Digging

Many dogs love to dig, particularly terriers, which have been bred for centuries to do exactly that!

Although digging is unacceptable to us, it is a perfectly normal canine behaviour, and as such is often better redirected than ‘cured’.

Creating a ‘digging pit’ for confirmed canine gardeners is usually the best way of offering an appropriate outlet for the behaviour, without having a hole the size of a swimming pool in your lawn!

• Choose an appropriate site, then dig a large pit, adding builder’s sand to the soil,so that it won’t clog in the dog’s paws too much.
• Take your dog to the pit and let him watch you bury a juicy bone, a toy which he really likes, or some biscuits, then let him dig them up.
• Repeat this a few times,so that he gets the hang of it!
• Bury items in the pit once or twice a week when the dog is not around. He will have a wonderful surprise when he discovers that his pit has buried treasure in it!

Having found treasure in this spot, very few dogs then want to dig elsewhere!

See Alpha Shop for “Puppy Survival Guide” by Sarah Whitehead

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