Stop Puppy Digging

How to Stop Puppy DiggingPuppyDiggingProblems Stop Puppy Digging

As a new puppy owner you will learn that if puppies love to do one thing that is to dig, it is a favorite activity of theirs.  Obviously you want to prevent your puppy from digging as it will become bothersome to see them digging holes under your fence, in your yard and of course your precious garden!  Some people opt to keep their puppies inside more to avoid this behavior.  There are two problems with this method of training.  First, it will not stop them from digging outside once they are outside.  Second, they will in turn start digging at things inside the house such as your nice wood floors, the couch, the carpet, etc.  So it is important to understand that it is within the puppy’s nature to want to dig.

Top 5 Tips – How to Stop Puppy Digging

Tip #1 –How to Stop Puppy Digging – Designated Digging Area

Now, keep in mind it is important to understand that a dog naturally wants to dig.  You will want to setup a designated area your puppy can dig in.  The perfect idea for this is to setup a sandbox that is just for them to dig in.  It is important that you teach them that this is their area for digging and not elsewhere in your yard.  Obviously a good idea to help them understand this is to put some of their toys in there.  Also, burying an occasional treat can be fun for them and it will help them learn this is their digging area.  Once your puppy figures out this is where his toys and treats can be found they are less prone to dig in other locations of the yard.

Tip #2 – How to Stop Puppy Digging in Your Garden

Obviously the last thing you will want is your new puppy digging up your garden!  This can be a problem when you first get them, however, by training them to use a designated digging area you will have much less trouble with them wanting to mess around in the garden.  When you see your puppy is digging in the garden you will want to tell them “NO!” and direct them to their area for digging.  It will not take them long to understand the proper location for digging.  Also, make certain that you tell them that they are good and reinforce the proper behavior when they are digging in the proper area for digging.

Tip #3 – How to Stop Puppy Digging – Avoid My Flowers!

Another good trick you can employ is the use of chili powder around your flower garden.  When you use chili powder in combination with your watering you will have much better success at keeping them away from your flowers as they are not big fans of this smell and they will avoid it.  Again, this obviously will become a much smaller issue once your puppy figures out the proper area for digging.

Tip #4 – How to Stop Puppy Digging – Those Random Holes

It can be frustrating to see random holes dug throughout your nice yard.  Puppies are known to return to a hole that they have started to dig to continue where they left off.  If you fill the hole up with rocks, leaves and sticks and then cover it with dirt they will likely not mess with it anymore as things have dramatically changed for them.   They do not like digging through such things and will move on to find other things to do.

Tip #5 – How to Stop Puppy Digging – A Good Firm No

When all else fails a firm no and redirection to their area for digging will eventually get through to them.  Especially if you burry some of their favorite toys and a few treats in their sandbox.  Over time with repetitive training your new puppy will gladly stay in their area for digging.  As most of you know puppies love praise and rewards.  They will learn when they are being bad that they are not rewarded and they know when they are in trouble.  Once they start getting the attention and rewards for digging in their sandbox they will always use that location for their digging.  Learning how to stop puppy digging takes some time but in the end it is very rewarding for both you and your new puppy.

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