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 )
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Dog Birthday Pawty- Planner
3 weeks before the Pawty
1. Plan the doggie guest list - who and how many.
2. Decide on the location of the pawty - will it be at home (either indoors or outdoors) or in the local park.
3. Decide if you would like a pawty theme- Wild West, Mardi Gras, Beach/Hawiian, Paw Prints, the ideas are endless.
4. Buy Decorations and Invitations that correspond with your theme. Check out Partyland for these items or make your owm.
5. Decide on pawty games for your "doggie guests", to keep them amused or just have a large box full of doggie toys handy for your guests to help themselves.
6. Pick out the food for human and doggie guest. Don’t forget to order your doggie birthday cake.
Week before the pawty
1. Confirm the pawty guest list.
2. If you are not holding the pawty in your own backyard, make sure you have confirmed the pawty details, such as transport to and from, food supplies and games for your dog birthday party.
3. Shop and prepare the doggie treats and cake. Homemade treats and cookies will keep in airtight containers well past the pawty day.
4. Make up your Pawty Favor packs for your doggie guest to take home with them!
Pawty Day
1. Be sure to have a good supply of 'doggie-do-do' pick up bags, stashed in a handy location for your guests or a poop scoop.
2. Make sure everyone knows which food is for the doggies and which is for the dog owners!! You'll be amazed how similar the treats will look!
3. Make sure you have enough water and dog bowls, for your thirsty doggie partygoers.
4. Parties are lots of fun, but can be hectic at times! Allow for a guest "quiet zone" (2 or 4 legged) to escape to, if they need to get away from the crowd.
All things done and considered...it's time to pawty!!
Extras
Make sure you have your camera batteries well charged, so you can capture the day on film. This will be a memory you'll want to look back on and laugh about later!
The truly pampered pooch might have a professional photographer stop by for a while to take photos of the event. The photo's taken would make a lovely gift for doggie guests and their owners.
Better still, get everyone in on the act! If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, pick up enough one-time-use cameras so that each guest can have his or her own, and let your guests document the day themselves!
Maybe even make a movie of the day, you'll be sure to end up with a lot of great memories....... and a good excuse for another dog birthday party or get together in the park!
1. Plan the doggie guest list - who and how many.
2. Decide on the location of the pawty - will it be at home (either indoors or outdoors) or in the local park.
3. Decide if you would like a pawty theme- Wild West, Mardi Gras, Beach/Hawiian, Paw Prints, the ideas are endless.
4. Buy Decorations and Invitations that correspond with your theme. Check out Partyland for these items or make your owm.
5. Decide on pawty games for your "doggie guests", to keep them amused or just have a large box full of doggie toys handy for your guests to help themselves.
6. Pick out the food for human and doggie guest. Don’t forget to order your doggie birthday cake.
Week before the pawty
1. Confirm the pawty guest list.
2. If you are not holding the pawty in your own backyard, make sure you have confirmed the pawty details, such as transport to and from, food supplies and games for your dog birthday party.
3. Shop and prepare the doggie treats and cake. Homemade treats and cookies will keep in airtight containers well past the pawty day.
4. Make up your Pawty Favor packs for your doggie guest to take home with them!
Pawty Day
1. Be sure to have a good supply of 'doggie-do-do' pick up bags, stashed in a handy location for your guests or a poop scoop.
2. Make sure everyone knows which food is for the doggies and which is for the dog owners!! You'll be amazed how similar the treats will look!
3. Make sure you have enough water and dog bowls, for your thirsty doggie partygoers.
4. Parties are lots of fun, but can be hectic at times! Allow for a guest "quiet zone" (2 or 4 legged) to escape to, if they need to get away from the crowd.
All things done and considered...it's time to pawty!!
Extras
Make sure you have your camera batteries well charged, so you can capture the day on film. This will be a memory you'll want to look back on and laugh about later!
The truly pampered pooch might have a professional photographer stop by for a while to take photos of the event. The photo's taken would make a lovely gift for doggie guests and their owners.
Better still, get everyone in on the act! If you're looking for a less expensive alternative, pick up enough one-time-use cameras so that each guest can have his or her own, and let your guests document the day themselves!
Maybe even make a movie of the day, you'll be sure to end up with a lot of great memories....... and a good excuse for another dog birthday party or get together in the park!
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