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Dog’s Digging a Dirty Problem
That ‘s a great question. It is one that veterinarians are asked many times through their career. First, let’s look at why dogs dig. There are a few good reasons. Our dogs early ancestors learnt the art of digging from an
early age. They learn that burying food for later retrieval, kept it safe from
other predators. They learnt that digging dens can help keep cool in hot weather
and warm in cold weather. The also learnt to dig out prey that lived
underground. So it should be no surprise to find that our domestic friends still
have a significant digging instinct. Dog digging is a natural canine activity
for which they can find highly enjoyable and therapeutic. Some dogs are digging for things they hear, such as moles. Some are seeking the coolness of the earth. Others have figured out that it will get you to come out of the house and pay attention to them, even though the response is yelling! For some dogs, being yelled at is just a game and they know how to engage you. Lastly, there are dogs that just like to dig.
One of the neatest techniques to stop digging is to provide a place for your dog to dig and encourage him to dig there. That may sound strange at first, but it works well. Use one of his holes or dig one in a place that is acceptable to you. Bury a big bone about 6-8 inches under the hole and encourage your dog to explore it. When he starts digging, praise him. Keep burying the bone and praising the digging behavior in that hole. When your dog digs elsewhere, bring him over to the hole with the reward buried in it and start the process over again. This process seems tedious, but has worked for many of my clients. Be patient, and expect to continually reinforce the training with new buried rewards. Good luck!! |
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© Copyright 2008 North Windham Animal Hospital |
Dear
Dr. Friedland: My dog digs holes in my back yard. Why is she doing that and how
can I stop it? 
If
moles are the trigger, speak to your garden center about the different
techniques of getting rid of them. Be sure to provide your dog with a nice
shady cool spot to rest in. 
