I used to have a setter that would dig holes to the shape of his body so he could lay in it and stretch out. They were deep enough that he could lay ion them and I could mow the lawn without him being in the way.

Sounds to me like someone wasn't aware of what goes into caring for and bringing up a well behaved dog. There aren't as many bad dogs as there are bad owners. It just happens that this bad owner is also named baddog. :1orglaugh

And you solve a dogs problem by mental abuse? You are a POS

You probably live in your moms basement

Oh and you should watch the dog whisperer lol

I think they had an episode on why they do this and how to fix it

12 Reasons why dogs dig


1) The Denning Instinct: Evolution has provided dogs with an instinct to dwell in a protected area. If such shelter is not provided, the dog will dig to obtain it.

2) Temperature Control: In extreme environments, dogs may use earthen dens to control body temperature. Some dogs dig dens to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Providing a protected, warm area in the winter and plenty of liquids, shade and occasional sprays with water in the summer can help eliminate this need to dig.

3) Hunting: Some dogs, such as terriers, are relentless diggers. Such breeds have evolved to use digging as an essential part of their hunting repertoire. Underground there are

countless bugs, dead animals, old trash pits and live game.

4) Self Care: Occasionally digging will be an instinctive expression of self-care, such as stashing bones or surplus food. This behavior keeps the dogs' living areas clean and prevents interference from scavengers.

5) Exploration and Territoriality: Dogs often dig because of their instinct to explore. There is a high survival value associated with being intimately familiar with the territory. Thus, dogs may dig to locate potentially dangerous or useful items. This usually is a temporary phenomenon; however, owners should try to avoid ground disturbances because they may elicit additional investigations.

6) Mimicry: The technical term for this is "allelomimetic behavior." Dogs often will imitate other animals, as well as people.

7) Reproductive Behavior: Walker explains that females in the wild will dig series of dens. This nesting behavior is quite common, and providing a proper whelping box typically will address this sort of digging. Dogs also may dig to escape from the yard and attempt mating. Neutering, of course, provides a permanent solution for this digging.

8) Aggressiveness and Frustration: Digging, especially at a fence or gate, usually is associated with frustration. Being pack animals, dogs want to join others (human or canine) and feel stressed by their isolation and confinement. Male dogs also may display aggression in response to human teasing or canine challenges. Neutering may help reduce this intermale aggression in some cases. Restricting the dog's mobility in order to avoid close proximity to gates or fences also may be helpful, as would persuading your neighbors to stop their children or dogs from teasing your dog.

9) Social Interaction Needs: Some dogs require a home range much larger than a fenced-in yard can provide, and they may attempt to escape simply to increase social contact. Walks, a canine companion and a fence that allows a greater range of visibility may help. Smaller breeds, spayed females and older dogs may be more appropriate for limited ranges, and neutering may be considered for males that wander continually.

10) Attention-Seeking Behavior: Digging, as a random exploratory behavior, may become an entrenched habit if a dog is "rewarded" with considerable negative attention because of its digging. Ignoring the digging while giving positive attention for an incompatible desirable behavior generally is the best approach. Barrier techniques also might be used in conjunction with this form of contingency management. Many barrier approaches exist, such as filling the hole with water, rocks, the dog's own feces, thorny branches, repellents, fencing, chicken wire or cactus plants.




11) Lack of Stimulation: "Dogs will also dig out of boredom",

12) Anxiety, Trauma and Threat: Dogs often dig when feeling sick or especially anxious. "Dogs that are extremely ill will sometimes go off and try to dig a hole in which to lie and die," Walker says. Likewise, when dogs are feeling threatened or insecure, a den may provide comfort and help them relax. When digging is related to trauma (often separation) or a genetically anxious temperament it may become an obsessive tension-reducing mechanism that usually provides only temporary relief. In such cases a veterinarian should be consulted to consider possible anti-anxiety medication

Not giving your dog the proper exercise and attettion, thus causing him to display nervous behaviors is mental and physical abuse as well.

This is not a reflection of the dog, it's a reflection of the owner. This dog probably isn't getting the proper exercise and attention it needs. I'm not saying that Baddog isn't caring for his pup, he's just not covering all of the bases.

:321GFY .

Sorry man. Sometimes the truth hurts. You've got one of the most active breeds on the face of the planet, you've said in this thread you don't have the time to give him, and he's displaying nervous behaviors because of this. The problem is not with the dog, the problem is with you.

Someone mentioned that you should check out Cesar Milan. You should, and the one thing you'll see him point out in most cases is that he's not there to train the dog, he's there to train the owners.

My girlfriend works closely with a local rescue. We've got 2 dogs of our own, and 2 fosters at the moment. 8 months ago, I was in your shoes and would have blamed the dog as well. Most people really DO NOT KNOW what is involved in bringing up a well behaved pup. Knowledge is the key.

Idiot, I said I do not have time to drive him out to Long Beach or Huntington Beach to take him to the dog beach.

He goes to the dog park almost every day, for well over an hour.

As far as the most active on the face of the planet, I never knew that about mutts. Where do you get your info?

Sadie also digs in the mud. Which is a real pain, i feel you :(

our dogs were really bad at digging for a little while. when we would catch them doing it, we would just tell them "no" and then pick them up and bring them in, and wash their paws off, then put them into their cage for a little while for time out.

they hate having their paws washed. :) i think that in conjunction with the time out somehow sunk in for them as not being worth digging the holes anymore. :)

good luck!

I was thinking that Buddy and Sadie should have a date tomorrow night . . . is she busy?

I'm not sure if there's anything you could say at this point that would cause everyone here to stop thinking you're a bit of an idiot after your post advocating holding a dog's head underwater. That certainly doesn't sound like a tactic any professional trainer I know would employ, sorry. Neither is cocking off at those who disagree with you with comments like "What the fuck have you done?" and the like.

I'm no professional trainer myself by any means, but I have been a dog owner for most of my life and been trusted in the care of the dogs owned by many others from time to time. I can agree with some of what you're saying now, dogs do need to know who is boss and they do need consistant reinforcemtent of rules, they certainly do need their owners to put in the time to train them properly in at least the basics, yes.

But sorry, I don't see myself agreeing with shoving a dog's head underwater and holding it there as you described. My dog is like my kid, the rest of the family considers him as part of the family. If you did that to your kid you would be arrested (and hopefully thrown in jail, your kid removed from you and put in a home where they are safe from that abuse), why then should it be okay to bully a dog like that? It isn't. And consider this: If I saw my neighbor doing that to their dog I'm pretty sure I'd report them, as they would me if I were doing it to mine.

There has to be more humane ways of effectively getting a dog to stop certain behaviors than that, hard case or not.

Yeah, I'm glad his dog tore up his couch. She should have shit all over his bed too. Good dog. :thumbsup

my dog digs to bury his bones, then covers it back up again. my cat digs to take a shit, then covers it back up again

Maybe try a Kong.
http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...ext=kong &N=2

You can get all kinds of recipes online for things to stuff it with.
It probably won't cute the digging, but it might give him an alternative source of entertainment.

So you're going to call me an idiot because you can't handle a puppy? Come on dude. In this thread you've said that you "don't have time" and that he's part border collie. So that's where I'm getting my info from.

You're more concerned that he's a flirt and good at picking up chicks.

Please tell goodgirl to have her dogs spayed or nutered. She's only contributing to the problem.

She should have them made into cookies? :helpme

http://www.wackypackages.org/realpro...tter_small.jpg

and please learn to read before commenting.

I have the WORST behaved dogs on the planet. The puppy has torn up just about everything. But they don't dig. Riley (the puppy) brings in about 100 pounds of dirt into the house every day either by way of paws or with the dozens of rocks and sticks he brings in. My dog sitter actually referred to the laundry room (where they stay with a doggie door to the outside while I'm gone) as "the sandbox". I could FedEx you MY dirt for YOUR holes :)

What's really weird is when I hear a strange screeching noise - he is actually CHEWING on the glass door. It's pretty funny to watch from the other side ;)

My dog doesn't dig....but we went to the beach and he fell down a huge hole that some kids had dug....was so funny:)

No. I dig my dog.

I work with animal rescue groups as well, and I have never seen anyone do what you suggested. Pushing a dog's head under water would be considered animal abuse. That is not the way to break them out of digging, it is a great way to scare and scar them. Try and catch them when they are digging and put their nose in the dirt they have dug up. My German Shepherd digs and that is what the certified dog trainer said to do. You can always have a trainer come out and help you as well.

What is your point? You have no idea if this is even a true story. The dog owner could be full of shit. Caesar Milan has worked with thousands of dogs and I have not heard anything bad about him. He saves a lot of dogs that would have been put down because they are aggressive. If this did happen then it was an accident. Accidents happen all the time, does not mean he is not a good trainer.

so let me get this straight..... you actually grab the shit of your dog with your bare hands and stuff it in the ground?

Maybe all you dog experts can give me some advice.. My dog is very well behaved.. Shepard Akita cross... UNTIL I take him off the leash.. Then I won't see him for hours and he won't come when I call.. I used to punish him, but I've spent the last year or so trying to give him postiive reinforcement when I call him etc. but still no use.. He's damn smart that dog. It's like he knows he's going to be in trouble but doesn't really care because nothing truly bad will happen to him.

Some dogs are runners, have seen them, never owned one.

I came home last night and noticed that the plumbers had left the back gate open. My heart dropped. But Buddy was sitting on the back patio, patiently waiting for my return, and his ability to come back in the house.

My friend had a runner, and we still laugh about the time she took off when he brought her over here a couple years ago. He literally ran about 2 miles before he finally caught up to her.

I think I saw a Dog Whisperer episode about runners, but I don't recall how he fixed it because it wasn't an issue for me.

Have you asked his vet also some dogs love to dig. Im lucky Bostons are diggers by nature neither of mine do it.