subject: 2 Tips on How to Stop a Puppy from Digging - Puppy Training for Frustrated Owners [print this page] 2 Tips on How to Stop a Puppy from Digging - Puppy Training for Frustrated Owners
Are you trying to figure out how to stop a puppy from digging but unsure of what to do about it? A digging puppy can not only cost you $100's of damage on your lawn and flowerbeds - turning your once beautiful yard into looking like an ugly battlefield - but not eliminating this behavior right away can turn into more severe dog problems later on. However, you've made the right choice to get rid of this behavior for good by taking action now. I've written 2 very helpful training tips here that Ilearned trying to get my own dogs to stop digging and turning my yard into an eyesore:
1) Ilearned this tip from a friend who was having similar dog digging problems like Iwas. This may seem a little extreme/cruel, but I assure you it's not and it works. Get an empty metal can or glass bottle and put some coins, screws, nails, small metal objects, etc... in there (just enough to where when you shake it it makes a loud noise). The next time you catch your puppy digging, run up to him/her and yell out a commanding, authoritative "NO!" and shake your can forcefully a few feet away from the dog. This will temporarily scare the dog and get it into their long-term memory to NOT be digging there again.
2) This one is also very crucial for you to learn how to stop a puppy from digging. One of the main reasons for a dog digging is that they are bored and looking for a fun and "constructive" (to them) way to release it. So they decide to nuke your flowerbeds and lawn. However, make sure that you are taking your dog on long walks or runs and playing with him daily for at least 30 minutes. This will make him or her too tired to go dig up your yard.
