How to Stop Your Dog Digging Up The Garden
We all love our dogs, but it can be incredibly frustrating when they decide to dig up our gardens and leave holes everywhere. For some people this represents a loss of many hours spent working on these gardens and can spoil an otherwise perfect relationship with a dog. What steps can be taken to resolve this troublesome behaviour and stop your dog digging in the garden? As with any situation involving obedience training with dogs, you need to understand why the dog is acting out. Any attempt to change a dog's habits, without first understanding what they are thinking is almost sure to backfire and give more hassle than the original problem.
Dogs are complex creatures, and there can be quite a complex mix of factors that make your dog dig up the garden. It can be as simple as them needing somewhere cool on a hot day if they have no shade. It could also simply be their natural urges coming through. It is hardly surprising that some terriers, originally bred for hunting instincts still follow the act of digging animals out of their burrows. Often dogs will make a small area for themselves just to sleep in. Unless they are given their own dog house, they will make one for themselves by digging a burrow.
In most cases, frustration, boredom and a desire for your attention is at the root of hole digging problems. If your dog does not have you around for entertainment and exercise, they will enjoy themselves with some digging. If your dog has no other way of letting out their excess energy, they may well simply do so by tearing up your garden. At least this will get some attention' is what they are thinking. The dog really only wants attention, even if it is negative. Many problems with the behaviour of pets can be traced ultimately to a need for a reaction from their owners.
Taking some time to think about what your dog is thinking will make remedying his behaviour all the easier. A simple shelter that provides shade can be all it takes to stop a dog digging up the grass for some cool dirt. If they are acting up and digging holes because they lack a space for themselves, provide them with a decent dog house. If these problems persist even after you provide solutions you may want to try discouraging digging by putting down chicken wire where the dog likes to dig - this will hurt their paws and make them reconsider their digging.
Remember though, that it is most likely about attention, so try changing their behaviour this way. The dog should know that you reward good behaviour with kindness and warmth. Meanwhile, give no attention to bad behaviour such as digging, other than perhaps a stern reprimand. Cruel punishments do no one any favours and should be avoided for a happy and healthy dog. If you treat your dog with respect, they will respect you back and will feel no need to engage in bad behaviour.
About the Author:
Steven is a dog training enthusiast. To learn more about the topic, check out how to stop dog from digging or how to stop dogs digging
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