Help Jack is digging like crazy

[Becki's Boys]

Jack is digging in our backyard quite alot. I would really appreciate some advice of how to make him stop, or is there just no hope in stopping this. Thanks

[hoku's mum]

We have the same issue, so I hope there is hope!

[Becki's Boys]

I hope there is hope too. Maybe someday they'll just stop digging. I tried time out and put him in his room. That just made him mad and as soon as I let him back outside back to digging. He's really good about everything else, but boy is he an aggressive digger. I wish you lots of good luck too. I hope we can both stop this.

[Allie Oop]

Well, as a lot of the folks on this Board will attest -- BCs (particularly BC puppies) dig. They do it a lot. They do it when they're bored, excited and sometimes just for fun. As they mature, they generally do get better.

 

Allie was a BIG digger when we first got her at 6 mos. She has mellowed and at 18 mos. only digs once in a while. (She still especially loves to dig in sand on a beach by a lake, river, etc.)

 

We ended up giving her a little patch of really good dirt behind the garage where we encouraged her to dig by putting treats, toys, etc. That is "her" spot to dig. Her spot has an edging border around it. Anywhere else, she gets scolded. That had some success. Another thing that some folks have tried is burying the dog's own waste in the holes they are digging -- the theory being that they don't like to dig up the waste and will stop. We didn't have too much success with that, but I know that others have.

 

Try doing a search for "digging" you can probably get some get more tips. Good luck!

[Alicia]

My dog used to dig.. and I know people believe that they dont know what they did if the get in trouble for it later but... He was diggin alot, I would come home, take him to the hole. say "What is that?!" and make him sit there while I scolded him and filled the hole. Now.. granted.. this is my Lab/GSD/BC cross... but I would think that a BC would be smart enough to know this as well...

 

But.. no matter what anyone says.. He knew.. and he stopped after I did that a few times.

[Carlasl]

My trainer also advises the "place to dig" if you have a bad digger, If you find them digging you scold them and then take them to the designated digging area and praise for digging there. I think a lot of it is a puppy thing, a lot of dogs that dig as a youngester stop when they get older. She also said if digging is a problem then not to let them see you gardening, because they love to "help".

 

I have also heard of booby trapping a digging hole where you bury a hose with just the end sticking up in their favorite hole and then when they start digging you turn the hose on. But I guess that would only work if they have one hole they dig.

[Woodenlion]

Cocoa is a digger. When I first got her she destroyed my garden. She now has a hidey hole under the back porch that is for her alone. If she digs elsewhere in the yard I throw the dog waste into it. She leaves it alone. She digs when she is bored or left unattended.

 

Toni

[Sue R]

You might want to evaluate *why* Jack is digging. Do you put him out in the yard unsupervised? He may just be entertaining himself. Many Border Collies develop "bad habits" because they have nothing better to do and, when these becomed ingrained, they are hard to "break". They can include digging, fence running, barking, chasing shadows and birds, etc.

 

Many people feel they are doing their dogs a favor by allowing them "freedom" outside but what is best for the dog is time with you, engaged in a variety of activities that are physical and/or mental, and then also having some clearly defined "downtime".

 

If you are not in a position to correct your dog's undesireable behavior when it happens, you may want to consider some alternatives. One is crating/kenneling when you can't be supervising your dog. I was all against it when I got my dog but have found it to be very helpful both for my dogs (rest time, privacy, security, treat time, etc.) and for me (when I can't be watching them or need some time to be alone with what I'm doing).

 

Another approach is tethering your youngster to you so that he accompanies you as you work around the house or yard. He learns to be quiet when you are doing quiet work, stay out from under your feet when you are moving about, and to pay attention to you.

 

If you choose a "good digging spot" as an alternative, I expect that's fine. However, avoiding an undesireable behavior in the first place may be a better alternative. The longer he engages in behavior that you don't want or that is destructive, the harder it will be to eliminate that behavior. Some dogs will "grow out of" certain puppy behaviors but sometimes those behaviors can become such habits that they persist into adulthood.

 

Best wishes!

[Becki's Boys]

Thank you so much for all your advice. I'm going to try some of those things. I'll keep you posted on how they work with him.

[gneiss]

The reason your puppy is digging is most likely out of boredom and a lack of respect for you and your things. I would suggest first getting yourself a trainer. Since you have a border collie, I would suggest taking classes from someone who does competition training wether or not your interested in competition. Competition training is far more interesting than 'pet training'. Plus it sounds like your puppy is pretty independent.

 

If you can't afford a trainer, then I would first suggest teaching your dog to retrieve. Give your puppy an activity. Retrieving is a great way for you and your puppy to build a relationship.

 

Secondly, you shouldn't allow your puppy to be in the yard unsupervised. The puppy should only be in the backyard when you're there. NEVER LEAVE PUPPY UNATTENDED. When you notice the puppy beginning to dig, say 'leave it', when they stop give him/her a treat and then start playing with your puppy or give puppy a kong-filled with food/peanut butter.If you are going to leave, place your puppy in a crate. Dogs are quite comfortable in a crate for up to 8 hours.

 

Thirdly, I would place your puppy on a NO FREE LUNCH PROGRAM, meaning make your puppy work for everything. Before you feed your puppy breakfast or dinner, make the puppy 'lie down' and 'watch', once puppy has accomplished this then place the food bowl on the ground. Make your puppy "wait" at the door. Practice "downs", "sits", and "stays" throughout the day. Don't randomly pet your puppy. By randomly petting your puppy, you are giving him/her a reward for nothing. You don't want to be giving free rewards when you don't have the respect of your dog. You need to become the "pack leader" again. The last thing you need to do is probably the most important thing...and that's to start tethering the puppy to you. Get a leash and tie one end to you and the other to the puppy. Have the puppy tied to you when you are in the house. You should do this for 2 weeks. when your making dinner, watching tv, reading, vacuuming, whatever the puppy should be tied to you. I know this sounds very odd...but trust me this method has been more affective then anything else at gaining the respect of your puppy/dog and getting your "pack leader" status back.

 

Sorry this was so long...I hope it helps. It has helped me at rehabing dogs for years.

[Beth G]

Since I taught my two how to fetch they haven't dug in 7 mos!! They aren't outside to stay alone either though, which I have noticed can often start the digging habit in dogs, coz they get bored.

[Becki's Boys]

I'm going to start obedience classes with him soon, and then go on to agility from there. I've tried some of the things that you all mentioned tonight and they're working pretty good. I'll keep you posted.Thanks again.

[Becki's Boys]

The weirdest thing is is that he is never unsupervised outside. He doesn't dig at all during the day, it's just at night. He'll just start digging right in front of us at night, and he pulls the grass out to do it to create a hole. Then he runs off with the grass root and starts chewing on it. I think it feels good on his gums. I'm hoping that's all it is.

[JackoDog]

Jacko was/is a digger as well. He wouldn't dig out of boredom though, because he'd dig when we were trying to work on training or play.

 

I just made sure he was never outside unsupervised and he would get in trouble when he dug. He is getting a lot better and can now be outisde unsupervised for a while without digging

 

Keep plugging away and have some patience. Remember it won't happen overnight.

[Sue R]

The weirdest thing is is that he is never unsupervised outside.

Good for you! Sounds like maybe it's the grass and not the digging per se that is his interest. I have two that are great "grazers" and some pups just like to make "toys" and fun out of the weirdest things. Maybe at the end of the day, after dinner, etc., his gums are craving a bit of cool chewing. How about a cold toy to chew on, a frozen Kong or something similar? Suitable alternatives for chewing can be a soothing pleasure for Jack and a "life-saver" for things you don't want chewed!

 

Since you are seeing what he's doing when he's doing it, give him something else to occupy him when he begins the behavior, and use a verbal correction if he doesn't respond (followed by an appropriate physical correction if needed, which can be as gentle as taking him by the collar and removing him from the temptation).

 

Also, teach him a "leave it" command. The way I did this was to be in my kitchen and have a firm (kibble's fine) treat in my hand. I'd put a piece on the floor and when my pup would approach it, say "leave it" and put my foot on it. When he would stop sniffing and nudging around my foot and would look up at me, I'd praise him and give a treat (a better treat than kibble helps reinforce that "leaving it" and focussing on you is worthwhile). He now has a nice "leave it" which is handy for a number of reasons. Teaching "leave it" might be helpful for you and Jack with regards to this problem.

 

When you do tell him to "leave it" about the grass or digging, you might want to offer a nice reward/treat for his good response. There has been a recent thread on treating vs non-treating, and there are many different thoughts on the matter. In basic training for manners and situations like this, a little treating can go a long way to developing the behaviors you seek without making your pup/dog treat-dependent and always seeking treats.

 

Best wishes!

[Heppers]

We found Daisy did digging out of boredom sometimes when whe was little. She eventaully stopped, think she must have grown out of it! My sisters border collie digs in the house if left alone. She will dig up the door mat and dig at the carpet and she is 11 years old!! Daisy does it on a night time when she cant get comfy in her bed or she will dig the bedroom mat up in protest if we dont let her sleep in our bed!!

[gneiss]

Another good way of teaching your dog a reliable "leave it" is to clicker train your dog. I would suggest getting Karen Pryors clicker training book (www.clickertraining.com). It takes the dog no time to understand that a "click" means a reward is coming. I clicker trained all my dogs and rehab dogs. It takes approximately 50 clicks/treats before the dog understands (click and then treat...repeat this process several times). You will know when the dog has gotten it; because when you "click" the dog will look at you expecting the treat. when you see the dog doing something inappropiate get the dogs attention and then "click" and "treat". This process is explained much clearer in Karen's book.

 

Good Luck

-G

[Becki's Boys]

You all have been so great. I thank you so much. He will still dig, but when I'm trying some of your suggestions(especially throwing poop in the hole)he immediately stops. So it's working so far.