Stopping digging without "correction"

BR870 · 12-14-2011, 05:14 PM

So Ezra has decided he loves to dig. He is never outside without my supervision, and I try redirection with toys or food. This works some of the time, but quite often he will not redirect. He is extremely tenacious.

Now I am not wanting to correct him since I am raising him to be a sport dog, and I want him to stay confident and alittle on the crazy side as a puppy. However, digging is not a habit I want him to get into.

His breeder said try to occupy his digging space and try to push him off the hole using personal space without looking him in the eye and confronting or correcting. Well that lead to him crying and nipping at me in protest. Fine for now and worked, but won't be fine when he's 90lbs...

So thoughts? How do I get him to stop without telling him "No"?

jang · 12-14-2011, 05:15 PM

Put some of his own poop in the whole--Worked for mine..
Jan

mysweetkaos · 12-14-2011, 05:16 PM

When K was a pup and now again with S.....I went out found the areas they liked to dig. Buried some of their poo back in the spot....and just stayed on top of it. Worked for us with 2 dogs....good luck!

Lilie · 12-14-2011, 05:29 PM

Does he like squeaky toys? Can you save the highest value squeaky toy for just when you need to redirect? Then you can try to catch him before he actually starts to dig (when he starts searching for a spot) and use the squeaker. Then redirect that squeaky for another toy and play so that he doesn't lose interest with the squeaker.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 12-14-2011, 06:10 PM

I like the squeaky toy idea. Plus then playing with him WITH the squeaky toy. Digging is fun, so unless you replace it with something more fun, then he'll continue.

You can also work on training an alternate behavior. So working on the 'leave it' command when he goes nose down and ready to dig in.... So you can reward him when he 'leaves it' (once you train him) rather than punishing him when he does not.

Clicker training is perfect for this. Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!)

Jax08 · 12-14-2011, 06:28 PM

Jax got one chance to stop before I went and got her. I removed her from the situation and eventually she outgrew it. I would go get him, and once he is away from the hole he was digging, give him the toy.

BR870 · 12-14-2011, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

I like the squeaky toy idea. Plus then playing with him WITH the squeaky toy. Digging is fun, so unless you replace it with something more fun, then he'll continue.

You can also work on training an alternate behavior. So working on the 'leave it' command when he goes nose down and ready to dig in.... So you can reward him when he 'leaves it' (once you train him) rather than punishing him when he does not.

Clicker training is perfect for this. Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!)

Well I have been rewarding if he stops, but often he will come over get the reward then head right back over.

Squeaky toys, tugs, all work occasionally. But he is tenacious...

Freestep · 12-14-2011, 08:43 PM

I'm in the "bury his poop in the hole" camp. It has always worked for me!

12-14-2011, 05:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
BR870 Master Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 828	Stopping digging without "correction" So Ezra has decided he loves to dig. He is never outside without my supervision, and I try redirection with toys or food. This works some of the time, but quite often he will not redirect. He is extremely tenacious. Now I am not wanting to correct him since I am raising him to be a sport dog, and I want him to stay confident and alittle on the crazy side as a puppy. However, digging is not a habit I want him to get into. His breeder said try to occupy his digging space and try to push him off the hole using personal space without looking him in the eye and confronting or correcting. Well that lead to him crying and nipping at me in protest. Fine for now and worked, but won't be fine when he's 90lbs... So thoughts? How do I get him to stop without telling him "No"? __________________ Rob Ezra von der Rennbahn Princess Abigail "Abbie" Kai (RIP) Loki (RIP)

12-14-2011, 05:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
jang Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: titusville, fl Posts: 363	Put some of his own poop in the whole--Worked for mine.. Jan __________________ Sibi- Zoe

12-14-2011, 05:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lilie Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: South Texas Posts: 6,290	Does he like squeaky toys? Can you save the highest value squeaky toy for just when you need to redirect? Then you can try to catch him before he actually starts to dig (when he starts searching for a spot) and use the squeaker. Then redirect that squeaky for another toy and play so that he doesn't lose interest with the squeaker. __________________ Hondo Von Dopplet L Bauernhof "Hondo"- GSD Lilie's Tug McGraw "Tug" - Golden Retriever Maggie - Mini Dachshund (Rescue) Lonestar - Texas Blue Lacy Funyon, Ashe, Soot - Barn Cats Scooter /1/2 Arabian, Shadow, Katie / APHA

12-14-2011, 06:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,215	I like the squeaky toy idea. Plus then playing with him WITH the squeaky toy. Digging is fun, so unless you replace it with something more fun, then he'll continue. You can also work on training an alternate behavior. So working on the 'leave it' command when he goes nose down and ready to dig in.... So you can reward him when he 'leaves it' (once you train him) rather than punishing him when he does not. Clicker training is perfect for this. Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!) __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

12-14-2011, 08:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
Freestep Knighted Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,092	I'm in the "bury his poop in the hole" camp. It has always worked for me! __________________ Luka von Sontausen, CD Vinca von Sontausen, CGC Freestep's Beluga Whale, BWD

12-14-2011, 05:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
mysweetkaos Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: St Louis, MO Posts: 1,246	When K was a pup and now again with S.....I went out found the areas they liked to dig. Buried some of their poo back in the spot....and just stayed on top of it. Worked for us with 2 dogs....good luck!

12-14-2011, 06:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	Jax got one chance to stop before I went and got her. I removed her from the situation and eventually she outgrew it. I would go get him, and once he is away from the hole he was digging, give him the toy.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement