Dog Training Basics

To stop dogs from digging,try and understand why and by doing so you have a chance of solving the problem and reducing your own stress levels as a result.

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Traditional training techniques don’t seem to work in controlling dog digging behavior.

Training doesn’t work well on digging, because it’s a behavior that is hardwired into your dog’s instincts. Certain things trigger the impulse to dig; once triggered, it won’t stop. Not, that is, unless you remove the thing that triggered it.

From our point of view its pretty hard to understand as your dog doesnt seem to be getting anywhere with it apart from destroying your garden possibly. Sometimes figuring out the motivation behind the digging is difficult for us, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one.

But even if his digging seems pointless, it isn’t. There are several reasons digging is such a powerful urge. It’s connected to many of a dog’s natural survival instincts.

For example, if you dog’s digging seems to be concentrated along the edge of his fenced play area, or at a gate, the instinct that’s driving him is that to escape. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’s afraid of something inside the fence, or wants to “run away, ” though–dogs also try to dig out simply to explore, or because being enclosed just triggers the urge to have more space.

There’s another instinct that can cause the impulse to dig. That is the desire to hunt. Some dogs are more likely to respond to hunting impulses this way. Terriers, for example. However, any breed of dog may manifest hunting instincts through digging. To pinpoint this cause, watch your dog’s behavior and location while digging. If he seems excited and inspects the hole often, sniffing and wagging his tail, that’s probably what’s happening.

Digging has proven a versatile behavior for survival, so there are other instincts linked to it as well. These include hiding and hoarding impulses–like when your dog buries bones, and seeking protection from the elements.

More help on dog training methods?

There are a few things to understand which can help you reduce or eliminate all types of digging. The first is that punishment for digging does not work. Giving your dog a reprimand may stop him digging, then but its not a long term solution.

Secondly if you can remove what it is that causes him to dIg or make it less fun, he will stop.If he is trying to get out then put some large stones where he digs or some fencing.If he digs for some sort of protection, don’t leave him outside for too long or provide him with some sort of shelter

Lastly, boredom and anxiety make digging behaviors escalate. These can result from spending too much time alone. Be sure you spend time together training, and playing. Teaching him games that provide mental and physical exercise helps too,games like fetch or catch.

Digging is all part of a dogs character and it cannot be taken away totally. But you can outsmart them, and with proper strategies, you can stop dog from digging.

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