How to Train Your Dog to Stop Digging Holes

Many dogs will naturally want to dig a hole. Most are bound by the inherent den instinct passed onto them by their wolf ancestors. However, a dog that digs up the backyard can really get on your last nerve. In order to break them of this habit you merely need to discipline them and catch them in the act, repeatedly.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Garden hose

1. Catch them in the act. This is the most important step. Try and sneak up on them as they are digging the hole so you can surprise them. Once you have, firmly scold the animal and lightly grab their scruff while doing so. Say “Bad dog, no digging,” and point at the hole. Say “This is a no, no! We don’t dig.” Even kick around some of the dirt back into to the hole so they know for sure you are referencing what they just did, and will associate that as bad.

2. Discipline them. While still maintaining a firm grasp on their scruff and collar, take the dog to their time-out. A small bathroom or a crate works perfectly as a time-out area. Let them stay in the time-out for 10 to 25 minutes, before letting them come out. When they do you can be loving and gentle with them so they know that they are no longer in trouble.

3. Fill in the hole and water down. While your dog is in time-out serving their sentence, you must fill and water the hole to prevent further digging or the encouragement of. Use your shovel and fill in the hole, patting the dirt firm on the top once you have. Then lightly spray the top with water, which will help the dirt solidify back to its original consistency.

4. Reinforce the no digging rule. Anytime you see your dog trying to dig or sniffing like they might, you must firmly remind them not to, “Don’t even think about digging there!”

5. Repeat process until success. Training a dog takes time and patience, and most importantly persistence. Only over time and through the proper applications of these methods will they begin to understand. Only then will you see success in training your dog not to dig.

Tips & Warnings

• Fill the holes up as soon as you can. An open hole is very tempting to a dog that is fond of digging in them.
• Never use extreme physical force to discipline your dog. They are very intelligent animals and are able to easily grasp what you are trying to teach them if you communicate with them effectively.

[cherokee74]

on 5/27/2008 Teaching a dog not to do something is pretty uniform. Use negative reinforcemnt, but NEVER hurt the animal.
However, I DO NOT agree with putting dog in crate for a time out. This is the exact OPPOSITE of what you should with a crate. NEVER use it as any form of disipline. It is supposed to be a positive area. Putting them in there because they've been naughty, or you are angry, or just not in the mood to deal with them makes it a very negative place. Eventually they will always see it as them doing something wrong no matter how nice you make it.

[dennisgo]

on 4/29/2008 i dont like your method