Question

[MIke A]

I have a black lab and boxer that are both just over 1 year old. My lab is obsessed with digging two holes in my front yard, which the dirt covered all the nearby grass and killed it. I have filled both holes numerous times by raking the dirt that was dug out back into the hole. Time consuming and tiedious. But with out doubt, every time I let them outside to go potty and turn my back for 1 second, he's there digging the hole back out. He doesn't seem to be responding to "No." the way he does with everything else. Any tips?

[pikehunter]

Fill the holes with his own p.oop, then cover them with dirt. He might resort to digging somewhere else, but it should stop him if his digging is constrained to just those two areas.

[YoMan]

I saw on a dog show, the one with the British chick use a sand box filled with some dog treats, to combat a dogs digging issues. Kind of gets the digging out of their system.

[lenny7]

Is he collar conditioned? If so, I'd try a light nick as soon as he started digging. If he only does when your back is turned, give the transmitter to someone inside the house who's looking out the window, or position yourself so you see his reflection in a window.

The problem with digging is that it's very self rewarding for the dog. You need to find a way to replace the reward with a correction, or else make that reward go away. An e-collar gives you a way to give a perfectly timed correction that he can definitely link to the digging action. If every time his paw makes the digging motion he gets a nick, the reward is no longer there.

[Leaddog]

Sibs dig like mad. Tossing their waste in the hole often works. After you cover it with dirt a spray of No Chew can discourage more digging. If you catch them in the act push their noses into the hole, get some dirt in their mouth and emphasize the NO command. If you have to re-enforce that, put dirt in their dog dish and don't feed them that night. The next day when they get food in the dish and not dirt they'll be happy.

Also, digging can be a separation thing or just boredom, either way, walking and playing may give them the activity they need.

Lastly, anytime you discipline a dog be sure to 'make up' with it in a reasonable amount of time. Dogs do harbor resentment that can build and manifest in many ways.

That all said, by two yrs old they'll probably grow out if it.

Good luck

[CatchPhotoFilet]

Id set a mouse trap or traps on the spot. After a few encounters the dog will learn.