Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is the love of digging. From burying bones to making cool dens for shelter, dogs in yards will inevitably turn to this favorite past time.
Digging can not only ruin your yard, but it can ruin your relationship with your pet. Can you stop this behavior before it gets out of control?
The first step in stopping your dog from digging is to determine why he is doing it in the first place. Some dogs just love it.
However, there may be other reasons including lack of attention or stimulation, storing food, or he’s building a den to cool off or stay warm. Alternately, he may be attracted to freshly turned earth or the scent of fertilizer.
Knowing the reason behind the digging can help you stop the behavior. For instance, if it is due to boredom or lack of attention, you can start to offer your dog more play time with you. Dog obedience training can go a long way in preventing the behaviour.
If this doesn’t help, you can give one of the following techniques a try:
1. Find the spots your dog usually digs and bury a balloon that has been inflated. If your dog digs, he’ll pop the balloon. This unpleasant reaction to his digging can deter him from continuing.
2. When you refill the holes, add in some of your dog’s own feces. The next time he digs there, he will be repelled by it. This may not be a fun way for you to teach your dog, but it is effective and humane.
3. Try burying some chicken wire just below the surface where your dog likes to dig. When your dog pits the wire with his paws, he’ll hate the sensation and stop digging.
4. Spray him with a hose. Dogs hate being sprayed, especially in the face. Make sure if you do this that you have caught him in the act of digging or he won’t know why you’re spraying him.
Digging is natural, but it doesn’t have to ruin your yard. Figure out why your dog is engaging in this behavior and take a little time to work on it with him. You’ll both be much happier. Not unlike puppy training, negative habits can be corrected with a little conditioning.
Clicker Training for Great Dog Behavior
You want to teach your dog acceptable behavior in a gentle, humane way. Many people have found success with the clicker method.
Operant conditioning is the repetition of a behavior when a reward is given. This is the premise behind clicker training. How does it work?
A clicker is a small plastic box with a metal strip. When you push and release the metal strip, it makes a sharp clicking sound.
When you first start click training, you pair the click with a reward, such as a dog biscuit. When the dog performs a command well, you click immediately and offer the treat.
This teaches your dog to connect the behavior with the click. Since the click is associated with the treat, he’ll be more apt to perform the good behavior. Eventually, you can phase out the treat, and he will respond to the click. After successful training, you won’t need the clicker either.
Clicking is immediate. Dogs need to know exactly what they are being praised for, and the clicking sound helps let them know. This is why the clicker method is so effective for training.
Trying the clicker method can lead to more effective, quicker training. It works with your dog’s natural urge to please you and earn a reward.
Be conversant with your pet’s behaviour issues and needs, learn more about dog obedience training tips.
Posted under Dog Articles, Dog Tips, Dogs General
This post was written by admin on November 24, 2008
