Dog Digging

[FamilyGal]

I mentioned this in another thread, but not sure which one, so I started a new one.

Our dog continues to dig out. Candleman suggested putting him back in the hole he came from, so we tried it. The dog was back out before we could even get back to the front of the house. Grrr. It is frustrating us beyond belief.

We are so concerned he is going to get hit by a car because we live by a busy road. Several times, the way I realized he was out was because I could hear the horns honking :(. We have to tie him up recently when we leave, just to make sure he stays in the yard. We fill the hole, put stakes in it, etc... But, to no avail. We are about to return him to the SPCA if something doesn't help FAST. We adopted him about six months ago and he is a wonderful dog. He had been returned twice from previous adoptions, but not for these reasons. He had been there for almost a year and even the workers were sad to see him go, but happy he finally found a family. We REALLY don't want to return him, but we also don't want him hit by a car.

[Wilson]

I'm about to dump bullrock into the holes Nora is digging around the pathway - maybe you could but some boulders and put them in the holes he digs? I realize it could get expensive, though. My uncle used to use buried electrical wire, but I don't remember how well it worked or how practical it is.

[FamilyGal]

We have a 700' fence though. :(

[Wilson]

We have a 700' fence though. :(

You wouldn't have that problem in TW proper :p

[schnauzermom]

We used an invisible fence when we lived in Ohio since most yards don't come with a fence and it would have cost too much to fence our half-acre lot. I think we bought the kit from the pet store and then got extra wire from Home Depot. It took about a week to train the dogs and they have to always wear a collar when outside. We first just laid down the wire on top of the grass to make sure it worked then when it did we buried it. You can set the perimeter to beep when they get within a certain distance from the fence. It warns them before it shocks them. It may not sound nice but it is better then getting hit by a car.

[Wilson]

One of my neighbors used Invisible Fence in another state and has always had good things to say about the system. Great idea!

[Candleman]

FG I had to do it twice before it worked. I guess some dogs just won't learn.

[FamilyGal]

Right now, we have him tied up because as I was writing the post earlier, he had dug out again and was chasing a jogger. :(

He has NEVER chased anyone before and that really upset me. We can't have him chasing people too! Once the jogger stopped, Bailey just wanted to play, but the jogger didn't know that initially. I HATE having him chained up. And, yes, we have tried to have him trained as well. Other than then the digging, he is an awesome dog. I don't know what is going on with the digging.

[cgwoolf]

Some breeds are just natural born diggers. Even if he is a mutt, he may have enough of a breed in him to be a digger - doing what comes naturally for him. I have never had electric fence but I've heard nothing but good things about them. Only other thing I know to do is put some vile smelling stuff around the perimeter of fence - something dogs hate to smell. Maybe red pepper and vinegar? Not sure exactly what to use.

[FamilyGal]

That's a thought. Perhaps I could put it in the garden sprayer and spray whatever along the fence. For now, she is having to be tied up and I HATE that. But, we would hate even more for her to get run over over picked up while she is running around the neighborhood.

[Realtorchick]

FG, when is he doing this? Is he primarily an inside dog?

Invisible fences work well with some breed (not hounds), that might be the best option.

something we've tried w/ hounds is to dig a trench around fenc and pour cement in the trench, there by making it impossible for dog to dig out

You can put rail road tied or landscape timbers along the fence and nail it down into the ground

[FamilyGal]

He is now doing it EVERY chance he gets. He will NOT stay in the yard. No, he is not primarily an inside dog. The railroad tie is a good idea.

Wonder how I can get A LOT of those?

[msucowboy97]

try putting their droppings in the hole and area where he is digging out.

[FamilyGal]

The Pastor just gave me an idea that he has done before. He said that perhaps the breed is a "working" dog and just needs much more exercise. In addition to his daily walks, to add a backpack of weights (apparently they make those for dogs). He feels that the dog has too much energy and is not be stimulated enough. I guess we will try that as well. Can't hurt.

[FamilyGal]

try putting their droppings in the hole and area where he is digging out.

I've heard that too, but again, our fence is 700's and I am not going to shovel crap every day several times a day. (Have a field day with that one...lol)

[msucowboy97]

well your husband and I were going to drink a yager bombs while you shoveled $hit around.

[eaglesprings]

Ooooh, that's bad! LOL!

I may have missed it, but what type of dog is this? Meaning, do you know what the predominate mix is?

Just curious. I have no words of wisdom.

[Candleman]

Let the dog out in the yard, then walk around to the other side of the fence armed with water balloons and when his head peeks under the fence unload the water balloons on the fence just above his head. Scare the hell out of him lol. He may be scared of the consequences the next time lol.
This is tongue in cheek , but ya never know lol.:)

[eaglesprings]

Let the dog out in the yard, then walk around to the other side of the fence armed with water balloons and when his head peeks under the fence unload the water balloons on the fence just above his head. Scare the hell out of him lol. He may be scared of the consequences the next time lol.
This is tongue in cheek , but ya never know lol.:)


That actually might not be a bad idea. Or, something similar is worth a try, anyway. Maybe a high powered water hose? Anything that is harmless, but makes the dog think twice. (Kind of like the water gun theory to discourage bad behavior).

Squirting water is certainly better than shoveling $H!T!

[Realtorchick]

high powered water rifle too but to be honest, this behavior is not likely to change.

Sounds like he needs to be made an inside dog with limited access to the yard and only when being supervised.

[FamilyGal]

Our house is way too small for a family of five and a large dog. I am going to try the "wear her out" theory first. Then, I will try the water hose. ;) Then, perhaps the railroad ties.

Squirting water is certainly better than shoveling $H!T!


I totally agree. I have enough $hit to shovel in my life, figuratively. ;)