How to Get a Hound Dog to Stop Digging

Hound dogs can be very stubborn and determined. They will dig holes if bored, so keeping your hound dog from digging can be a challenge. It is not, however, an impossible task to stop a hound dog from digging.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Collar
• Lead
• Treats
• Toys
• Shovel
• Large rocks

1. Give your dog plenty of exercise. A dog that is well-stimulated will be much less likely to dig, so be sure the dog is allowed to burn off excess energy.

2. Place a collar and lead on your dog. It is much simpler to train a dog on lead than it is an unrestrained dog.

3. Walk the dog past each hole he has dug and give him a command for no digging. It can be as simple as “no dig,” as long as you use the same command every time.

4. Observe the dog. When he begins to dig, tell the dog “no dig” and offer him a toy to keep him busy instead. Praise him when he plays with the toy.

5. Place large rocks in any holes your dog has dug and fill them in with dirt. The rocks are an effective deterrent against re-digging as they make the holes nearly impossible to dig in.

6. Work with your hound dog frequently. Small, short training sessions are most effective, so work with her often for best results.

Tips & Warnings

• Always praise your dog for a job well done. Training new behaviors can be difficult but your dog will learn quickly with praise.
• Never physically punish your dog. Positive reinforcement works much better than physical punishment when training your hound dog.