Dog Digging Problems--Learn Some Easy Solutions
Having a dog is wonderful. It can provide hours of fun and enjoyment; however, when your dog starts tearing up your landscape, frustration often sets in and sometimes damages that wonderful relationship.
If you have been around dogs for very long, you know one of the activities they enjoy is digging. Dogs are great diggers, but unless you have a designated area, and you have trained your dog to only dig in that certain area, they can tear up a nicely manicured yard quickly. One of the big dog digging problems is digging under fences to escape. If you have a problem with a digging dog, read on for a few tips that can help.
Take Them for a Walk
One reason dogs dig is because they are bored or lonely. If your dog starts to exhibit the desire to dig, take him for a walk. Even a short walk can take their mind off the desire to dig. Be careful; however, not to walk your dog if you catch him in the act of digging. Walking him to replace digging could reinforce his desire to dig by seeming like a reward for digging.
If you catch your dog digging, discourage the behavior with a voice command or another predetermined training technique. After the dog has stopped, remove them from the digging spot and try to gain their attention through a different activity. After some time has passed, you may then take your dog for a walk. Always try to discourage negative behavior and encourage positive behavior through reinforcement of good behavior.
Give Them a Toy
Another successful technique to stop your pet from digging is to provide them with a toy. As previously mentioned, one reason for digging is boredom. The more entertained your dog is the less of a tendency they have to dig. You can find a lot of all-purpose toys to purchase from your local store, or you can purchase toys specifically created for dogs from on-line specialty pet stores.
Whatever you decide to do, consider another tip which is to occasionally vary the toys your dog plays with. Purchase a new toy for your dog every month or so or just have a few toys you rotate around so your dog does not get bored of the same old toy. Providing new and interesting entertainment is a great way to help your dog keep his mind off the desire to dig.
Provide Then With Training
If these simple techniques do not work, you are going to have to bring out the big guns-you are going to have to actually spend the time it takes to train your dog not to dig. You can either do this yourself, or you can hire a dog trainer. Either method will require a cost. If you choose to train the dog yourself, you will need to learn specific dog training methods and take the time to consistently apply those methods to train your dog.
The most effective methods of training your pet involve positive reinforcement. Avoid negative reinforcement techniques as they are generally not as effective and can create tension or even cause injury to your pet. The cost involved with training your dog yourself is the required time and consistency it will take to complete the task. Be aware that consistency is one of the most important parts of a training program, and it will take time.
The other option in training your dog is to hire a dog trainer. This method of training will of-course cost you monetarily instead of costing you time. Fortunately, there are a lot of excellent professionals who train dogs for a living. If you have a dog you feel needs the professional touch, or even if you have tried yourself and now need help, the choice of a professional dog trainer is a good option.
When looking for a professional trainer, spend the time to get referrals and take the time to interview each candidate. You will want to make sure you hire a competent, dog-friendly trainer to work with your dog. Also make sure the trainer uses positive reinforcement as the foundation of their training program.
Choose a Method and Be Consistent
Having a dog that consistently digs in the yard can be stressful and lead to unhealthy situations for your dog if it is a behavior you wish to discourage. Sometimes digging problems can be solved easily by consistently walking your dog or providing interesting toys for it to play with. Other times, perhaps in more entrenched cases, you may need to hire a professional trainer to help. You may try all or just a few of these techniques, but as you provide the encouragement for your dog to stop the behavior of digging, you will create a happier, healthier environment for you and your dog.
Thomas Toleman is a writer who specializes in sports and pets. He has been a pet owner all his life and helps train pets with behavior problems. You can check out his latest website at Dog Training, where he provides suggestions to commons problems like, Dog Potty Training, Leash Training a Dog Training, and more.
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