Dog Trainer Advice: How to Stop Your Dog From Digging
When your dog just will not stop digging you have to start dog training to get him to stop.
Holes make your yard look unsightly and it is but if you are a renter, this can be a reason to get you evicted.
Your dog has absolutely no idea that digging is bad so it is up to you to let him know.
So, you need to stop your dog and you need to do it quick.
First, examine why dogs dig in the first place.
He may be digging because he likes to, he may be bored, he might be looking for attention, he could be chasing bugs, or it could just be his nature, depending on the breed.
Terriers and Labradors are most likely to dig.
The first thing you have to do is to let your dog know that digging is unacceptable and you have to be very consistent.
Next, think about the reasons that dogs dig and then come up with the most likely reason that your dog digs.
If your dog is bored then let him channel that energy somewhere else besides your yard.
Take him for a walk or to play in the park.
Let him fetch the Frisbee! The idea is to get him to work off that excess energy doing something else besides digging.
You may have to crate or keep him inside unless you can supervise him.
When you are supervising him, if he starts digging then you can squirt him with a hose.
The idea is to do something to associate a negative reaction but reward him when he does not dig.
This is reinforcing positive behavior.
Yelling at your dog or punishing him hours after he committed the crime is futile.
You can offer your dog a designated digging area.
Train him that every time he starts to dig in the wrong spot you will move him to this new spot.
When he starts to dig there, reward and praise him! Also, consider the fact that often dogs will dig to get out of the harsh elements, whether they are not or cold.
If this could be the case with your dog then offer him another way to get warm or to cool off.
Dog houses are a great idea and if heat is the problem then make sure your dog has sufficient shade and water.
You will soon see that it does not take long to train a dog to stop digging once and for all.
Holes make your yard look unsightly and it is but if you are a renter, this can be a reason to get you evicted.
Your dog has absolutely no idea that digging is bad so it is up to you to let him know.
So, you need to stop your dog and you need to do it quick.
First, examine why dogs dig in the first place.
He may be digging because he likes to, he may be bored, he might be looking for attention, he could be chasing bugs, or it could just be his nature, depending on the breed.
Terriers and Labradors are most likely to dig.
The first thing you have to do is to let your dog know that digging is unacceptable and you have to be very consistent.
Next, think about the reasons that dogs dig and then come up with the most likely reason that your dog digs.
If your dog is bored then let him channel that energy somewhere else besides your yard.
Take him for a walk or to play in the park.
Let him fetch the Frisbee! The idea is to get him to work off that excess energy doing something else besides digging.
You may have to crate or keep him inside unless you can supervise him.
When you are supervising him, if he starts digging then you can squirt him with a hose.
The idea is to do something to associate a negative reaction but reward him when he does not dig.
This is reinforcing positive behavior.
Yelling at your dog or punishing him hours after he committed the crime is futile.
You can offer your dog a designated digging area.
Train him that every time he starts to dig in the wrong spot you will move him to this new spot.
When he starts to dig there, reward and praise him! Also, consider the fact that often dogs will dig to get out of the harsh elements, whether they are not or cold.
If this could be the case with your dog then offer him another way to get warm or to cool off.
Dog houses are a great idea and if heat is the problem then make sure your dog has sufficient shade and water.
You will soon see that it does not take long to train a dog to stop digging once and for all.
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