO. But last night I found a hole behind a bush almost as deep as he is tall . Seems he has a good talent, one I wish we could put to better use.

So any ideas how I stop this? I thought about putting slabs or something hard over the holes but where I have done this he just moves the side and does some more and without turning my garden into a concrete paradise I am at a bit of a loss as I very rarely catch him doing it.

Once again any help would be wonderful.

Thanks

Steve

[mrbumps]

Thought you might like to see Harvey. :-)

[Cassiepeia]

First, I'd never leave him in the yard on his own and then I'd find him something else to occupy his time when he is in the yard (supervised).
It's no good punishing a dog (saying "no") who digs. Digging, in itself, is fun and rewarding and so the dog will keep doing it regardless of how many times you tell it off (it's what they call a 'self rewarding' behaviour).
So, you'll need to find him something to do that's even more fun (toys, raw meaty bones, bubble blower with special pet bubble liquid -don't use normal soap- etc...).
If it's possible to erect a small fence around the gardens or areas he digs, that might be an idea to stop him from digging there. Even chicken wire over the garden beds might help stop him.

Alternatively, I've heard that people can redirect their dogs digging to a sandpit. Make the sandpit inviting (and more interesting than the garden) by burying little treats and things in it for the dog to find.

Cass.

[mrbumps]

Hi,

I think I have only been able to say no to him about twice as you just don't see him doing it. Not leaving him alone in the garden is not as easy as it might sound. The garden is long and he is used to having free roam and I don't want to take that away.

in the same way fencing off is not an option and if I did the chicken wire that would have to be the entire grass areas as well as he has dug in the middle of the lawn.

I might think about the sand pit though. That sounds like the sort of solution he would enjoy.

Good information about why he does it as well. I didn't realise that.

Thanks

Steve

[Cassiepeia]

The free roam thing is more for you than for him. I mean I know he enjoys it (what dog wouldn't? LOL), but you feel good giving him free roam and you don't want to feel bad about taking it away.
Your dog really won't care that much as long as he still gets to spend time in the backyard. And honestly, he'll enjoy spending time there a lot more if you're with him everytime he's there. Dogs don't want to be isolated from their families. They're pack animals and need to be with their families as much as possible.
So I'd still suggest not letting him be in the yard unsupervised unless you have no other choice. It's also for his safety, not just to stop the digging.

But, having said that...it's totally your choice, so of course only do what you think will work for you and your dog. Every situation is different.

Ever since I heard it as a solution I thought the sandpit idea was a great fun way to solve the problem. I'm sure Harvey will love it. Oh and he's such a gorgeous little man. Great photo!

Cass.