Preparing for Spring

As the weather warms and we get out to dig in the yard, plant our gardens, and spruce up our lawns, we will soon discover that the thawing tundra is also attractive to our dogs. Unfortunately our dogs are not landscape architects and they will dig holes in exactly the wrong spot. What are we to do?

Expecting a dog to stop digging is similar to asking it not to bark. Dogs dig for a variety of reasons; exercise, foraging, and because they can. Instead of trying to get our dogs to stop digging which is impractical, let’s talk about allowing them to dig in a designated area.

Getting started

It’s easier than you think. Choose an area of the yard that you can give to your dog. Section it off with railroad ties or other landscape material. You could even get a wading pool and fill it with sand. Then dig and loosen up the soil in your dog’s new sand box about 8-12 inches to loosen it up a little bit. Now, while your dog is not looking, bury a couple durable toys and a few biscuits in the area. Bring your dog out to the spot and encourage him to dig in this area by digging with him. Soon he will uncover a toy or a biscuit and will be encouraged to keep foraging for more prizes. It’s a virtual scavenger hunt for dogs!

Making the Transition

Now that your dog has a place to dig, you can train your dog that it’s okay to dig, but only in his sand box. If you catch him digging in the yard or garden, run out and quickly verbally tell him “No No No!” Then in a calm happy soothing voice head towards his sand box and encourage him to dig with you in his area. He will again uncover more treasures (which he never finds in the other areas of the yard). Now praise him for digging and foraging in his area and leave him at it.

Key Points to Remember
1) If we catch our dog digging in the wrong area and we scold him we must follow that with happily luring him to his digging area and praising him there when he starts digging.

2) If we come across the inappropriate hole long after he’s dug it and we didn’t catch him digging it, we can not scold him. Supervision is key in the beginning so that he can’t get away with inappropriate behavior.

3) We must follow any scolding with praise.

4) Do not grab your dog by his collar and drag him to his digging area. This action will only teach your dog to be afraid of the new digging area. Be joyous and happy as you are heading to the area and he will want to follow.

5) In order to keep him foraging in his area, we need to keep the area self rewarding by planting biscuits and toys there when he is not looking.

6) Remember this is now his area to do with what he pleases. He may dig, he may lay in it, he may roll around in it…it’s his. Let him have a place to be a dog!

Teri Thomas, Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Angels in the Making, LLC
(For more training advise or for answers to other dog questions please email Teri at k9angels@hotmail.com or call 970-263-8634 )