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Posted by admin on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment

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Discouraging Your Dog From Digging And Dog Clicker Coaching

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is the love of digging. From burying bones to making cool dens for shelter, dogs in yards will inevitably turn to this favorite past time.

While it is a natural instinct in dogs, digging can be detrimental to your yard and to your dog's discipline. How can you get your living breathing shovel to stop?

As with children, dogs do things for a reason. Why is your dog digging? If you can figure this out, you are halfway to a solution. Does he just love to fling dirt?

However, there may be other reasons including lack of attention or stimulation, storing food, or he’s building a den to cool off or stay warm. Alternately, he may be attracted to freshly turned earth or the scent of fertilizer.

If you can determine why your dog is digging, you can take appropriate action. For instance, do you notice your dog digging when it is very hot? He could simply be seeking some shelter from the sun. Remedying the situation by getting a doghouse or taking the dog inside will most likely stop the digging. Dog obedience training can help to change mischievous habits.

If that doesn't help, your dog may have developed a digging habit! The following suggestions can help:

1. Dogs can often be deterred from undesirable behavior if there is an unpleasant consequence. Try burying a balloon in your dog's frequent digging spots. Once he pops one balloon, he may be over his habit.

2. When you refill the holes, add in some of your dog's own feces. The next time he digs there, he will be repelled by it. This may not be a fun way for you to teach your dog, but it is effective and humane.

3. Try burying some chicken wire just below the surface where your dog likes to dig. When your dog pits the wire with his paws, he’ll hate the sensation and stop digging.

4. If you catch your pet in the act of digging, spray him with a water bottle or hose. Dogs hate this (but it is not harmful). They'll get the message. Do not, however, spray him if you don't catch him actively engaging in digging. If you do, he won't understand why he's being punished.

Digging is natural, but it doesn't have to ruin your yard. Figure out why your dog is engaging in this behavior and take a little time to work on it with him. You'll both be much happier. Not unlike puppy training, naughty habits can be corrected with a little training.

Clicker Training for Great Dog Behavior

You want to teach your dog acceptable behavior in a gentle, humane way. Many people have found success with the clicker method.

Operant conditioning is the repetition of a behavior when a reward is given. This is the premise behind clicker training. How does it work?

You will need a clicker. This is simply a handheld plastic box. A metal strip is attached. Depressing the strip causes a sharp click.

The key to clicker training is to teach your dog to associate the click with the reward, such as a biscuit. After your dog successfully performs a command, you click. Offer the treat at the same time.

This teaches your dog to connect the behavior with the click. Since the click is associated with the treat, he'll be more apt to perform the good behavior. Eventually, you can phase out the treat, and he will respond to the click. After successful training, you won't need the clicker either.

You can often train dogs with clickers faster and more effectively than with other means. Clicking is immediate, so your dog quickly learns that his behavior is producing the treat. This encourages repetition of the desired behaviors.

Trying the clicker method can lead to more effective, quicker training. It works with your dog’s natural urge to please you and earn a reward.

Be educated about your pet's behaviour issues and needs, learn more about puppy training.

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