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She Keeps Digging To China!


cassvanm
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Hi guys

I have a lovely 6mth old Golden named Scout. She's beautiful, and has lovely manners etc. We go to obedience, she's well socialised, and apart from the occassional excitement, she's great with the kids.

BUT... she keeps digging the most enormous holes in the back yard! :confused:

We've refilled them with her poo, we've filled them with rocks and stones, but it doesn't stop her, she just goes to another place to dig another, more impressive, crater. How do I get her to stop? I can't be with her all the time, I have three kids and work, so it's not realistic to watch/entertain her every moment of the day. She has more toys than the kids, which I cycle through. She's not at all interested in kongs etc, she just licks them then gets bored :)

I don't want to hear how much of a sucky dog-owner I am, I am just after some ideas on how to get her to stop this behaviour. My main concern is when she does zoomies, she runs in them, and I am worried she's going to break a leg ;)

Any advice would be helpful

Thanks in advance

Cassie

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Hi - What exercise does she get each day ?How long are her daily training sessions, and walks?

If she is tired mentally and physically she will be less inclined to amuse herself by digging.

You can also try giving her her own digging area- a clearly marked spot in the yard- (a spot you know she likes)maybe get a trailer full of extra sand and dump there. Bury a few toys/treats in there to keep her interested.

OR a kids clam shell sand pit, or wading pool, filled with sand . Lots of rewards for digging in the right spot. :)

Re: Kongs- what are you filling them with?

I use whole chicken wings/peanut butter/cheese, vegemite/yoghurt.. combinations...or a mix of chicken stock, with some treats in, and freeze in the kong (plug the holes with cream cheese or something)

A well filled kong with hard-to- get-out goodies will keep them busy for quite some time :confused:

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My 2 present dogs are the biggest diggers we've ever had. It's like walking through a mine field. Have to be careful of every step especially now as the grass is growing in with the warmer weather. They both got better as they aged & only dig now after rain. Try feeding her her kibble b4 work by scattering around the yard. She will take time to eat it all & then investigate in case she's missed some. By this time she's ready for a sleep.

As mentioned the favourite method of stopping this is to give them their own digging pit. Another method, which with your little ones could be dangerous if they enjoy running around the yard, is to put chicken wire over the lawn where she digs. Some have said they stop digging & you take it up & others have said to leave it there for the grass to grow through.

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With the recent heat we've had in Melbourne, it wouldn't surprise me if she is digging holes and lying in them to keep cool. Many dogs do this (mine do) as the earth underneath can be quite cool.

If she isn't lying in the holes and is just digging them due to boredom, then the problem is not your dog, but rather the exercise and stimulation level you are providing. The designated digging area is a good idea...if she is doing this due to boredom.

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Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I'll be investing in a bit of dirt for the half clam shell that's not being used as her pool. She gets walked daily afternoon. I can't do mornings, as my hubby starts work at 4.45am, so I can't get the kids up too early (or they wouldn't be up to school) and I obviously can't leave them alone (way too young).

I was doing more exercise, but was told by the vet to limit it, as her legs are splaying a bit - vet wants us to minimise exercise due to this for a while. I have tried the kong, but as I said (probably not clearly), if she can't lick it straight out, she gives up :) I might try the whole chicken wing though - haven't tried that.

Someone said to me that you have to train dogs to use their kongs - is that right? Any suggestions re: that would be helpful

Thanks again - I'm stoked that it was all positive :)

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I feel your pain! My golden Karma has a digging fetish as well. I wont scare you by telling you how she has dug up the water pipes, dug up the irrigation system etc lol. I tried laying chicken wire with compacted road base on top - barely slowed her down. She had a big sandpit lots of toys etc, she just loved to dig.

My solution was laying 4 grand worth of concrete. She can now no longer dig in the dog yard. I still have to keep an eye on her whenever she isnt in the dog yard - she dug a big hole in the lawn last night when I took my eyes off her for a min. Karma is now 4 yrs old I dont think she will ever outgrow her love of digging.

I wish you luck :)

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Archie has a pile of sand he digs in, it's just sand left over from renovating our house and he loves it, he buries his bones in it.

Archie also has a Canine Genius toy, he prefers it over his Kong. I put liver treats, liver cookies... whatevers going in there and he loves it...

You can put a blown up balloon in the hole and when she digs it's meant to pop and scare her... don't know if it works, but I've had vets recommend it over the years....

I also get Archie GIANT bones (they're the size of my thigh bone!) they weigh about 2kg, one lasts him a week, he is constantly chewing it and carrying it around. It's too big for him to bury, so he doesn't even try!!!

Edited by ~Archie~
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Our two love to dig - and bury their bones. A combination of dogs and drought saw us loose every blade of grass in the backyard last summer. So over winter we laid down kakiyou grass, covered it in chicken wire and pegged it in, and grew over the top. The grass is needed, because it grows really quicky and has an invasive root system, so it also holds down the wire. Its also the only type of grass that puts up with the constant mowing that my two lappies give it...! Anyway has worked a treat!

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