Dog Community

Destructive Digging!!!

Posted : 5/2/2006 9:55:39 AM

I have a 9-month old Boxer who has become a holy terror. Last week she broke through the back fence (which is our neighbors';) and ran away. My lab mix followed her and he was lost for almost 24 hours. Now she is constantly trying to dig her way out along that back fence. It has gotten to the point where I can't leave them out at all - even for 20 minutes while I try to clean the house - becase she is digging. To make matters worse, she has taught Milo how to dig. We buried poo from all three dogs and she merely moved it aside and kept digging. Then I got smart and laid concrete slabs at the base of the fence where she was digging, and she just found someplace else to dig. The one time I actually caught them doing it, I spanked them, but must of the time I don't see it, so I can't spank them. I really need to get a handle on this now. She has chew toys, bones, I play catch with her, she used to go to obedience every week. I keep them busy. What could be causing this, and how do I stop it? She is destroying the neighbor's property, and I DEFINATELY can't have that. PLEASE HELP!

glenmar

Posted : 5/2/2006 10:00:12 AM

Oh those boxers! It was a neighbors BOXER who taught my gsds to dig.

Try making her a spot where she CAN dig....like a sandbox. Be sure to TEACH her that it's ok to dig there and to encourage that, try "salting" the spot with treats.

Spanking isn't an appropriate reaction to digging.

loveukaykay

Posted : 5/2/2006 11:00:02 AM

Get some metal pipe or 2x4a and bury it all along the fence so she will run into it while digging... that in addition to keeping an eye and trying to teach her to stop.

cakana

Posted : 5/2/2006 11:01:27 AM

I've read a couple of articles on what they call "escape artists" and it can be one of the toughest things to stop. The dogs love to get out and explore and will do just about anything to accomplish that. When I was growing up, our dog would do that except she would go over the fence. The neighbors called her "the flying dog". My dad did every modification you could think of to the fence/gate, but she'd eventually find a way. I think I'd look deeply into ways to shore up the fence line so it's just not possible to get a digging start, so to speak. I'm not sure if you could put concrete blocks all the way around or not, but that's the general idea. The only other option I can think of would be to get the electric fence installed on the inside of the fence so there's maybe a 1-2 food barrier before the actual fence.

Firestorm

Posted : 5/2/2006 11:58:24 AM

What about getting a taller fence and buring it into the ground? Or a kennel on a cement slab for her to go out in? I don't know what to tell you to get the dog to stop with training techniques. Best of luck.

Adam Wilner

Posted : 5/2/2006 2:36:01 PM

I think that you need to set the dog up. Let the dog out and be out there with it. Wait patiently for him to begin digging and then correct the behavior. Then go back to quietly waiting for him to dig again. When he does, correct the behavior again. Every dog responds differently to behavior modification. The type of correction should be carefully considered. My dog now is pretty clear on my meaning depending on my tone.
After a few "corrctions" he will be a little better but you may have to do this two or three times a day for a week. After a short time a simple sound from you "ah" will do the trick.
This one is hard but if you make it clear, in no uncertain terms then I think you have a shot.

glenmar

Posted : 5/2/2006 2:40:03 PM

I won't bother with the WHYS of not whacking, but it's flat wrong to be beating on your dog to try to correct mishaviors.

Adam Wilner

Posted : 5/2/2006 2:51:14 PM

beating

ORIGINAL: glenmar

Please don't beat your dog.

A whack does not have to be painful or cruel. I have a little dog and his "whack" was a twing with my finger on the head.

A whack in my book can also be a sharp clap followed immediately with a stern command.

glenmar

Posted : 5/2/2006 2:55:35 PM

Just to clear the air here, I did NOT say "A whack does not have to be painful or cruel. I have a little dog and his "whack" was a twing with my finger on the head.

A whack in my book can also be a sharp clap followed immediately with a stern command. "

Lets get real folks, a whack is hitting your dog, and hitting your dog is no more right and proper than hitting your kid.

amstaffy

Posted : 5/2/2006 3:19:25 PM

Ok folks...lets get back to positive methods and solutions

glenmar

Posted : 5/2/2006 4:05:13 PM

My vote still goes for making the dogs their very own "digging" pit and then train them to dig ONLY there. Anne can give you better details.

Courtney McMillan

Posted : 5/2/2006 7:13:02 PM

Glenda, I don't recall saying I beat my dog... Perhaps that is because I don't! When I say spanking I mean a quick swat on the rump. It is the same thing I have been told to do when she is operating with selective hearing in class and won't sit after 5 commands and a collar correction. Every dog is different, and responds differently. I happen to have a very stubborn dog - but a dog I also love incredibly. You may want to be careful about using loaded words like beating, especially because it lumps people who care and are good owners in with those who really do abuse their pets.

Courtney

glenmar

Posted : 5/2/2006 7:36:40 PM

Courtney, that comment wasn't directed to you. That was in direct response to the Whacking comment.

If you repeat a command five times, or MORE than one time, the dog thinks he has the option of obeying, or not. Anne can give you better ideas of what to do when you're being ignored, but I use two little words. When I'm training a new behavior I always have treats. If I ask one time and don't get compliance, I say "too bad" and very deliberately put the treat away. You wanna see FAST response? Shadow was a stinker about sitting at street corners...hearing too bad a time or two and that butt started hitting the sidewalk before I said the word. I'm thinking that MOST trainers will tell you to only give a command ONCE. Anne? Mic?

Courtney McMillan

Posted : 5/3/2006 4:28:03 PM

Glenda - Okay. Thank you for that & I apologize for the misunderstanding. You are right, my trainers have been on me about repeating commands - or rather about NOT repeating them. It is just so incredibly hard doing obedience with a Boxer. She is too strong, stubborn and smart for her own good. She loses interest quickly so training has to be done in short bursts. Right now the thing she is having the most trouble with is "Come when called." When outside, she comes to within 5 feet of you and then stops. Then you have to call her again to get her the rest of the way. If you walk toward her she thinks it is a game and runs. So I have started typing her to me outside (like a 25 foot lead) and then giving her a firm jerk on the lead if she doesn't come so I don't have to repeat. Also it makes her think more about where I am going because we are connected. But as soon as she is off-lead it changes again. I don't know what I am going to do with her.

Courtney

cakana

Posted : 5/3/2006 4:58:34 PM

Courtney - are you using treats to train with still? If so, I would think that if you called her to you, but kept your hands (with a treat) close to your body, she'd get the idea that she needs to get closer. I'm satisfied if my dogs come within a foot or so, but I wouldn't treat for 5 feet away. If they learn they must come (meaning all the way to me) to get a treat, then your problem would be solved, no? You wouldn't have to give treats forever, but lots of praise should also work.