Pete.the.dog Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 Hi Guys, I've got a 11-12 month mutt from the pound, Pete, I've had him for about 4 months and I am having MAJOR trouble with this hole digging thing - especially since I'm in a rental property! My problem is that when I go out (and Pete is outside when I'm not home because I share house) Pete digs holes - and he is very good at it too - they are nice and deep and it's not just soft dirt he digs up he digs in the middle of the grass through the roots and everything! I know it's not to find a cool spot - because it's winter - and it's not to find somewhere like a den - because he sleeps happily in his kennel all night. I fill his holes with poo and he digs new ones - I put chilly powder on the holes and he digs new ones - I have even stood there looking like an absolute fool yelling at the holes and hitting them with newspaper.. He hasn't done it in a while, because I've been home practically all day lately studying so he's been spending more time with me. I left him for 4 hours to go to an exam and got back to two holes. I'm pretty sure he knows its wrong and he never digs when I'm around. Also, I can't 'wear him out' because he has hurt his thigh muscle and is ordered to rest for the next two weeks. It's not like every time he's outside and thinks I've got he digs holes either, it's just sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. I used to take him to my boyfriends to play with there dog but he digs even bigger holes at their place so I feel too bad taking him there anymore! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) Oh dear rental accomodation, too I'm pretty sure he knows its wrong and he never digs when I'm around. NOoooo !! He doesn't dig while you're around, because he is happy...he is with his pack...he has company and entertainment, and is allowed indoors.... why should he dig? What does he have to use up his mental energy while you are away? Does he have interactive toys/treatballs/bones/kongs/rope toys to toss/a soccerball to chase/some juice bottles with a few bits of kibble in- to rattle ,chew and shake...??? If he has toys like this- maybe you need to rotate them.. so he doesn't become bored? what about getting him a clamshell or something as a sand pit... then burying treats /toys and teaching him to dig there? It may stop a few holes elsewhere...and he gets rewarded for it! a couple of hintshere- but as he has an injury... not practical at the moment Edited June 23, 2009 by persephone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete.the.dog Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 Oh dear rental accomodation, too I'm pretty sure he knows its wrong and he never digs when I'm around. NOoooo !! He doesn't dig while you're around, because he is happy...he is with his pack...he has company and entertainment, and is allowed indoors.... why should he dig? What does he have to use up his mental energy while you are away? Does he have interactive toys/treatballs/bones/kongs/rope toys to toss/a soccerball to chase/some juice bottles with a few bits of kibble in- to rattle ,chew and shake...??? If he has toys like this- maybe you need to rotate them.. so he doesn't become bored? what about getting him a clamshell or something as a sand pit... then burying treats /toys and teaching him to dig there? It may stop a few holes elsewhere...and he gets rewarded for it! a couple of hintshere- but as he has an injury... not practical at the moment He's got ropes, kongs with kibble and or peanut butter, toilet rolls with kibble, his favourite toy on a rope that sometimes entertains him for hours. I thought about the clamshell but considering he only digs when I am around how am I don't know how I'd teach him clamshell = good digging and I'm worried it may encourage all digging, i.e he might think treats are buried in the whole back yard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chepet Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 (edited) Hi , I know this sounds ridiculous , but when my dog started to dig a few holes , my son told my to put his poop in them when I pooper scoop , sounds silly , but IT WORKED !!!! go figure -- sorry just re read that you tried that , I'll keep thinking !!! Edited June 25, 2009 by chepet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puppymum Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I know it's not to find a cool spot - because it's winter - and it's not to find somewhere like a den - because he sleeps happily in his kennel all night. Your're right - he's most likely digging because it is FUN! When you go out he gets bored and lonely, and digging is both good fun and stress relief for him. You need to find something else for him to do (which may be easier said than done ) Instead of just giving him toys to play with, you could try a game of hide and seek - put toys or food in various places around the yard, and try and put some where he has to put a bit of effort into retrieving them. You might have to start simple and show him the toys/food at first while he learns, and make things more difficult as you go along. It is also possible that he is frustrated and upset when you go out and he is left alone. Try to make sure there is not a huge contrast in his life between when you are home and when you are not - for example if when you are home he is inside and there is a lot of interaction between you and he gets a huge amount of attention, it would be a huge shock to be left outside alone and he may be digging to deal with the stress. Make sure that when you come and go there are no big hello/goodbye scenes, and that you keep everything as low-key as possible. Also try to make sure you do some training each day, even if it is just a few minutes here and there of sit or something - this will actually help increase his confidence. If he really enjoys digging, it might be best to try to provide him somewhere he allowed to dig, and encouraging him to dig there. If he digs at all when you are home you can take him to that spot every time he starts to dig and he should learn quickly that it is the right spot for digging. If he only digs when you are away, you will need to try making it the most attractive spot to dig. You should try burying treats in that spot so he is rewarded when he digs them up. Try to block off the other areas he likes to dig in, perhaps putting bricks on the ground or covering with wire. Just don't try to block off ALL the digging spots, or getting past the barriers to dig will just become his new sport - you just want to make your selected digging spot the most attractive spot for him to dig in. I fill his holes with poo and he digs new ones - I put chilly powder on the holes and he digs new ones - I have even stood there looking like an absolute fool yelling at the holes and hitting them with newspaper.. This is a good way to teach him to never dig in the same spot twice!! These sorts of methods only work to move a dog away from a particular area, not to stop digging altogether. The more you do this, the more widespread the destruction will be. I'm pretty sure he knows its wrong and he never digs when I'm around. No, he's just not bored or frustrated when you are around! If you have got upset when seeing him digging in the past he may also have learnt that you don't like watching him dig, which means to him he should do it when you are not watching. This doesn't mean he knows it is "wrong". If he did, he wouldn't do it, regardless of whether you are there or not. Also, in regard to "wearing him out" - even though he has an injured leg you can give him lots of stimulation when you are home - mental exercise is just as important as physical. Try practicing commands etc. or playing games like hide and seek to give him some mental stimulation. If none of these things help, you should probably consult a professional trainer - often more specific details (like where and when the digging FIRST occurred etc.) can be necessary to determine the exact cause of the behavior & deal with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuffles Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Holes in the middle of the grass? I wouldn't know what that's like... Once I resigned myself to the fact that our yard will need completely new turf one day, and that I was doing everything I could to ensure my dog was happy and healthy, it became much less stressful. He likes digging holes - oh well. Giving him a sandpit and hiding things there DID help and he now only digs occasionally. We also worked out that he digs if he's been given a bone in the yard the night before, must be because the smell sticks around. Also, he might just need some more adjustment time - our boy was still "settling in" for at least 6 months, if not more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete.the.dog Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 I know it's not to find a cool spot - because it's winter - and it's not to find somewhere like a den - because he sleeps happily in his kennel all night. Your're right - he's most likely digging because it is FUN! When you go out he gets bored and lonely, and digging is both good fun and stress relief for him. You need to find something else for him to do (which may be easier said than done ) Instead of just giving him toys to play with, you could try a game of hide and seek - put toys or food in various places around the yard, and try and put some where he has to put a bit of effort into retrieving them. You might have to start simple and show him the toys/food at first while he learns, and make things more difficult as you go along. It is also possible that he is frustrated and upset when you go out and he is left alone. Try to make sure there is not a huge contrast in his life between when you are home and when you are not - for example if when you are home he is inside and there is a lot of interaction between you and he gets a huge amount of attention, it would be a huge shock to be left outside alone and he may be digging to deal with the stress. Make sure that when you come and go there are no big hello/goodbye scenes, and that you keep everything as low-key as possible. Also try to make sure you do some training each day, even if it is just a few minutes here and there of sit or something - this will actually help increase his confidence. If he really enjoys digging, it might be best to try to provide him somewhere he allowed to dig, and encouraging him to dig there. If he digs at all when you are home you can take him to that spot every time he starts to dig and he should learn quickly that it is the right spot for digging. If he only digs when you are away, you will need to try making it the most attractive spot to dig. You should try burying treats in that spot so he is rewarded when he digs them up. Try to block off the other areas he likes to dig in, perhaps putting bricks on the ground or covering with wire. Just don't try to block off ALL the digging spots, or getting past the barriers to dig will just become his new sport - you just want to make your selected digging spot the most attractive spot for him to dig in. I fill his holes with poo and he digs new ones - I put chilly powder on the holes and he digs new ones - I have even stood there looking like an absolute fool yelling at the holes and hitting them with newspaper.. This is a good way to teach him to never dig in the same spot twice!! These sorts of methods only work to move a dog away from a particular area, not to stop digging altogether. The more you do this, the more widespread the destruction will be. I'm pretty sure he knows its wrong and he never digs when I'm around. No, he's just not bored or frustrated when you are around! If you have got upset when seeing him digging in the past he may also have learnt that you don't like watching him dig, which means to him he should do it when you are not watching. This doesn't mean he knows it is "wrong". If he did, he wouldn't do it, regardless of whether you are there or not. Also, in regard to "wearing him out" - even though he has an injured leg you can give him lots of stimulation when you are home - mental exercise is just as important as physical. Try practicing commands etc. or playing games like hide and seek to give him some mental stimulation. If none of these things help, you should probably consult a professional trainer - often more specific details (like where and when the digging FIRST occurred etc.) can be necessary to determine the exact cause of the behavior & deal with it. Thanks for your advice, I think in my business I have been a bit slack on his training lately and perhaps that is why he has reverted back to the holes! I do try to put him outside for time when I'm home so he gets used to it a bit more but lately with the rain I've been soft on him Thank you and hopefully if I get my act together as an owner it will sort itself out :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete.the.dog Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 Holes in the middle of the grass? I wouldn't know what that's like... Once I resigned myself to the fact that our yard will need completely new turf one day, and that I was doing everything I could to ensure my dog was happy and healthy, it became much less stressful. He likes digging holes - oh well. Giving him a sandpit and hiding things there DID help and he now only digs occasionally. We also worked out that he digs if he's been given a bone in the yard the night before, must be because the smell sticks around. Also, he might just need some more adjustment time - our boy was still "settling in" for at least 6 months, if not more. Thank you, yes its easy to forget he's only been with me for four months, especially because he has improved in leaps and bounds (so to speak) on so many things since I got him - the bones might be a good point as well, didn't think of that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 A side note. Some dogs seem to love to dig. Don't let anyone talk you into getting a second dog to keep the first dog from digging. I run a boarding kennel in which we allow dogs to socialise. The dirt REALLY flies when you get a whole pack of dogs digging. You give them kongs/balls/rope toys etc. They drop the toy in the hole and dig all around it. I don't have a good solution for the problem. With my own dogs, I can train them to dig in one or two permitted places and not to dig elsewhere. But with the kennel dogs, I'm just resigned to them making messes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 Ahhh I feel your pain. I have a golden retreiver who digs like she is possessed, I had to have 4 grand of concrete laid in the end as she was digging up and breaking my water pipes. She also dug down to, and broke, my sewerage pipe - but lets not go there as words cannot convey the filth .. *shudder*. I wish you luck! My advice would be buy an enclosed run, lay large concrete pavers. Sure the grass under the pavers will die off but it will grow back when pavers are removed. Better a dead patch of lawn than a destroyed yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete.the.dog Posted June 26, 2009 Author Share Posted June 26, 2009 Ahhh I feel your pain. I have a golden retreiver who digs like she is possessed, I had to have 4 grand of concrete laid in the end as she was digging up and breaking my water pipes. She also dug down to, and broke, my sewerage pipe - but lets not go there as words cannot convey the filth .. *shudder*.I wish you luck! My advice would be buy an enclosed run, lay large concrete pavers. Sure the grass under the pavers will die off but it will grow back when pavers are removed. Better a dead patch of lawn than a destroyed yard. Oh my god that is scary on so many levels. Firstly, I don't have 4 grand. Secondly, it's rental and the thought of destroyed pipes is terrifying!! Thirdly, Sewerage!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) can i share in the pain too? I have a foster girl who is a manic digger - that hole that wuffles posted a pic of is about 1/20th the size of Summer's main excavation in my back yard I really think with Summer it is just that I haven't got enough time to give her the exercise and stimulation that she needs, which is why I don't usually foster working breeds *sigh* Edited June 26, 2009 by Daisy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) LOL ive found Karma well BELOW ground level.. thats her entire body when shes standing below ground level, the hole has been so deep, on more than one occasion. I was always afraid it would cave in on her and suffoate her. Its hard to describe the size of some of thdese 'holes, they were more like mini-excavations! She dug continunally, no matter how much stimulation/exercise she had. Some dogs dig dig dig no matter what you do. ETA I tried laying wire and having compacted roadbase put on top - she got thru that in no time. She simply has to be kept on a concreted/paved surface. Edited June 26, 2009 by indigirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemappelle Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 On the bright side, my cattle dog grew out of the hole digging when he got to about 12 months. On the down side, I have an ancient poodle x that still digs massive holes every day Luckily she loves the spot in the garden behind the barbecue where it can't be seen (and nothing ever grew) so not really a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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