By Jasmine Banks
Have you ever noticed that when your dog has the entire backyard to run around in and play, his favorite activity seems to be digging underneath the fence? Maybe he's interested in the neighbor's cat or is planning a great escape, or possibly...might just be bored in spite of all the space! Dogs naturally love to dig. However, they need to be taught to leave fences alone.
If your dog is digging due to boredom, then take some steps to reduce the boredom. Make sure your dog has plenty of toys, water and food when left outside for more than a half hour. You might even consider providing him with his own digging spot! Use an old kiddie pool, a sand box or some other large container and fill it with dirt or sand. For fun, bury toys in the dirt for him to unearth! Does your dog like peanut butter? You can purchase a plastic ball that is designed to be filled with peanut butter. For most dogs, it takes almost a half hour to lick all the peanut butter out! A good distraction from the fence, huh!
It's also important to take time to exercise your dog before you take off and shortly after you return home. Go for a jog, a walk, or play fetch. Let him work out some of his energy so he'll be more relaxed and might even sleep for awhile after you leave. If you're too busy to walk your dog, then hire a neighbor kid. You'll see a lot of difference with your dog's behavior when he's routinely getting exercise and seeing new sites. Plus, your neighbor will enjoy making some pocket change!
If your dog just can't resist digging by the fence, use a spray that will discourage him. Or plant plants that have an offensive smell along the fence. You might even want to try using chicken wire or mesh. Place it so it's in the ground at least a foot down. Your dog will get frustrated digging near it and will give up before digging more than a foot deep. Not only is there a danger of your dog escaping, he could cause permanent damage to the fencing--not an expense that you'll want to deal with if you can help it.
If you try these tips and your dog is still winning the battle, then you might need to consider leaving your dog on a leash at a length where he can't reach any of the fencing, or keep him inside while you're away from home. If you consider the indoor option, then you need to ease into this change. Otherwise, you'll be trading digging fences for destroying shoes, couches and anything else!
If you are looking for a proven system to train your dog, click http://disobedientdogtraining.com/ Stop Dog Digging. If you're ready for a highly effective method that's different from what everyone else is teaching, click Stop Dog Biting Now. You don't want to miss this!
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