Neighbors Dog is Digging Into My Yard!

[Marie2020]

I agree- the neighbors got him after I got my dog because, “after seeing you with your dog, my husband wants one” (these words literally came out of the wife’s mouth). They have never owned a dog before and had no idea what they were getting into- they want a beautiful, large, well- behaved dog without putting anything into him. He’s been my buddy and my dog loves playing with him through the fence, which has made this situation more difficult. I adore the dog, but am not a fan of the owners. It’s really not his fault- he’s left in the yard all day without stimulation, hasn’t been trained, and digging and watching the chickens is how he’s learned to entertain himself.

It goes on and on, I wish these people would wake up and see the pain they are causing.

 

[MgnRose]

It goes on and on, I wish these people would wake up and see the pain they are causing.

Me too

 

[Arielle2]

Most folks dont know how to train a dog. I worked with a great trainer for my first rottie and my second and third. But rotties are not diggers....just lumps that lay around UNTIL they perceived a tresspasser ie. plane waaay overhead or delivery truck. Though I swear the barking at delivery truck was a greating of joy because the UPS driver tossed them biscuits! (dogs behind 6ft picket).

Imho, time to grab dog the next time and call animal control. Perhaps ask animal control to suggest to neighbor to install electic fence on their side to stop the digging under.

That worked to keep my pointers in, as they are diggers and climbers.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

An enclosed run is necessary for an unsupervised dog with those kind of habits but unfortunately not everyone is responsible. We have a neighbor down the street with 2 German shepherds, known to kill the cats and they escape their backyard ALL THE TIME, and neighbors have said they're aggressive and territorial. We have tried talking to them, thinking maybe they don't know their fence is broken but they don't answer the door. From talking to neighbors, supposedly when the guy moved in he had said casually once that he let his dogs out sometimes. But I do not know.

I have 2 huskies and I had to block their run from all the plants within their reach with rocks (some burried) and fences/gates. They have a high prey drive so I keep them pretty secure.

My mom has 2 labs and as puppies they were notorious for digging, far worse than my huskies. She buried all sorts of broken bricks, clay pots, and their poop deep in areas they would dig and it stopped them from digging completely.

Maybe buried stuff may be an option just to protect the dog from getting to your side.
I have seen people who put chicken wire underground as well.

After reading about the "marking your territory" idea, I'm curious if that really works!?!

 

[MgnRose]

An enclosed run is necessary for an unsupervised dog with those kind of habits but unfortunately not everyone is responsible. We have a neighbor down the street with 2 German shepherds, known to kill the cats and they escape their backyard ALL THE TIME, and neighbors have said they're aggressive and territorial. We have tried talking to them, thinking maybe they don't know their fence is broken but they don't answer the door. From talking to neighbors, supposedly when the guy moved in he had said casually once that he let his dogs out sometimes. But I do not know.

I have 2 huskies and I had to block their run from all the plants within their reach with rocks (some burried) and fences/gates. They have a high prey drive so I keep them pretty secure.

My mom has 2 labs and as puppies they were notorious for digging, far worse than my huskies. She buried all sorts of broken bricks, clay pots, and their poop deep in areas they would dig and it stopped them from digging completely.

Maybe buried stuff may be an option just to protect the dog from getting to your side.
I have seen people who put chicken wire underground as well.

After reading about the "marking your territory" idea, I'm curious if that really works!?!

All great info, thank you. I can’t imagine having two prey driven/ untrained GSD’s roaming the neighborhood- scary!! I’m sorry you have to deal with that. As a GSD owner myself, I know they need a lot of training and structure to be safe, wonderful dogs. It’s so sad that people get them and don’t work with them to redirect their natural inclinations that are dangerous if not given a proper outlet.

Oh- and the marking definitely has been a deterrent This might be TMI, but we’ve been collecting my husbands urine and filling the holes with it (under cover of darkness, of course ) and the dog hasn’t been digging in his usual holes. He’ll come out, sniff the hole, make a funny face, and tromp off

 

[Marie2020]

Most folks dont know how to train a dog. I worked with a great trainer for my first rottie and my second and third. But rotties are not diggers....just lumps that lay around UNTIL they perceived a tresspasser ie. plane waaay overhead or delivery truck. Though I swear the barking at delivery truck was a greating of joy because the UPS driver tossed them biscuits! (dogs behind 6ft picket).

Imho, time to grab dog the next time and call animal control. Perhaps ask animal control to suggest to neighbor to install electic fence on their side to stop the digging under.

That worked to keep my pointers in, as they are diggers and climbers.

Plus animal control could suggest they should rehome him, if they don't want to walk love and care for him. At the very least that could make some form of entertainment for him in the back yard.

 

[Madhouse Pullet]

All great info, thank you. I can’t imagine having two prey driven/ untrained GSD’s roaming the neighborhood- scary!! I’m sorry you have to deal with that. As a GSD owner myself, I know they need a lot of training and structure to be safe, wonderful dogs. It’s so sad that people get them and don’t work with them to redirect their natural inclinations that are dangerous if not given a proper outlet.

Oh- and the marking definitely has been a deterrent This might be TMI, but we’ve been collecting my husbands urine and filling the holes with it (under cover of darkness, of course ) and the dog hasn’t been digging in his usual holes. He’ll come out, sniff the hole, make a funny face, and tromp off

Wow! As weird as it may be for us people, that's good to know though! In a dog world it probably makes total sense.

It is unfortunate about my neighbor (or any uncaring pet owner). His dogs are gorgeous. The female (more aggressive) is all white and the male is all black. Sometimes, I wonder (because it's common) if the owner was merely going for a "look" than the actual breed.

 

[MgnRose]

Wow! As weird as it may be for us people, that's good to know though! In a dog world it probably makes total sense.

It is unfortunate about my neighbor (or any uncaring pet owner). His dogs are gorgeous. The female (more aggressive) is all white and the male is all black. Sometimes, I wonder (because it's common) if the owner was merely going for a "look" than the actual breed.

Probably. I think this happens with guarding breeds. People want tough, beautiful dogs and don’t want to put the work into giving them what they need to thrive.

 

[Arielle2]

Imo, and I will be blunt, people dont know the value of training nor do they want the bother.


Takes about 6 monthes of twice daily ten minute sessions.

I had three trained rotties that sat on command and not budge until released. Told to "wait" as in wait your turn and not push pass to get thru door. Having well trained dogs was a God -send when dealing with young children . I could count on my dogs to follow command immediately whereas never quite sure with a child.

I often wonder about people as parents when they cannot manage a dog. Honestly, training my dogs was a great primer for training children.

(note: dogs had their own room, safely away from annoying small children.)

 

[Folly's place]

Dogs are so much easier than children!!!
Mary