problem digging

[lovemyshiba]

Abbey is digging so much lately.
It started out early in the summer, when there was a chipmunk hole by the tree--she and Kito loved to dig at it. We ended up putting a gate over it, so they couldn't get to it. The made a new spot, and a "path" around the tree, so recently we fenced off half of the yard to put some new seed down, and the dogs still have plenty of room to play.
Now she has started in right by the porch-in the mud.
Our yard was just installed in June, so we still had a few patches that needed to be re-seeded, so that is where she is always digging--not in the grass, but in the dirt.
I don't think the way my yard looks is more important than my dogs, but I would like the grass to grow throughout, so there are no bare patches for them to dig in. She has no interest in digging at the fence, or in the grass, and I am very thankful for that.
I wanted to get her a sandbox earlier in the year, but I didn't, thinking it was just the chipmunk she was going after.

The woman at the pet store said "Oh, she must be bored" , but I cannot imagine how. She has 3 other dogs to play with, and I am out there everyday throwing the frisbee and tennis balls for her. They have a ton of toys out there too--ropes to tug, and stuff like that. She gets a lot of attention, and a daily walk or 2.

I'm just looking for any advice to help me stop her. Its almost as if she cannot resist when she walks past the dirt spot--like it's compulsive or something. My husband thinks I'm nuts, but ever since Jada came to live with us, she's been "Daddy's Girl"--I think he needs to pay Abbey a little more attention.

Anyway, any advice on keeping her from digging would be appreciated greatly.

[shelley]

Amonia in the hole he's dug and his own waste helps deter some dogs. Worked with my Golden and Labrador.

[Pam]

Emily you have my sympathy! Bella used to be quite a digger and her area of choice was my flowerbed. Of course it was always much more enjoyable for her to do it after a rain! That way she could track *four nawtee little muddy paws* into the house! I temporarily placed pieces of slate in that flowerbed, trying to be as decorative as possible, with the thought that maybe someone would think it was a new type of gardening craze! LOL! It worked and she soon left that area alone.

Unfortunately then she would pick any area of the yard at all, and she often chose places where the grass was doing really well. (I have a lot of shade in my yard and can't get grass to grow everywhere). What finally stopped her amazingly was bringing Ripley into the household. Now when she is out there she seems to have forgotten all about digging. Since Abbey already has playmates she has other reasons to be digging, known only to her. If only we knew why they do what they do? I think there are a few "digging" threads from way back when Bella was in her heyday! You may need to do a search, but I remember some very good advice in those threads. Good luck!

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Daisy was a HUGE digger. Thankfully, it slowed down a lot. Try burying her waste in the hole/holes shes dug. Worked for me! I've also have people tell me to put mousetraps in the holes, but I think that's cruel!

Good Luck!

[clara4457]

I don't have this problem, but one thing I have read is burying wire mesh where they want to dig. Apparently the grass will grow through it and dogs don't like the feel of it when they dig. I read on the Great Pets board about someone who had to do that around the circumference of her fence because she had a dog that would constantly dig under the fence and get out. That totally solved the problem.

Of course give it another month and the ground will be so frozen that she can't dig anymore!

[captain]

One of my friends did the chicken wire thing ....... and that worked really well.

I have been lucky. Captain only dug 2 holes his entire life!!! BUT Ruby monster - I put black pepper and her own poo in the hole. So far, so good!

[pitc9]

Sierra digs for moles.... and she follows there paths... so she makes what looks like maze going through the yard!!!!

But pretty soon, the ground will be frozen... and no more moles till Spring
Then... we'll start all over!

I try to catch her in the act, It's hard because I never know when she's going to find one!! But once I catch her in the act, and tell her "No Dig" she'll stop for a little bit.
I should really try poo.... I don't know why I haven't already!

[anna_66]

I totally understand where your coming from Emily. Roxey has been quite the digger in the 2 years we've had her And Huney...she holds her own too
Yep, we've had the mazes through our yard from moles, but we've also had just random digging throughout the yard (holes that are almost a foot deep )
We've found that poo in the hole really works (for us). I hope it works for you too!

[micki76]

I really think you should get her a playpool (or build her a small box, like a sandbox) and fill it with dirt for her to dig in. It obviously relieves her tension, so I'd give her a place and teach her that it's ok to dig. Really tamp the dirt down hard and don't use sand. And of course in combination with that, any of the above methods to deter her from digging in the spots where you don't want her to.

[K9karen]

Geesh..how timely! I was going to post the same question! Cody wasn't a digger, but Klo has sure made up for it! (her trainer said she was part Beagle and I think she's right) We have moles, chipmunks, groundhogs, all sorts of critters and I think she smells their burrows. Thanks for the tips! I'll try putting mesh in the 2 holes to China!

[lizbud]

Buddy was an avid digger. He'd always chose a spot under a shrub or next to the house. He was able to get a foot deep in
no time. It was usually after a rain when the ground was still
damp. I never tried to deter him from it because it gave him so
much pleasure. He would then drop his outdoor toys in the hole,
or lay in it like a den bed. It's not like I would accidently walk
into one of them or anything, so I didn't see the harm in it.
Smokey also likes to dig sometimes, but he does it just for the
feel of the dirt I guess, he never uses the hole later. If he digs
along the fence line I just put a few bricks in the hole & he stops
the excavation site.

[K9karen]

Liz....I was so enthralled (and ouched) by Klo's herding qualities, I didn't realize GSD's dig. I thought it more of a hound thing, but sounds like any breed can do it. She also runs around the yard in circles as fast as she can, pulling out globs of grass at the same time! I'm telling you, she's a trip!

[lizbud]

Originally posted by K9karen
Liz.... She also runs around the yard in circles as fast as she can, pulling out globs of grass at the same time! I'm telling you, she's a trip!

Karen, LOL. I get a mental image of her doing that. Klo is
the picture of a young, healthy & very happy dog. These are
the good times & even the simple things in our lives with them
can bring the most pleasure to us. Has Logan gotten better
about the "herding,nipping" thing? I'm sure Carrie would have
some suggestions for you if she hasn't already told you.

Buddy was & Smokey is such a good dog in all the ways I feel
are important for them to be, so I really feel the digging is just
letting them be dogs. Not holes just everywhere & anywhere in
the yard, but a few spots are o.k..Know what I mean? Hugs &
kisses to your sweetie Logan from me & Smokey.

[K9karen]

Well, I wouldn't mind the deep holes if I wasn't always falling into them! Of course they're only in the spots where I generally walk to go down our slope, as it's not as steep! You're right! I have to keep reminding mom that even though Cody didn't do HER things, he was quite an active young boy! Yep! She seems really really happy and alert and eager to please. I'm a tinge more consistent with her. She's always watching me for a reaction. Quick as a whip, sharp as a tack and faster than a speeding bullet! Sniffies, tail wags and a loving ruff to you and Smokey too!BTW,,When she tries to herd me, I stand still and give her a firm "No bites" and it's working. She hasn't run directly INTO me anymore, but gets really close. When I put my hands on my hips, she immediately sits. I try not to snicker, it's so cute.

[lovemyshiba]

the poo is working!!!!

As sick as it sounds, it has to be one of the girls' poo--Kito will eat his and Riley's, so he would dig then!!!