Whiskeys Mum Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 So, now that the where to sleep at night problem is solved ……. I need more opinions on another dilemma (Whiskey is only my second dog, my last was a dream pup no bad habits and my partner at the time loved to baby him as much as me, now I have a real doggy dog and a husband that is not such a softy, so I need a bit of help lol ) We have had Whiskey for 6 months now, and due to him destroying our whole yard … multiple times …. In the first month, I fenced off the end of our carport and turned it into his daytime enclosure. The end that I fenced is metal bars, so he can still see plenty of the outside world, but has shelter from the house on one side, 6 foot fence on the other, and garage door at the end. He has a large bed in there, and lots of toys and bones I have felt a bit mean shutting him in there every day since, but could not face the damage I was coming home to every day and grief I was getting from my husband for it. People I have asked say he would be fine in there as its not tiny or enclosed. I have asked both of our neighbours that are home during the day, and they haven't heard him cry or barking at all. I listen outside when I get home, and have only heard him a couple of times when I got home late and it was dark, and he was having a little whimper I was planning on keeping him in there until he grew up and calmed down a little, but considering he is only 1.5 years old, that seems so far away! Yesterday we had a big storm with hail, and even though he was completely dry in there I couldn’t help thinking he might have been scared by all the noise. Now I am thinking of possibly giving him another chance at being in the yard, but know that considering only 5 months have passed, he will probably behave the same and cause more carnage. Having him inside while we are at work is not an option, and I don’t want to crate him, that’s fine for other people but I still don’t like the thought of him being in a smaller space for 10 hours a day. I wish I could get him a friend but 2 dogs is not an option either. So …… is it mean to keep him in a garage sized run for that long 5 days a week? Should I give him another try with the run of the yard? Does anyone have tips that are not the normal things to try to stop him digging up the lawn and ripping all the plants out of the garden? And before it is suggested, yes he gets plenty of exercise, 2 walks or dog park visits a day, morning and night, and is by my side getting love or playing for the hour before work and 4 hours after that I am awake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 as long as he IS with you for as many hours of the day that you can fit it in - keeping him in a pen is a good way to know he is safe , your garden is safe , and you retain sanity , IMO. Rotate his toys , so he has 'new' things often - maybe buy him a treat dispenser ..or large ball from Aussiedog toys ..and consider a clam shell 'sand pit' ;) that way, you can bury things in it - he can dig and play in the sand :). remember to train him to be calm and settled indoors with you , and keep up the walks etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I suggest doing some more training with him rather than more playing and exercise. You just make a fitter dog rather than wearing him out. Brain stimulation can make for a very tired dog! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapua Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 IMO there is the need for physical stimulation - which you do by going for a walk and then the need for mental stimulation which is more challenging and combined with a walk helps to reinforce a positive relationship as well as satisfying some needs. Go for your walks - have fun but spontaneously throw in some sit, drop, stand, stay. Join a dog club and learn how to do it or get some lessons from a reputable trainer which is my preference. Be the leader with him and be consistent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) I have a dog who is a chronic digger. My solution as I don't want to concrete the entire yard is that in going to use long tent pegs to hammer down weldmesh on top of a (what's left of )my lawn. I plan to let the grass grow up thru the weld mesh and then mow high so the mesh doesn't interfere with the mower. Haven't dknt it yet but in plan to. I will need to add soil to make the yard as level as possible before hammering the weld mesh down. I will use weldmesh with small squares say 75 x 50 so she can't make any huge holes. I'll let you know how well it works. It's my last resort as ive tried everything else Edited July 23, 2014 by indigirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I would do some more mind stimulation training, puzzle games etc, but other than that the area is fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigirl Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) I should also add that some dogs are obsessed. With digging. It's not a 'normal' digging issues. My golden girl has dug up and broken the water pipes twice, she dug into the sewer line and smashed it open one time. It's a compulsion, it's way beyond anything that more training or exercise will fix. You have to see it to believe it. I've come home and found she's dug thru compacted road base and dog wire and was about 3 ft down and 5 ft along digging a tunnel. There was a real danger of the tunnel collapsing and suffocating her. Karma is almost 9 yrs old and still digs like she's possessed. I've spent literally thousands modifying my yard to keep her safe and minimise the damage she does. My sewer and water lines are now concreted over so god help me if I need plumbing work done lol. Karma spends 95% of her time indoors when at home but she misses laying in the sun, hence my idea with the weldmesh. Edited July 23, 2014 by indigirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I'd add a proper kennel and continue on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I have a dog who is a chronic digger. My solution as I don't want to concrete the entire yard is that in going to use long tent pegs to hammer down weldmesh on top of a (what's left of )my lawn. I plan to let the grass grow up thru the weld mesh and then mow high so the mesh doesn't interfere with the mower. Haven't dknt it yet but in plan to. I will need to add soil to make the yard as level as possible before hammering the weld mesh down. I will use weldmesh with small squares say 75 x 50 so she can't make any huge holes. I'll let you know how well it works. It's my last resort as ive tried everything else I used aviary mesh but it might not be strong enough for your girl. Bunnings has pkts of 50 fixture things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 (edited) So, now that the where to sleep at night problem is solved ……. I need more opinions on another dilemma (Whiskey is only my second dog, my last was a dream pup no bad habits and my partner at the time loved to baby him as much as me, now I have a real doggy dog and a husband that is not such a softy, so I need a bit of help lol ) We have had Whiskey for 6 months now, and due to him destroying our whole yard … multiple times …. In the first month, I fenced off the end of our carport and turned it into his daytime enclosure. The end that I fenced is metal bars, so he can still see plenty of the outside world, but has shelter from the house on one side, 6 foot fence on the other, and garage door at the end. He has a large bed in there, and lots of toys and bones I have felt a bit mean shutting him in there every day since, but could not face the damage I was coming home to every day and grief I was getting from my husband for it. People I have asked say he would be fine in there as its not tiny or enclosed. I have asked both of our neighbours that are home during the day, and they haven't heard him cry or barking at all. I listen outside when I get home, and have only heard him a couple of times when I got home late and it was dark, and he was having a little whimper I was planning on keeping him in there until he grew up and calmed down a little, but considering he is only 1.5 years old, that seems so far away! Yesterday we had a big storm with hail, and even though he was completely dry in there I couldn't help thinking he might have been scared by all the noise. Now I am thinking of possibly giving him another chance at being in the yard, but know that considering only 5 months have passed, he will probably behave the same and cause more carnage. Having him inside while we are at work is not an option, and I don't want to crate him, that's fine for other people but I still don't like the thought of him being in a smaller space for 10 hours a day. I wish I could get him a friend but 2 dogs is not an option either. So …… is it mean to keep him in a garage sized run for that long 5 days a week? Should I give him another try with the run of the yard? Does anyone have tips that are not the normal things to try to stop him digging up the lawn and ripping all the plants out of the garden? And before it is suggested, yes he gets plenty of exercise, 2 walks or dog park visits a day, morning and night, and is by my side getting love or playing for the hour before work and 4 hours after that I am awake. 'You' think it's plenty of exercise but your dog does not > the quality/type of exercise probably needs adjusting. Consider more stimulating interactions to drain the brain including training/trick training. Give heaps of enrichment when you're not there. Edited July 23, 2014 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 I have a dog who is a chronic digger. My solution as I don't want to concrete the entire yard is that in going to use long tent pegs to hammer down weldmesh on top of a (what's left of )my lawn. I plan to let the grass grow up thru the weld mesh and then mow high so the mesh doesn't interfere with the mower. Haven't dknt it yet but in plan to. I will need to add soil to make the yard as level as possible before hammering the weld mesh down. I will use weldmesh with small squares say 75 x 50 so she can't make any huge holes. I'll let you know how well it works. It's my last resort as ive tried everything else We used weldmesh around the base of our fence after the dogs dug out a couple of times. It worked a treat so I imagine it would work well on the lawn :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I use weldmesh at the kennels and for corner misshaps I tent peg down Bunnings compost panels, works a treat :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 'You' think it's plenty of exercise but your dog does not > the quality/type of exercise probably needs adjusting. Consider more stimulating interactions to drain the brain including training/trick training. Give heaps of enrichment when you're not there. I totally agree with you here sas. Whiskey's Mum, you need to look at tiring the brain out mentally not just physically. I've been there myself and I wish I knew about DOL back then so I could get advice. My own dog is so energetic that as a pup no amount of running around was wearing him out. What I didn't know is that by running him around ragged, all I succeeded in doing was increasing his stamina thus him needing three times more exercise. You need to start doing a lot of training and brain exercises -- make him think as he sounds like he'd be a smart boy. Trick training, food puzzles are all very good. I found using something like a Tupperware container with some food is a good one because very few dogs can work out how to open then no matter how hard they try. Just be sure to treat from the container so your dogs thinks opening it is possible -- otherwise he might get frustrated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeys Mum Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 well, that puts my mind at ease a lot knowing that those "in the know" of dogs do not think I being mean to my whiskey by having him in the run :) Have decided I'm going to take a half day off work next week, and give him another try in the yard, when he will only be alone for 5 hours, and if I don't come home to total destruction then I will try a full day. I do teach and practice tricks with him most days, and he is really smart at picking them up quickly, but I will certainly try and make an effort to do more of this to mentally exhaust him as well. I will research some ideas for tricks and stimulating games for him this weekend He does already have a king and a treat ball, both of which I fill for him every morning, but if he does have to go back in the run I will research some more puzzle toys that he wont destroy in 10 minutes. The Tupperware container is a great idea, I will try that out with him tonight! I have also signed up to a dog club obedience class that starts on Monday, so even though he already has all the class basics down pat, I am still hoping it will be some good brain training for him as well, plus a chance to socialise more Wowzers sounds like Karma has some serious digging skills! That's super impressive, but beyond stressful for you I bet! We have covered half our lawn (the half that whiskey destroyed)in plastic mesh stuck in place with u-nails, and this has worked a treat to stop him digging it up again, but as we need to lift it up and put it down every time we mow, its not really a super long term solution. I haven't tried high mowing over it but would be scared that one of the metal nails would come loose and end up in the lawn mower ... or my eye! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 If he likes pulling on ropes etc a "Home Alone" toy from Aussie dog products would work well. I believe if you give a dog heaps of physical exercise it doesn't tire them out mentally and you just make them fitter to do "naughty" things longer. Mental stimulation is the key :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeys Mum Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 If he likes pulling on ropes etc a "Home Alone" toy from Aussie dog products would work well. I believe if you give a dog heaps of physical exercise it doesn't tire them out mentally and you just make them fitter to do "naughty" things longer. Mental stimulation is the key :) Just looked up the aussie dog Bungy Ball, and that looks like something Whiskey would love, as he is crazy for playing tug! But at $120 I would want to know it was going to last a long time, as he is pretty good at destroying toys. Has anyone else used one of these with a big strong chewing dog? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 They are pretty tough, from memory tigers use them :) MAybe google how tough are Home alone toys you may find some randome things that way :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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