| n you come home to find holes all over your lawn, | | | | "Are you getting too hot back here when I’m |
| and you have a dog, there may be a correlation | | | | away?" We all know that dogs pant when it’s |
| there. But don't bother trying to confront your dog | | | | hot. But they also like to burrow, especially when |
| after the fact. Punishment after the fact is widely | | | | there is not a spot of shade in sight. So you’ll |
| known as the least effective and potentially most | | | | need to rule this out as motivating factor for your |
| damaging form of dog training on earth. Even if you | | | | dog's digging, and make sure they have a place to |
| bring your dog to the spot, hold them by the scruff | | | | stay cool. |
| of the neck, and scold them while you direct their | | | | Lastly, you’ll have to ask your dog, "Are you |
| head deep into their handiwork, they won’t | | | | burying your stuff?" This is simply an old habit that |
| have any idea what all the fuss is about. | | | | stems from the fact that their ancestors often killed |
| Instead, take a deep breath, and complete your | | | | more than they could eat in a sitting. This habit may |
| after work wind-down routine. Then, calmly return to | | | | be tough to break, but changing the range of treats |
| the back yard to locate your dog, with the intention | | | | you leave with your dog when away, for instance, a |
| of asking a few questions about their habit of | | | | massive juicy bone may be a great treat for your |
| excavating your property. | | | | dog when you're around, but might be something |
| If you are unable to locate your dog, AND the holes | | | | you don't leave with them when you're gone. |
| in your lawn are all found right along the bottom of | | | | Nonetheless, you may have to change the dog's |
| your fence line, then you may not need to ask the | | | | access areas, or fence off an area that you’d |
| first question, which is, "Are you trying to escape?" If | | | | like to keep for the kids' soccer pitch. You can also |
| your pet is not "fixed" (neutered or spayed), then | | | | try setting up a dirt area or sandbox where digging is |
| they may be entertaining their roaming instinct. They | | | | allowed and encouraged. Many dogs are wild about |
| will return, and they may even bring a whole family | | | | sand, and you can even attract them to the area by |
| with them when they do. | | | | burying treats in the sandbox. I’ve seen this |
| Another possibility is that your dog is digging to | | | | work well. |
| freedom in an attempt to find you. If your dog is | | | | In the grand scheme of dog obedience problems, |
| near or even somewhere on your property when | | | | however, this should be more of a nuisance than |
| you return from a period of absence, they may in | | | | anything. Often I remind dog owners that it’s |
| fact have separation anxiety issues, which | | | | more than likely their lawn will forgive the dog, and |
| you’ll have to treat directly. Once you do, the | | | | that having a healthy and happy pet sometimes |
| digging will be an afterthought. | | | | comes with the sacrifice of a perfect lawn. |
| If your dog is there, your next question to ask is, | | | | |