Do you have a new puppy or are you just sick and tired of old Rusty digging in the backyard? I know exactly how you feel no matter where you hook them up they just keep on digging. There are many reasons puppy dog's dig, some dogs were bread that way, some are just plain board. If you really want to stop puppy digging you have to find out why they do it first.
When it comes to certain types of hunting dog's this is purely instinctive and you will most likely have to tolerate some of that behavior. Some were bread to hunt small game that likes to burrow into the ground so it is only natural to do what they were made to do.
This doesn't mean you still can't change their behavior, it just may take some cleaver planning on your part and I will give you some of my favorite suggestions. Most puppies love to dig, it’s fun to play in and it feels nice and cool on their paws. Or if there is not much else for them to entertain themselves with, they dig.
One way of curbing this behavior is to make sure they have been getting plenty of attention. If your puppy or dog is left outside all day, while the kids are in school and the parents are away at work, your puppy will get a little lonely. Hire a professional if you can to walk them once throughout the day. Make sure you take them for walks too and play games with them they are just like children in their beginning stages of development; they love to play and are curious about everything.
Give them plenty of interesting things to play with and chew on, it will draw their attention away from those rose bushes mom just planted. There are so many cool toys that your new or seasoned pup will love and they are all fairly inexpensive.
Try building a dog house to keep your pup cool and shaded. He could be either looking for protection or some sort of comfort he is used to getting inside when he is with you. Make sure there are no other known animals roaming the neighborhood, if your pup feels threatened he may try to escape by digging under the fence or into your basement.
There are also some other know remedies to help curb your puppy dog’s insatiable appetite for dirt digging. Spread Chili powder on the ground, it will irritate your dog enough that he will learn to not spread the dust around. Another method I have tried is to dig a bunch of holes and burry balloons, once your dog or new puppy hear that pop they will be less likely to continue a behavior that startles them so much.
Mostly dogs dig because they have two front paws and sharp claws that are almost made for it. If your dog continues to dig we also recommend an obedience training class or stricter supervision while your dog is playing outside.
