ideas to stop digging dog

[BeardedChick]

Quote:
Since you asked...

Castration prevents frustration & aggression along with unwanted animals.

I don't like beak cutting.

Wing clipping - feathers grow back.

I don't like tail docking unless it needs to be done to prevent tail injury in working animals where it's warranted.

Earclipping - don't like.

If the dog is digging because it is frustrated and it's exercise/interaction needs are not met, then the first thing should be meeting those needs.

Preventing an unwanted behavior without addressing possible causes of frustration just means the dog will likely pick another annoying behavior as an outlet for that frustration.

 

[BarkerChickens]

Herding breeds (which I too raise) are notorious for being obsessive. See if you can direct his/her attention onto something more constructive each time. They are quick learners, so it works IF you have are able to catch him/her doing it most of the time. If he/she is digging at the same hole (or series of holes), put chicken wire in the hole and back fill partially (maybe with a few rocks). We had one dogs that would dig in the same 2-3 holes and if she couldn't digs in those, she would do something else. Also...clip her toenails...some dogs don't dig as much if they don't have nails to scrape (doesn't always work obviously...kinda dog dependent). Good luck!

 

[BeardedChick]

Quote:
I was thinking along the lines of providing something for it to herd & obsess over...

 

[Southern Gardener]

Quote:
Since you asked...

Castration prevents frustration & aggression along with unwanted animals.

I don't like beak cutting.

Wing clipping - feathers grow back.

I don't like tail docking unless it needs to be done to prevent tail injury in working animals where it's warranted.

Ear clipping - don't like.

If the dog is digging because it is frustrated and it's exercise/interaction needs are not met, then the first thing should be meeting those needs.

Preventing an unwanted behavior without addressing possible causes of frustration just means the dog will likely pick another annoying behavior as an outlet for that frustration.

Thanks Bearded!

Beak cutting, tail docking, ear clipping are totally UNNECESSARY IMHO and I would never have it done to my chickens or my dogs. And I have clipped my chicken wings - there is no pain and the feathers grow back.

Leaving a dog alone for hours on end is inviting bad behavior.

 

[lisahaschickens]

I'm jumping in late here and I'm not sure if this was already suggested but here goes...

Since he is barking at the holes, my guess is that he is chasing/hunting some sort of underground critter. My dogs do the same while hunting gophers and moles. Every once in a while, they get one too. If the dog is not burying anything and not specifically trying to get under a fence (which is a very different story), then I would guess it's hunting.

If he is specifically trying to get under the fence, then neutering would have helped when he was young... but now the urge to get out and wander to look for females is too strong and probably won't go away even if you do neuter him. BUT, I am all about neutering because there are way too many accidental puppies in the world... no need for more. Often, it also makes for a better-behaved, calmer dog. Certainly not always - unaltered males can be great - but those hormones can cause trouble, most certainly.

 

[NoSpringChick]

Dogs are a big commitment and need long daily walks. I also wear mine out by throwing a ball to tire her out; she always too tired to dig. Also, just because you let them out into a fenced area; you should be out there with them to keep an eye on them. You can try leashing the dog to let it out. You can also try a shock collar and train it not to dig by negative reinforcement.

 

[jvls1942]

I did not get into this thread to argue. I believe the question was ideas to stop digging. I gave mine and did not expect to end up defending myself..

I do not dock tails, ears,clip beaks,
etc.. I just listed these things for comparison.. and what is the reason for docking sheeps' tails??
are they prone to get hurt from working?

and 99% of dobermans with docked ears and tails never see the outdoors..

 

[mrsengeseth]

I like the sand box idea. It might take a while and some work with the dog, but, i bet it would work. In the mean time distractions might help get the dog's mind from the oles as they are refilled. New toys, new games, will he play tug of war or something similar? will he fetch? maybe incoroprate some of those activities into his day?

 

[BeardedChick]

Quote:
Since you asked another question, I'll answer as non-argumentatively as possible. Sheep docking could be avoided if the lambs' tails and hindquarters could be kept clean of feces and free from flies until marketing. Because most lambs are exposed to flies, that they must be docked. They have folds of flesh under their tail that hold fecal matter when the tail is left in tact. Docking is considered more humane than not docking for this reason.

(Have you seen undocked sheep?? They get into terrible condition.)

I prefer dobermans undocked. My aussie cross is naturally docked - she was born with a short tail.

 

[Southern Gardener]

Funny the OP has not been back to check out any responses. . .