Persistent Digger !!!

[sampson11]

I have a 10 month old boxer who wont stop digging or eating plants, we have tried EVERYTHING. Boundry granuals, chili power, feces and nothing works, he still digs up plants and around trees. The odd thing is he has my 3 year old boxer to play with and numerous toys in the backyard where they stay most of the day so i dont see how he can be bored. Can anyone provide any other suggestions? He is well behaved in all other aspects except this one.

Also, at the moment a sand pit is not an option since we are staying at my parents house

 

[ehayes21]

Don't give him the opportunity - unfortunately this means you are going to have to stop letting him out there unattended or he will not stop. Boxers are notorious for making fun for themselves and this often includes gardening.

 

[kproducer]

Have you tried this?
Not a physical mean thing at all. You would have to take some time and "spy" on your pooch.
When your pooch starts to dig, grab an empty coffee can or something and fill it with small rocks, dry beans, jelly beans, whatever is hard and then shake it so it make a really loud sound. As soon as pooch looks up, hide it and yourself if possible. Any noise maker (that doesn't hurt their ears but startles them). Or, you could use a squirt gun. Again, hide it, but as soon as the digging starts, give pooch a little squirt. It can take them by surprise! Then again, a lot of dogs love squirt guns and hoses for that matter. Then, they have to pee cuz they are busy playing with the water and drinking it! So maybe not that one.
Good luck!

 

[ELubas]

Both my girls were diggers. I did give them a spot under a shrub to "dig" so that has saved the rest of the yard But oversight is the only way to avoid them defoliating everything-teach "drop it" or "leave it" to help -it is a handy command for them to know anyway. And some plants are poisonous so be careful

 

[Poetic_thing]

I've never had any issues with diggers because I never let them outside alone - ever - until they knew what was their's and what was mine (now that did take some doing). When they started to dig, they were told uh-uh and redirected. As for plants "leave it" worked nicely. Without constant supervision they will never stop or learn that it is an unwanted behaviour from you. Good luck.