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Digging is a behaviour
problem with many possible causes.
In order to correct the digging problem, you must find out
and understand the reasons behind the behaviour.
Showing the dog the hole and chastising him will neither
prevent nor cure the problem.
Instinctive Digging:
- Terriers and terrier mixes have been bred for generations
to dig. This is instinctive behaviour and the reward is
the satisfaction of that instinct.
- Pregnant females will dig to make a nest in which
to have their puppies. If she is provided with a whelping
box with rags or newspapers to tear up and dig into, this
behaviour can be channel led so it is not destructive.
- Dogs will dig to bury bones. This is instinctive
caching behaviour.
- Dogs dig when they are hot. A dog will find a nice
shady spot and dig down to some damp earth to lie on. He
is making himself cooler, and that is rewarding.
- Many dogs like to mimic their owners, called allelomimetic
behaviour. When they watch their owners garden, they want
to try it too. This is instinctive behaviour, and is rewarding
to the dog.
- Some dogs that are penned up, try to dig out of the
pen. A male may smell a female in season, or a rabbit, and
dig to get to the source. This , too, is instinctive, and
his freedom is his reward.
If the dog is digging to cache bones, the owner can prevent
this by not giving him bones. If it is to find coolness,
a kiddy pool or hosing off will help. If the female is making
a nest, Providing her with her own place to nest is sufficient.
If the dog is imitating his owners in the garden, the owner
can leave him in the house when gardening. If he is a terrier
digging to find rabbit or chipmunk, the owner would do best
to provide him with an area to exercise his instincts, where
holes won't be a problem.
Other Reasons:
- The most common causes of digging are non instinctive
- boredom, frustration and loneliness. If a dog is isolated
in the yard for hours on end, he releases his frustrations
in any way he can. This often means digging - usually near
the house, by the stairs, or around the foundation. The
reward in this case is the release of tension.
- If the cause of the problem is boredom or frustration
due to isolation, then the prevention and cure are for the
owner to stop putting the dog in a position of being isolated
and ignored. The problem is prevented by making him part
of the family, giving him a function and teaching him to
be a contributing member of the household. Obedience training,
exercise and attention will go a long way toward preventing
digging.
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