how do i stop this?

[allicat]

my boxer is almost 8 months old now. she has started digging in the yard. i am afraid she is going to dig out. is there anything i can do to stop this behavior? please anybody help! i don't want to lose her.

 

[ehayes21]

The only way you are going to be able to stop this behavior is if you are out there to re-direct her every time. Some have had success with a digging pit - but the real issue is why she might be doing it. Is she outside for long periods of time unsupervised? Boredom might be the culprit.

 

[allicat]

she is primarly an inside dog. goes out side to relieve herself and play. if she's out for long periods of time, i'm with her, it seems she only digs when i'm not out with her.

 

[Biff]

I agree with EHayes - always remember a tired boxer is a happy (and good) boxer!

Good luck!

 

[allicat]

we go for a two mile brisk walk every morning. i guess i'm going to have to make our walks longer.

 

[ELubas]

she is primarly an inside dog. goes out side to relieve herself and play. if she's out for long periods of time, i'm with her, it seems she only digs when i'm not out with her.

There you go... Like the others said you have to be with her to redirect her. My girl is a digger and when we put up a new fence we had them drive it down six inches. We gave her a "digging " spot which has worked well but if she is out there alone at all and she is bored she will find a new place-especially i I have just turned the earth over or if it has rained. Anyway, you need to be with her and help her find something else to do. I did find as my girls got older and with reinforcement they stopped. Good luck!

 

[allicat]

thanks all, for the advice.

 

[Murp.mm]

She's still a pup yet. Ali used to dig too but as soon as I saw her I would get her interested in something else. Like the others said it's all about exercise with a boxer. I still can't figure out why I had weight on when Ali was a pup. I walked until my feet got sore literally. Ali still likes to dig once in awhile when she gets in this silly mood. Good luck.

 

[LucNesbitt]

We had a huge problem with Moab digging in the yard, starting about 14 months of age (he's 18 months now). This was part of what we asked our behaviorist about and she suggested quite a few environmental enrichment ideas to combat bordom. Here's a few of them that we've tried:

- Suspend a sturdy tug rope from a tree branch
- Scatter treats or food in the yard for them to hunt for
- Fill a milk jug with treats for them to play with (Moab loved this one!)
- Use a child's swimming pool as either a wading pool if they like water or as a sand box. Hide treats, food (carrots, etc) or toys in the sand for them to find.

There were many more ideas, but these were the ones that seemed the easiest to implement. Moab doesn't dig any more and all we did was suspend a tug robe from a tree branch and put a few more interactive toys outside for him to play with.

 

[jimseabee]

thanks all, for the advice.

What part of Oklahoma. we are in OKC