eHow launches Android app: Get the best of eHow on the go.

How To

How to Stop a Dog From Digging Under the Fence

Contributor
By Ryn Gargulinski
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)
Dog done digging
Dog done digging
Photo of Sawyer by Ryn Gargulinski

You love your dog. You love your fence. But you hate when the former continuously digs under the latter. Training your dog not to do this takes time, but there are other quick-fix options out there. Follow these strategic steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Rocks
  • Barricades
  • Training collar
  • Electric containment system
  1. Step 1

    Install the fence deeper than you think you need. If you are putting up a new fence and expect to contain dogs in it, dig down at least one foot deeper than you normally would to install the fence and bury it from there. Remember this will take one foot of the height so plan accordingly.

  2. Step 2

    Barricade with rocks. If you already have a fence installed and see the dog won’t stop digging, get large, decorative rocks or cinder blocks and post them around the perimeter of the fence.

  3. Step 3

    Bury dog poop along the fence perimeter. Another method that stops dogs from digging, which works in a number of cases, is to bury dog poop in the area where the dog digs.

  4. Step 4

    Set up metal borders. If you are still having trouble, install a lower border fence, dug down at least a foot underground, on the inside of your exiting fence.

  5. Step 5

    Admonish and train the dog. This is the best option but not always the easiest. Nor can it usually be achieved overnight. Every time you see your dog digging beneath the fence, loudly tell him “No” and pull him away from the area. You can use a shock collar for quicker results or set up a dog digging area in the yard. Lead him to the dog digging area when he starts to dig beneath the fence so he learns that’s where he is supposed to dig.

Tips & Warnings
  • You can also install an electric fence, setting the borders inside your own fence. This is costly but it will keep your dog in a contained area--one he learns he’ll be shocked if he tries to venture beyond that area.
  • Shrubbery and cactus may also work to deter digging, but they have to get well established before the dog won’t be able to simply dig them up, too.
  • Professional dog trainers are usually worth the money. Ask around at the dog park or pet stores for recommendations.
  • Never use sharp objects as a barricade that could hurt the dog.
Who Can Help
Subscribe

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Related Ads

  • Have you done this? Click here to let us know.
I Did This
Tags
Get Free Pets Newsletters

Copyright © 1999-2010 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .   en-US Portions of this page are modifications based on work created and shared by Google and used according to terms described in the Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution License. † requires javascript

eHow Pets
eHow_eHow Pets