Diggers!

[mimijacobs]

Help! I need solutions! My two 110-lb twin female english mastiff mix dogs have decided they like to dig foxholes (they're that deep!) right next to the foundation of my house! How can I stop this? I never can catch them in the act. I come home in the evening from work and there are the holes! I've tried refilling and plugging in grass, planting shrubs (they eat those! then redig!), filling with big rocks (they think those are toys!) and am at the end of my rope!

[cloverfdx]

First off welcome to Pet Talk :).

Do the dogs have their own toys to play with? They could very well be bored and are just making up their own games.

Also do the dogs have somewhere shaded and cool to go during the day, they may be digging to get to the cool ground.

[Glacier]

You can try filling the holes with their own feces under the top layer of dirt. It stops some dogs. You might have to do it alot as they may just move to a new area.

When we lived in the city, my dogs had a sanbox. That was the area they were allowed to dig in. Took some training to teach them, but after that they had a great time--I used to bury treats, bones, toys ect to get them to dig there.

Now I've just given up! Dig away, just not right in front of the door where I might break an ankle!

[mruffruff]

Boy do I know what you mean!

I have buried cheap wire fencing in many spots in my yard. Wherever they dig, I put a layer of fencing and cover it with about 6 inches of dirt. Eventually, they give up digging there.

And start somewhere else.

So my yard has lots of fencing no one can see. The grass grows through the fencing and hides it, but the dogs can't dig there.

With dogs that big, I'd suggest laying a 4 foot high roll of heavy wire fencing all along the foundation and covering it with dirt. They will dog, but since they are standing on the fence, won't get very deep. Hopefully they will get tired of not being able to dig and leave it alone.

Then you just have to worry about where they'll try next.

Good luck!

Mary

[LorraineO]

I heard that burying chicken coop wiring just under the surface and securing it into the gorund discourages digging,, thye hate the feel of it on thier feet....

also what Glacier said,,,, make them a sandbox for thier digging..... it does take time to cure... but eventually they catch on and have a wonderful time in the sandbox and not in your yard!

[dms]

You need to get them both a few really big kong toys, then stuff them with everything they love (just remember to reduce their meal food to account for this or they'll end up with a weight problem). Stuff them in such a way that it is not easy to get at the food or treats but not impossible either. Peanut butter can be added as well. This should keep them occupied while you are away, especially if they are food driven.

There are also some good books out their on dog behaviour that deal with digging problems.