How do I stop my pup from digging…

[Vickibrit]

Athena is 7 months now and she learned how to dig from our 2 year old (he would hide his bones). Now both dig just to dig and they are digging into my neighbors yards. We fill the holes and they make new ones. Work is from 6am-6pm so I don’t see them until I get home. Someone suggested a shock fence, but I’m a sucker and don’t think I could do it. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Is anyone home during that 12 hour period?

Cause the #1 easy and immediate fix is to no longer let the dogs out in the yard unattended.

Digging is fun. Being alone in the yard is BORING. So any smart bored dog will dig.

Great help to really be able to up the miles of weekly exercise for both dogs. Plus any dog training classes.

[lrodptl]

Digging is a sure sign of frustration and boredom. With proper exercise they don't need to be left out in the yard unsupervised.

[Freestep]

To stop digging in one particular spot, put some poop in the hole and cover it lightly with dirt. This should discourage digging, but most dogs will just find another spot to dig if they really want to dig.

Dogs left alone in a yard all day are bound to get into mischief, but more exercise can help.

[Emoore]

Most dogs left outside unattended will dig. Bring them inside. Or get used to holes.

[Anthony8858]

Unlike all the theories mentioned above, there must be some kind of fun associated with digging, and not necessarily boredom.

I had Kira with three of her regular playmates. A 6 month Rottie, a 6 month pitbull, and a 1 yr Pitbull Terrier.

If I put them in a fenced area, they chase each other around the park, and each one will take turns digging a hole, and one the other two dogs will stick his snout in there looking for something.
I suspect that they smell worms. On two occasions, dogs came up with earthworm dangling from their mouths.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Anthony8858

Unlike all the theories mentioned above, there must be some kind of fun associated with digging, and not necessarily boredom.

I had Kira with three of her regular playmates. A 6 month Rottie, a 6 month pitbull, and a 1 yr Pitbull Terrier.

If I put them in a fenced area, they chase each other around the park, and each one will take turns digging a hole, and one the other two dogs will stick his snout in there looking for something.

Oh, we're not saying that digging' isn't fun. It's highly self-rewarding, that's why they do it. It's just that you were there to supervise and stop it if the behavior was undesired. If the dog is left out in the yard all day unsupervised, the dog will dig. Because he's bored and it's fun.

[Vickibrit]

Only sometimes is my BF home, he travels for days at a time. They are not stuck outside I have a doggie door so they can come and go as they please. The poop in the hole will not work, she likes eating her poop (then burping it in my face) lol. Thank you all for your suggestions I guess I will try to reinforce the fence.

[mwiacek10]

I put chicken wire over the hole then filled it with dirt. Gunny had a favorite digging spot, so this at least worked for a while.

[Vickibrit]

Thank you I will try the chicken wire.