He just started this a few weeks ago. We have a privacy fence because we have to with a pool. He got smart and dug 3 holes on one side of the fence and got out.(like within 20 minutes) This is a new one. My husband is pissed because he has to landscape it again. He just wants to run and play with the neighbor dogs. Then we play the game of catch me if you can when he got out. :stinkeye:

And before anyone decides to rag at me, I found this..http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/digging.html

He is not outside that long. He always just ran and played in our back yard before and was fine. Now that he discovered digging = run, play, and freedom, to him, that is all he wants to do now. I just take him out on the lease. But the sad thing is that I feel bad that he can not run and play in our backyard for that long anymore. I have to watch him all the time or take him out on a leash. Yes he gets many walks, toys, and all. GGGRR. I want him to be still able to play outside for a few, but now, since he discovered this, it kinda sucks. Close to a year now of having him.

Anyway how do you teach a dog not to dig?

I don't own dogs, but I have heard from other dog owners that putting down chicken wire or some kind of mesh fencing usually does the trick. I think you can either lay it on top of the ground or bury it a few inches underneath so that when he starts digging, he will hit the chicken wire and it will act as a deterrent.

That's a good idea. A physical barrier is going to be better than training your dog not to dig - quicker and more reliable. Some people have a concrete mowing stripe around the inside of their fences, just so they can mow their lawns without having to use a weed whacker, pretty expensive and elaborate but I'll bet that would work as well.

at this point you'd probably still have to come up with some barrier. but have you additionally considered getting another dog as a playmate? soounds like he really enjoys the company of other dogs! if you think about it, in a natural state, he'd be running and playing with his pack all day.

He just started this a few weeks ago. We have a privacy fence because we have to with a pool. He got smart and dug 3 holes on one side of the fence and got out.(like within 20 minutes) This is a new one. My husband is pissed because he has to landscape it again. He just wants to run and play with the neighbor dogs. Then we play the game of catch me if you can when he got out. :stinkeye:

And before anyone decides to rag at me, I found this..http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/digging.html

He is not outside that long. He always just ran and played in our back yard before and was fine. Now that he discovered digging = run, play, and freedom, to him, that is all he wants to do now. I just take him out on the lease. But the sad thing is that I feel bad that he can not run and play in our backyard for that long anymore. I have to watch him all the time or take him out on a leash. Yes he gets many walks, toys, and all. GGGRR. I want him to be still able to play outside for a few, but now, since he discovered this, it kinda sucks. Close to a year now of having him.

Anyway how do you teach a dog not to dig?

different things work for different dogs; if it was just digging holes I would recomment putting their poop in the hole and covering it; however yours is digging out and escaping, the best thing to do would be to install dig guards.

Depending on the size and strength of your dog will determine what size fencing to use. Basically you get some 2-3 foot tall sections of fencing (chicken wire, garden fencing, whatever) and attach it to the bottom of your fence, then bury the rest under the soil.

Other methods would involve digging as well something like invisible fencing, hot wire, etc....

Why don't you try to set up play dates with the neighboor dog. Also a dog who hs a long walk at least once a day is less likely to dig. But honestly you should be with your dog when he is outside to socialize him AND to show you are the dominant or top dog.

Chicken wire sounds tedious...what about a sky line? and supervision?

I planted spike aloe plants around the endge of my fence, landscaping and since it has some rather wicked thorns the dogs do not care for attempting to dig out.

Why don't you try to set up play dates with the neighboor dog. Also a dog who hs a long walk at least once a day is less likely to dig. But honestly you should be with your dog when he is outside to socialize him AND to show you are the dominant or top dog.

Chicken wire sounds tedious...what about a sky line? and supervision?
sky line? do you mean tether lead? kinda like a close line. In some areas that is illegal for one, many people think any type of tie out is cruel.

As to being outdoor with your dog all the time. Some dogs perfer to be outside, I love my dog a lot but when it's in the teens or less and he wants to be outside cause it's too hot in the house, I am not going to hang out with him in the back yard. More than likely I would end up sleeping out there with him since that is where he would rather be; if I had his coat I would probably agree with him.

What does being outside with you dog in the back yard have to do with socialization and or showing him/her you are top dog?

Dogs dig for a variety of reasons. Just because one takes a dog on a daily or even 2 daily walks a day will not necessarily stop a dog from digging; of that I am positive of.

Why don't you try to set up play dates with the neighboor dog. Also a dog who hs a long walk at least once a day is less likely to dig. But honestly you should be with your dog when he is outside to socialize him AND to show you are the dominant or top dog.

Chicken wire sounds tedious...what about a sky line? and supervision?
I'd hate to have to see a dog forced to use a trolley or tie out when there are other options available. I won't let Skip go to a home where a trolley (sky line) is needed because it's not fair to him (he loves to run).

I agree that wearing him out with a jog before leaving him outside unsupervised will help considerably. And I'm also a big fan of staying out with your dog when they're in the yard, whenever possible. That's really the only way you'll be able to correct the behavior. But, chicken wire is a good easy way to stop dogs from digging underneath a fence.