JWW

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Apr 13, 2000
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Among other things my dog has started digging in the grass. I never catch her doing it so I cant punish her. Any ideas or tips on stopping this.

How about a link to a dog forum similar to DRN?

Thanks
Jeff
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
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My friend cured his dog from eating his garden hoses by hanging an entire hose around the dogs neck for a week. :) I guess you could hang a lawn mower around your dogs neck!!! Actually I think there's a web site called unclemattys.com or something like that, for all your dog troubles. You could take him with you when you go riding and tie him up the rear swing arm. he'd probably keep up for a mile or so. :)
Elk
Cat, the other white meat.
 

Lorin

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This worked on my mothers garder: She took black pepper and\or chilli powder and put it across the top of the dirt. Apparently, the pepper bothers the dog enought that he wont dig there anymore.
 

JWW

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Originally posted by Lorin
This worked on my mothers garder: She took black pepper and\or chilli powder and put it across the top of the dirt. Apparently, the pepper bothers the dog enought that he wont dig there anymore.

I thought about doing something like that. My only worry would be that she does her business out there also. I think I will put it out front . We have a neighborhood dog that likes to drop bombs on my yard.

Elk- you are a cruel man;) but funny...
 

kingriz1

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Aug 2, 2001
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Oh boy! 6 months huh? Just beat the hell out of her!


Haha! Just kidding.

Dogs are smarter than we give them credit for. Drag her over there and scold the hell out of her. Try to catch her doing it and really yell at her.

Also she might just be bored. You mentioned you are not home when she does this. I toss my rottie a softball to chew up. Cheaper than bones and last longer. Keeps him from chewing up the house and fence.

My other dog is so cool. He is a 10 YO chow who is so sweet. I am puppy sitting 2 white boxer pups, 10 weeks old right now. Man are they a handful.

Chilli pepper works good too in the area she is digging but not all over the yard.

The best thing to do is catch her while she is doing it.
 

Jaybird

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Folks, pepper...especially cayanne (sp) is very harmful to dogs. They can't take spices. Problem with using pepper is that the dog has to get a good snootful before he relalizes it's not a good thing.

Try spraying a circle of household ammonia around what you don't want the dog to dig. They can smell the ammonia prior to getting a nose full of it and they will stay away, garanteed.
 

thorman75

"Team Army"
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Dec 9, 1999
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ive been training dogs(bird dogs) for along time the best training instrument is a electronic collar.but it can be abused,buy a good one with a warning tone,follow the instructions exactly,believe me they learn real fast they dont have to be on the leash for YOU to still be in charge.if shes a hard head buy a tri tronics.if they dont listen its "come on baby light my fire".but after a few times getting knocked all you need is the tone.they hear that and they know if they dont stop whatever it is theyre doin what comes next.
 

JWW

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Thanks for the advice.

She didnt dig any new holes this weekend but she has taken up reading. We found a book and the remains of another book outside. We now have everything off the floor.
 

thorman75

"Team Army"
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Dec 9, 1999
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i had a german shorthair eat half a brick of firecrackers.then she tried to eat the steps of the wooden stairs leading into my basement.dogs you never know.
 

zilla

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Nov 4, 2001
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I bought a book on dog training, called "The Complete Idiot's Guide To Fun and Tricks With Your Dog". By Sarah Hodgson. ISBN 0-87605-083-6. Great book. It will show yoou how to train your dog to do or not do almost anything, including get a beer for ya out of the fridge! Really, great book.
 

ADS

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Nov 21, 2001
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Go easy on the dog Jeff. I guess I can't tell you anything about correcting his behavior. I still think about Miss Snowball every day. We had her for 13 years, since I was 8. I guess you could say I grew up with her. I cryed my eyes out.:(
Snowball 1988-September 11 2001
That made that whole day even worse for me.
 

a454elk

Mexicutioner
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Originally posted by ADS
Go easy on the dog Jeff. I guess I can't tell you anything about correcting his behavior. I still think about Miss Snowball every day. We had her for 13 years, since I was 8. I guess you could say I grew up with her. I cryed my eyes out.:(
Snowball 1988-September 11 2001
That made that whole day even worse for me.

Ouch! :(
 

KXaggerator

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Feb 4, 2001
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Jeff,
It might be worth your time to video tape your dogs actions to determine if it is manic behavior caused by separation anxiety, simple boredom, or it could be the dogs hunting instincts surfacing as it detects borrowing rodents and attempts to apprehend them. If the dog’s actions seem compulsive take care of it as soon as possible, as it can quickly get worse. I would be careful disciplining the dog if it is separation anxiety, as they can take up bad behavior knowing that if they dig long enough you will come home and give them attention, even if it is negative. Every time I dig he comes home, if I don’t dig he might not come home. It is scary how human like their thought processes can be. A second companion/mentor dog might be the answer. Two well-behaved dogs are easier to care for them one problematic dog. The December 2001 issue of Gun Dog has an interesting article on compulsive disorders in dogs.
 
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Boodac

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I like Elks idea about the mower, but you might as well teach her to mow the yard while shes lugging that thing around. I broke mine by filling the hole with water and sticking her nose in it once or twice. At first I want sure it was going to work, but after about three or four times that cured the problem. I know what your all thinking, "hes cruel" but the dog shrink said she was well adjusted and would have any last affects.
 

mgorman

Member
May 8, 2000
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My dog Moto would dig up the yard every now and then but it was for a mid afternoon snack of moles. Since I moved she only dug up one spot and that was to make a soft pit to lay in. She dug a ground hog hole out at a race track once so deep the the only thing sticking out was the last 6 inches of her tail. She is a wolf husky mix.
 

Treejumper

2 wheeled idiot
Damn Yankees
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Part Lab you say! Just get use to it for awhile. Everyone we have owned did this for the first year. Now they just drag home tree branches and chew them up. I dont know what was worse, the holes in the yard or the sticks laying everywhere. Either way it was rough on the lawnmower.
 

rollingp

Member
Oct 31, 2001
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Wow what a thread I just have to chuckle cuz my lab does some crazy things to. I cant keep him from craping in the front yard though.
He tries to help when we work on the track.
If he sees me picking up rocks he picks them up also and puts them in a pile.
They are so smart.
 

dix

Member
Nov 24, 2001
166
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Invest in a quality e-collar! Some of the top brands are Tri-Tronics and Innotek. Don't buy one of the colars that you find in the average pet store either. Most are junk, and don't have the adjustable stimulation modes. Hide behind a corner or stand in the house, when you catch the dog digging, or doing anything that needs correction, apply stimulation until the undesired act stops. It only takes a couple of times. Make sure if you use an e-collar though, that you start with the lowest setting possible and work your way up. Also, let the dog wear the collar for at least a couple of hours before use to help ensure the dog doesn't get collar-smart. Anymore questions, feel free to PM me or reach me by e-mail.
 
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