How do you stop dog from digging?

[Dirk]

I'm tired of filling up holes only to have my dog redig them. I take him on two walks a day and I play with him every day so I don't think he's bored. Also, he's a 15 month old lab/terrier mix.

What is the best way to stop him from digging?

[houndlove]

How much time does he spend in the yard unsupervised?

One way some people deal with digging is to designate a permitted "digging spot". Some people will use a child's swimming pool, or a sandbox filled with a mix of sand and topsoil, or just have a corner of the yard that it's okay to dig in (we have a spot under some trees off to the side that we use as lawn clipping/brush pile anyway that the dogs like to dig in). You reward the dog for digging in that spot (and some people will even on purpose 'bury treasure' for the dog to find in that spot) and supervise while he's outside the rest of the time so you can redirect to the approved digging spot the instant he starts digging anywhere else.

[squirtsmom]

Constant s upervision when outside. We have a great pyrenees, and they are notorious diggers. We have one spot in the yard just for her to dig in, and she never goes anywhere else.

[Xerxes]

Rather than try to stop the digging, redirect the digging into a more appropriate digging spot.

Terriers and labs both have enormous amounts of energy. Terriers do just what their name says...they go to ground.

Most people I know that have diggers will build a "digging pit" in their yard where it's appropriate for the dog to dig. They teach the dog that it's appropriate to dig there and no where else.

[Cheetah]

I've also read you can put the dog's poop in the holes and bury them up, and it's supposed to help deter the dog from digging there again.

[milos_mommy]

Hahaha. How do you stop a terrier from digging?!?

Buddy, if you figure that one out, you're a genius.

With Milo, we just keep an eye on him, and when he starts to dig, tell him " NO!" and redirect his attention, give him a toy or something.

Also, giving him a sandbox or something is good, you can bury some yummy treats or toys in there so he'd rather dig there then in the garden.

[Dirk]

We don't supervise him a lot. For example, we put him outside when we eat. I will try to redirect him to a place where it's OK to dig.

Thanks!

[houndlove]

I've learned over the years that you can either have a dog who spends a fair amount of time outside unsupervised OR you can have nice landscaping. But those two things tend to be mutually exclusive.

[heartdogs]

Hahaha. How do you stop a terrier from digging?!?

Buddy, if you figure that one out, you're a genius.

You know what they say - if you can't beat 'm. join 'em. Make a digging pit. Bury some milk bones in it. Help Fido dig them up. Viola, he keeps going back to the right spot to see if he can unearth the "treasure".

[adojrts]

I have a house full of terriers, digging is what they do. We have places that they can dig, and often enjoy watching them.

I personally don't think it is fair to completely stop them from doing what was deliberately breed into them.

Lynn

[Zoom]

Echoing what people said about the digging pit and then adding that I've had great success with putting poop in the holes you don't want dug in more and then spreading a thin layer of dirt over that so I don't have to look at piles of poo. But the dog can tell it's there and most dogs are VERY hesitant to get their paws dirty like that.

[Kayota]

I've learned over the years that you can either have a dog who spends a fair amount of time outside unsupervised OR you can have nice landscaping. But those two things tend to be mutually exclusive.

Yeah - my mom makes the dogs live outside, and... you have to watch your step for holes. Yyyyep.

[ACooper]

We gave up trying to make them stop........we put in a sandpit in the far corner of the yard. It's not very big, and it has some hostas planted around it to make it look prettier, LOL
Great exercise, AND it also makes it longer between dremmeling those pesky nails :D

[Barb04]

Putting poop in the hole is fine as long as your dog doesn't like poop.

[heartdogs]

Putting poop in the hole is fine as long as your dog doesn't like poop.

That's right - some do find it a delicacy...:eek: