How to Stop Dogs From Digging In Fresh Topsoil
Digging provides interactive entertainment for dogs left to play in the yard. Younger, more energetic dogs and terriers are especially prone to digging, but most dogs will dig in the absence of toys and playmates. Unhappy dogs may also dig under the fence in an attempt to escape the confines of a boring or uncomfortable yard. Offering alternate entertainment options and exercising your pet will prevent further damage to your soil and garden. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Exercise your dog by taking it on long daily walks. In the wild, dogs walk up to 10 miles a day in search of food and water. Running in a yard does not satisfy a dog's natural instinct for exploration and adventure. Walking in the woods or your neighborhood for an hour a day will satisfy your dog's need to explore and will burn off energy that would otherwise be used for digging in the yard.
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Play fetch with your dog as much as possible. Dogs crave attention from their owners, and may dig for this reason. A game of fetch will also tire your dog out.
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Train your dog for 10 minutes a day to teach discipline and exercise its mind.
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Set up an alternate digging spot for the dog to satisfy natural digging instincts without damaging your yard. Fill a child's sandbox with fresh topsoil, add some favorite toys and bury some bones. Rotate different toys in the sandbox every few days.
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Bury rocks and pieces of chicken wire in undesired digging spots, such as gardens, to discourage future digging in those areas. When your dog digs in an undesired spot, say a firm, "No dig!" and lead it to the designated digging spot.
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Add an insulated doghouse to the yard and always provide cool, fresh water. Place favorite toys around the yard and rotate them on a regular basis. This will keep your yard comfortable and interesting, and will prevent digging to find water or a cooler spot, plus eliminate the dog's need to escape.
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References
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