Training Tip Prevent Digging 

Training Tip: Prevent Digging 

As we are blessed with the warmer weather, our four-legged friends are spending more time outdoors.  With this being said, there is a possibility of digging.  Your dog may be digging for numerous reasons, but they are mainly trying to obtain something.  We are here to help you solve this problem and give you tips on how to address it!

Foremost, you should never allow your dog in the yard unsupervised.  This may be difficult if you normally give your dog a lot of free time in the yard, but these negative behaviors and habits cannot be broken if there is a lack of supervision.  Spend some time out in the yard with your dog.  If you notice that they are digging, you will need to address it immediately.  You can say key words such as “enough” or “no”.  If they continue the action of digging, say “time out” and go grab them.  Bring them inside the house for a little while to make them understand that the action was negative.  On the other hand, if they stop digging when you address it, say “thank you” and give them some praise.

If you must resort to a time out, it is best to be calm.  Do not get angry at your dog as it may give them the impression that you are mean. Keep in mind that digging is an instinct for a dog.  They receive mental and physical stimulation by digging.  If you want to keep it interesting, you could consider creating a “digging zone” in the yard. You can bury some treats or toys and encourage your dog to find them.  When they start to dig outside of this area, you will resort to the “time out”.