Pick a place for your dog to dig and bury a doggy treasure for them. One or two bones or stuffed-chewtoys and they will quickly learn where to dig for the good stuff.
Digging is a very natural activity for a dog. Digging was very useful for dogs out in the wild, and makes for great recreation when a dog is confined or bored. Of course we don’t want our dogs to dig up our gardens, but punishing them is only going to train them to dig when you’re not there.
Every time your dog performs an unacceptable behavior, it self-reinforces a bad habit. The use of confinement training in puppyhood is going to result in greater freedom for the rest of their life. Confinement allows you to supervise them anyime they’re free, and redirect bad behaviors into good ones.
If your dog’s behavior is not improving, your punishment isn’t working. An effective reprimand must clearly communicate that they are behaving poorly. You certainly don’t need to hurt the dog, a harsh tone or loud voice should be enough.
Dogs dig to bury bones, and later to dig them up again. Dogs dig cooling hollows in the summer, and warming pits in the winter. Dogs dig after eavesdropping on private ultrasonic conversations of subterranean critters. Bitches dig dens when they are pregnant. Dogs dig out of boredom, and dogs dig to escape. But by and large, most dogs dig for the sheer fun of it.
Behavior Blueprints are available as pdf files that you can download and customize with your company’s information for use as a promotional tool. To download, simply click on the file name in the Attachment section below.
