Put an End to the Digging Habit of Your Dog

Even if we regard dogs as family members, dogs are dogs and have their unfavorable behaviors. Although many dogs love to dig and it is healthy to allow them to indulge in this activity and express their being dogs, digging holes everywhere in your yard or ruining your flowerbeds is another thing.  Your dog should know that expressing himself should not be at the expense of your garden or flowerbeds. You can keep your garden in one piece and at the same time allow your dog to express himself and indulge in his digging habit from time to time if your dog has developed the right attitude about digging. So how can you resolve this problem and put an end to the digging habit of your dog?

First you have to know why dogs dig. There are common reasons why dogs dig and knowing the reason behind your canine friend’s unfavorable behavior can be very helpful if you want to put an end to the digging habit of your dog. Under-exercised dogs tend to dig as a way to burn off nervous energy. Dogs that are bored may use digging to keep them bus or entertain themselves if left alone in the yard for long periods of time and digging gives them a sense of purpose. Loneliness can also be a reason for his digging habit when he is usually left with no playmates or toys. Knowing the reason behind his digging habit is the key in solving your dog’s unnecessary behavior.

Create a bigger world for your pet. As a pet owner it is your duty to expand the world of your pet to prevent him from developing unfavorable habits.  You can do this by helping your dog spend more time with people. Have a regular walk with your dog to make your dog more sociable.  You will not only solve the boredom and loneliness of your dog but a regular walk is also a good exercise for you and your dog. Teaching your dog new commands or tricks can be a good way to bond and interact with each other. He will eventually forget his unnecessary digging habits if he is not always confined around the yard. It will be easier to put an end to the digging habit of your dog if your dog has a wider world to explore.

Praise your dog when he is not digging. This positive reinforcement can be very helpful to encourage your dog to behave properly. Of course you should let him know when he is displaying unfavorable behavior by saying the word “No” with a firm voice but punishment like physically hurting your dog or pushing his head down the hole he created is too abusive and may create tension in your relationship. Your dog might grow distant with you if punishments are too abusive and this is not good because as a pet owner you should strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Praising him for not digging is a positive way to put an end to the digging habit of your dog.

Provide an appropriate place for digging. It can be hard to end the digging habit of your dog if you will not provide an alternative. As mentioned earlier, dogs may need to dig and exercise their true nature especially those breeds that are more of a digger like Terriers and Nordic breeds. You need to teach your pet what is appropriate and what is not acceptable. Provide a sandbox or appropriate digging area for your dog. Teach him to learn the command “Dig” when he is on the area where it is okay to dig and praise him for doing so. If he digs on prohibited areas, firmly say the words “No dig”. Be patient and he will soon learn the proper behavior.

It can be really stressful to put an end to the digging habit of your dog but with love and patience, your canine friend will soon learn your rules. But if you are losing hope and cannot handle the bad behavior of your dog by yourself, there is nothing wrong in seeking professional help. Do you want to learn more secrets? To find out visit Secrets to Dog Training 


Stop Your Dog’s Destructive Chewing Behavior

Chewing is a normal behavior when eating but if this becomes a habit even when not eating then it becomes a destructive behavior. This unnecessary chewing habit can be formed by your dog for many reasons but whatever drives your dog to have this habit, the end result can be really stressful. With the strong jaw and sharp-pointed teeth of your dog, his inappropriate chewing habit can damage your appliances, household items and personal possessions. Before all your things get damaged and before you lose your temper, you have to learn how to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior.

Teaching dogs the right behavior can be really stressful if you do not know how. First, you should know the reasons why dogs usually form the habit of inappropriate chewing. Dogs make chewing a habit because they find chewing a pleasurable and rewarding habit. It is fun to chew things and rewarding if it makes them happy especially if they chew something that tastes good.  Chewing can also be an outlet for a bored and lonely dog; the rhythmic cycle of moving his mouth, jaw and sharp teeth over and over again to chew on something is soothing and like a therapy for his boredom and loneliness. Sometimes dogs that lack exercise make chewing a way to keep them active and burn energy. It would be easier to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior if you know the reason behind it.

The good news is that dogs are capable to unlearn their bad habits and replace them with the proper behavior.  So what can you do to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior?

Dog-proof your home. If you decided to raise a dog and keep it to become part of your family, you need to prepare your home. Manage your personal belongings and household items and keep them away from your canine friend. Even if you have a well-behaved dog, you are tempting your dog to develop destructive chewing habit if things in your house are easy to access or reach by your dog. Important things like cameras, cell phones, remote controls, shoes, clothes, watches, books, notebooks and laptops should be kept properly on places that your dog cannot reach even when he jump or climb. Do not leave food on easy to reach tables or counter tops to avoid your dog from messing with your food. If there are rooms that are off-limits for your dog, keep the door closed to discourage your dog from entering those off-limits areas.  You may need to confine your dog in a dog-proofed area to avoid him from reaching the furniture in your home and to let him understand that he does not have the freedom to chew your sofa, chair leg, pillows, etc. Keep things in your house away from your dog if you want to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior.

Provide an alternative for his chewing habit. Dogs need to chew especially a puppy under one year old. You cannot just stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior without offering an alternative for him to divert his chewing habit. If he has something else to chew, your personal stuffs will look less attractive or less tempting to him. Ask your vet for the best chewing toys for your dog and buy at least three toys for him. He may get bored if you will only buy one type of chew toys so buy at least 2-3 types of chew toys that you can rotate every few days.

Interact with your dog. If you want to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior, you cannot just cage him in his crate or keep him out because your pet needs supervision and interaction not only for him to learn good behavior but for him to also feel loved. He will not know how to integrate himself into your life as a new member of your household if you just keep him boxed in the dog area. Interact with your dog. If he did something wrong, let him know that it was wrong and if he did something right, reward him or praise him for behaving properly. With the correct interaction and supervision, your dog will understand that your stuffs should not be chewed. It will be easier to stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior if you and your dog are interacting with each other. Dogs cannot talk but they surely have the smarts to understand their owners.

Walk your dog out regularly. Your dog needs to go out to ease his boredom. As mentioned earlier, boredom or loneliness can be a reason why dogs find destructive chewing pleasurable and therapeutic. Spend some time to walk your dog out every morning or on a regular basis. He will be less bored and he will learn to behave more properly if he can socialize with people and other dogs.
It is also important to be realistic that you cannot stop your dog’s destructive chewing behavior overnight. You and your dog are not perfect and before he could totally forget his bad habits he may chew or damage some of your precious possessions. It will take a while before he could completely learn not to chew your cherished possessions and learn your house rules so be patient with your canine friend. If you need help in teaching your dog, do not hesitate to seek professional help. If you want to know more secrets in raising an obedient dog, visit Secrets to Dog Training