My American Eskimo who is just over a year old, incessantly digs in our yard. We have had a consultation with a dog trainer who told us he needs more exercise. At that time he was getting walked 30-60 minutes a day, now I walk him every morning for an hour then play with him in the back yard in the evening. But as soon as I leave him in the back yard alone, he starts tearing out our grass and plants. Does anyone have any recommendations on how to stop the digging????

As the owner of a Samoyed and a Siberian Husky (both notorious diggers), as well as a Cairn Terrier in the past (also a notorious digger), I have bad news. Unfortunately, Eskimos, Samoyeds, and Siberians (along with most other Northern breeds) have digging instinct. In the cold Northern regions of Russia, these breeds, when left outside (during sledding explorations, races, quests, and such) dug burrows in the snow to shelter themselves from the bitter cold winds and sub-zero temperatures. According the the Siberian Husky Club of America, curing digging is next to impossible. They suggest giving your dog a sandbox to dig in. To get your dog interested in the sandbox, bury favorite toys, bones, treats, etc., anything that you know your dog really likes, and bury them in the sand. Let your dog watch the first time so he can see you burying the toys/treats.

Unfortunately, a lot a behavioral trainers are not familiar with all dog breeds (I not only am a proponent of breed specific feeding, but also of breed specific training in my holistic grooming/dog training business). Natural diggers are not really curable, but the behavior can be minimized and put to better use, or redirected so that it is not destructive. Playing with your dog will not solve the problem, nor will walking him until you have ground his nails to bloody stumps- as you seem to have found out. It is not lack of exercise, nor is it lack of human involvement.

Try the sandbox. Or, you can take a weeks worth or more of your time and sit in the yard every second your dog is in it and correct him as soon as he begins to dig by saying "no" and refocusing his attention. Of course, the likelihood of this working is about as likely as chasing the wind and actually grabbing it! But telling him "no" and redirecting him to a sandbox will work with time and diligence! Let me know if it works at http://fancyfurs.homestead.com.

Blessings!

 

Some breeds are genetically hardwired to dig

One possible solution is to choose certain areas of the yard for your dog to dig to his hearts content. You could create a large, deep sand and earth area, and you can even plant grass on the top to really make your dog happy. Dogs seem for some reason to prefer to attack the grass rather than raw dirt. It won't take long before he understands that the area you created is where he can dig and every place else is NO. Initially it will take keeping a close eye for when the digging happens in an inappropriate area, swoop down with a "NO!", and immediately redirect towards the allowed area, and issue praise as soon as the digging starts in the allowed designated place.

A mistake many dog owners make is to attempt to correct and worse yell at the dog long after the act. This only upsets, confuses, and frustrates the dog.  You must make sure if you reprimand, its right in the middle of the act! In order for a correction to make any sense to your dog,.

If it's a temperature issue

Dogs know that digging exposes cool, moist dirt to help keep them at a comfortable temperature. In summer, many dogs will dig in the earth to expose an area to lie in for comfort. All dogs need access to plenty of shade and cool water especially flat-faced dogs like a pug or a Bulldog which is not your breed, but this can literally be a matter of life and death for a  brachycephalic (pug-nosed) dog that can't self-regulate their body temperature). Make sure your dog has a shady and cool area to hang out. If trees are not there erect an awning, or well shade his kennel with sheets or a light colored canvas over it and of course ensure there is a supply of fresh, cold water at all times. If your dog is cool, happy, and entertained, you stand a chance and not a guarantee that the digging will be stopped, curtailed or at least managed.  

For the Inappropriate Areas to be digging

 Your dog is going to dig in certain areas of the yard when you are not looking. To prevent the digging in the off limits  areas, try:

• Try ground pepper, the smell deters most dogs.
• place chicken wire mesh around plants. Shrubs, and underneath the ground you want to protect. After a while your dog should get discouraged and stay away from the area.

Boredom

If your dog spends a good deal of time alone and has little to occupy his time, it's almost guaranteed that the attention will turn to irritating habits like digging barking. This is not the fault of the dog. Long hours alone can be difficult for companionship-oriented pack animals like dogs, who require something to stimulate the mind and body. Kcubello's response was also filled with good advice, I hope this has helped.

Cheers!

Jay

 

Thank for the advice...we will try out your suggestions and I will update you on our outcomes! Keep your fingers crossed for us!!!