Does anyone have anyone have any ideas on how to stop a puppy digging up the garden?

My pup has dug several huge holes in my garden and tore up all the flower beds, is there any way to stop them doing this or is it just from boredom?

Does anyone have anyone have any ideas on how to stop a puppy digging up the garden?
hide his shovel !!!!
Reply:if you have room in your garden fence off a section where your dog can play and dig, give plenty of toys to keep him busy, every time you see him digging tell him off, it may take time but it will be worth it. my friend has a jack russel that digs up worms and eats them so there were holes scattered everywhere, she could not stop her so she got a very nice kennel and run to put the dog in
Reply:I've heard of putting chicken wire over an area and then covering it with some soil. When I had this problem with Gidget, my Boxer, I read a book that recommended giving her a small area to dig in. Rake the soil in the area up a bit. Try showing the dog the area they are supposed to dig in, and then reinforce them positively for digging there.



An idea for a way to negatively reinforce digging in the garden is to say no while squirting them with a water bottle or shaking a 2 liter pop bottle with bells inside.
Reply:Every dog Ive had ( I love large dogs like golden Retrevers ) and everyone Ive owned liked to dig the garden up?
Reply:Dogs love to dig! Especially puppies! Can you not give him a little area to dig? My pup has the bottom of the garden ~ He's in his element when he's down there!
Reply:I get asked this question a lot. Try putting some of your pup's poop in the hole. If you catch them doing it, try redirecting their attention to something else and praise them for coming to you when you do this. Offer them a treat or a toy when they listen to you.
Reply:I have just bought two puppies and they too are digging holes in the garden and even bringing bits off shrubs into the lounge, i don't have an answer, i bet and hope that next year this will stop because it's puppy behaviour. I do take them out for an hour or so in the morning, but I may be at a slight advantage because I live on the Isle of Man and there is a safe place where I can let them run free and they come back knackered. the best answers I have read is the one with filling the hole and pegging down some chicken wire to protect the area, and the other being a water pistol, but additionally a few harsh naughty boy stuff when u catch them may also help, lots of play toys too, squeaky ones and i find that they like pigs ears and will sit there and chew for ages, which also saves the furniture. Good luck anyway, I have found the house training easier than I thought, you can buy a spray from the pet shop that not only cleans the carpet but leaves an unpleasant odour, and always have a clicker in my pocket which dispenses a treat when they have weed outside, or in fact anywhere that isn't in the house.
Reply:you cant!! its only natural.............if the dog is such an annoiance to u why get it??!!
Reply:cut off his paws...if he continues this behavior shoot it
Reply:Concrete the whole thing!
Reply:Cover your garden with plate steel, that should do the trick!
Reply:Don't think it's bordom, they just think it's fun... Teach them, when they do it just tell them off and show them the hairy side of your hand, but don't beat them...
Reply:Pour some ammonia near it and he won't go over there
Reply:you should peel some oranges lemons and limes and put the peelings on the spots where he is digging it will deter him from there as all cats and dogs hate the smell of citrus you should also spray a citrus scented cleaner on your furniture to stop him chewing or scratching if thats any help
Reply:Tie it up
Reply:Put it in next doors garden while they're at work or saw it's feet off.
Reply:Many hardware stores have a chemical which keeps animals from getting near plants and other areas without hurting them. It will also keep out deer, rabbits, and other animals you don't want in there.
Reply:Super glue his feet to the path and never let him loose!!!!!!!!
Reply:Landmines
Reply:go out side with him and ever time he does it tell him off if you don't' tell them off when they are doing it they have no idea if you tell them off 5min later what they have done wrong, just that you are shouting at them. It may take some time but he will get the message. good luck.
Reply:Hi did u give your pup a bone or chew?? They dig up the garden to bury their treasures away from you. If not, then it could be the breed of pup you have. You havent said what he/she is breed wise but alot of dogs have digging in their nature and the only way to control it, is to make a small area in garden especially for digging. Train pup just to dig in the one place and put toys there to make it appealing. Will take a while and a huge amount of patience but will work in the end. Good luck x
Reply:tie his paws together
Reply:get a water pistal everytime he starts to dig give him a shot, worked for our dog.
Reply:concrete the garden :-P
Reply:Hiya Murnip,

You poor lov you lol lol lol, sorry about laughing but i have the same problem, but im a bit mad because i get down on my hands and knees and join in with them lol lol, it is boredom, try and get him/her out on more walks, let him/her get rid of some of that energy, or you could section part of your garden off just for him, try hiding his fav toy in there and get him to sniff it out, you will be training him to sniff out items, retrieve without him even knowing it, good luck hun, lol lol lol i just got a picture in my mind of a dog bringing in a bunch of flowers, lol lol lol Told you i was mad didn't i, lol lol lol
Reply:Digging is a natural behavior for many dogs. If the urge is there, it will be hard to stop all together. I suggest pick his place, preferably a spot not near or affiliated with your garden, that he is allowed to dig. Picking a place away from the garden will allow him the place to dig, but prevent confusion about where he can do it.
Reply:yes bury him in the hole he has just dug%26gt;%26gt; couldn't resist that Murnip. Its typical of terriers to do this, does he happen to be a terrier, anyway just spray him with water as soon as he does it and eventually he will get the message
Reply:i would say that's puppies for ya he/she will grow out of it
Reply:There is a way that uses no chemicals and is not detrimental to the puppy. It does prevent him/her from digging if you are consistant. Fill every hold they have dug with water and the next time he/she goes to dig, gently put their nose in the water and in a stern voice say "Bad". The dog will associate the hole with a negative reaction and will be less likey to do it again.
Reply:concrete the garden