How to Stop A Digging Puppy

Puppies are cute, but puppies digging in your garden aren't cute! Even though digging is normal puppy behavior, it can become a nuisance very quickly. Here are tips to stop dog digging.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• dog collar and leash
• chicken wire
• balloons
• hose and sprinkler
• chili powder
• watering can
• wading pool

1. Blow up a balloon and put it in a hole and bury it. Encourage your puppy to dig there. When he digs up the balloon, it'll pop in his face, which will hopefully discourage him from digging.

2. Mix chili powder with water in the watering can. Water your plants with this mixture. Dogs don't like the smell of chili powder, and he'll leave your plants alone.

3. Bury chicken wire a couple of inches under the ground where your puppy likes to dig. When he digs there, he won't be able to dig very deep. He probably won't like the way the chicken wire feels on his feet, either, which will discourage him from digging.

4. Many dogs like to dig holes to lie in as a way to cool off when it's hot. Provide your dog with a small wading pool to play in during the summer months. It'll keep him cool and give him something to do.

5. Give your puppy his own corner of the yard to dig in. When you catch him digging in the garden, clap your hands and say "no" loudly. Then redirect him to his own digging area, and praise him when he digs there.

6. Dogs often dig because they're bored and need something to do to use up their energy. Put on your dog's collar and get the leash and take him on a long walk every morning and again in the afternoon.

7. Set up the hose and sprinkler in your garden. When you catch your dog digging there, turn on the sprinkler. Make sure he doesn't know you did it. He'll think the garden did it to him, and he'll be less likely to dig there when you're not home.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a hose and sprinkler, use a water pistol to squirt your puppy when you catch him digging in the garden. Made sure you're hidden so he doesn't know you did it to him.
• Be consistent. This is the key to dog training. If you let him dig in the garden even once, it'll be very difficult to stop him from doing it.
• Everyone in the family needs to be on the same page. If one person lets him dig in the garden, and the other one doesn't, you won't solve the problem.
• Keep your puppy in the house when you're gone to avoid having him dig in the garden in your absence.
• Give your puppy toys to play with so that he has something to occupy himself with when you're gone.
• If you bury chicken wire, check it to be sure there aren't any loose ends that can cut your puppy's feet.
• Don't leave a small dog or puppy alone with a wading pool.
• Chew toys need to be large enough that your puppy can't swallow them or choke on them.

Resources

• Secrets to Dog Training

[lynsuz12]

on 4/26/2009 Been there. Great article on how to stop your dog from digging. Thanks. 5*