Dogs have a lot of loveable natural qualities, but they also have some not-so-cute behaviors. Digging is one of the latter, but it can persist as they bury bones, create impromptu shelters, and just feel the dirt between their paws.
While it is a natural instinct in dogs, digging can be detrimental to your yard and to your dog’s discipline. How can you get your living breathing shovel to stop?
Why does your dog dig? Does he just like the action and feeling or is there another reason lurking underneath? Figuring out why your dog is engaging in this undesirable behavior is the first step in correcting it.
There are reasons why your dog may dig in your yard: he may need more exercise and stimulation. He may be hoarding food or trying to cool off or stay warm in the ground. He may be trying to investigate the smell of fertilizer or fresh dirt.
If you have determined that your dog needs more stimulation and is digging as a way of getting attention, you can attack the problem by offering him more opportunities for exercise and interaction. Dog training collars can be a great technique for solving the problem. For more beneficial solutions test sitstayfetch to aid your dog training efforts.
If the problem persists, try one of the following:
1. Bury inflated balloons in places where your dog likes to dig. One popped balloon can be a great deterrent.
2. Fill some of the holes your dog has made with his own feces. When he revisits the holes, he will be disgusted by this. It is enough to deter him from digging.
3. Chicken wire is another thing you can bury in your yard to deter your dog from digging. He’ll hate the feeling of his claws against the wire and will be prompted to stop.
4. If you catch your pet in the act of digging, spray him with a water bottle or hose. Dogs hate this (but it is not harmful). They’ll get the message. Do not, however, spray him if you don’t catch him actively engaging in digging. If you do, he won’t understand why he’s being punished.
You love your pet; you don’t have to love his bad habits too. If digging is a problem, take immediate steps to correct your dog’s behavior. He’ll be happy, and your yard will thank you. As with puppy training, education will take hold eventually and your dog will be able to correct negative behaviour. For greater results try puppy training biting to assist your dog training efforts.
Clicker Training for Great Dog Behavior
As people look for gentle ways to discipline and train their dogs, the use of clickers has become more prominent. Your dog will learn to repeat behavior that is desirable in a safe, humane way.
Operant conditioning is the repetition of a behavior when a reward is given. This is the premise behind clicker training. How does it work?
You hold a small plastic box in your hand. It has a metal strip which produces a clicking sound when pressed.
The key to clicker training is to teach your dog to associate the click with the reward, such as a biscuit. After your dog successfully performs a command, you click. Offer the treat at the same time.
This teaches your dog to connect the behavior with the click. Since the click is associated with the treat, he’ll be more apt to perform the good behavior. Eventually, you can phase out the treat, and he will respond to the click. After successful training, you won’t need the clicker either.
Clicking is immediate. Dogs need to know exactly what they are being praised for, and the clicking sound helps let them know. This is why the clicker method is so effective for training.
Your dog really wants to make you proud. Using the clicker method is a great way to teach your dog in an effective and humane manner. Check puppy potty training for sounder dog training.
