[xxgawjuzuxx]

my 1 & a half year old border collie x husky won't stop digging, I've tried deterent sprays, his faeces in the holes, telling him "no" & then tying him - he usually only gets tied before I go to bed, spices, his been desexed, I've also filled a sandpit for him & wet it often so he can cool down in it. We had to actually rehome him about 6 months ago because of this & we rent our house - he totally ruined the yard. But we recently got him back - because he was getting out & digging at his new home on 5 acres with a dam & another dog! About 2-3 mnths ago & he behaved, not digging or getting out till about 3 weeks ago. He is a good dog & I love him so much but I'm 16 & my mum says if he keeps doing this he will have to be rehomed again.. I take him out everyday either for a walk or a ride - he runs alongside. For 2 hrs or until his tired, I take him for swims at the lake as well, I regularly play ball with him a few times a day & I've bought him toys - kongs etc.. He does sort of have an attitude problem with me but I'm working on that & trying to teach him who's boss, but he thinks I'm playing when I tell him off & barks at me & runs around. I've also tried letn him taking his digging out when we regularly take him to the beach, & I can't give him a designated digging area because we rent & the owner would not be impressed.. I would like to be able to have him inside but that isn't really an option either, though I sneek him in sometimes.
PLEASE HELPP! As if he does this again I will have to rehome him :( AGAIN...

[shazamataz]

I know it is not what you want to hear but it is unfair to keep a dog outside its whole life.
He may be better off being rehomed somewhere he can get constant love and attention inside.

For the digging you could try squares of chicken wire laid flat on the ground in areas where he digs the most.

The only other suggestion I have is sprays but you say you have already tried that.

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Mm k thanks for trying to help, but its not like I deprive him of attention & as I said.. he does come inside sometimes but most realestates & owners don't allow tenants to have dogs inside. He does get contant love & attention more than any other dogs I know. If I could have it my way I would have him inside though so I do sort of understand.

[shazamataz]

It'd hard to have dogs when you are renting.

I refused to rent a house simply beause I couldn't find a place that would allow me to keep my dogs there.

I know he would get love and attention from you but honestly, how long to do you spend with him each day?

My dogs are with me 16 hours a day, every day.
When we are home, our back door is always open but they only ever go outside to go to there toilet, they would rather be with us.

As for the designated diggin area... try getting a large plastic tub or making a wooden box to fill with dirt or sand...
If he is one of those dogs that will just keep digging no matter what you do it may be your only option...

If he is reluctant to use it and keeps digging the garden, hide some treats in the dirt like dog biscuits.

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Yeah it is hard but I don't really have a choice his with me about 10 - 12 hrs a day he loves my company but also likes to go off on his own && loves being outside - his a border collie. He has a plastic tub filled with sand that I water everyday so its cool, he does use it but not that much obviously because of the digging but ill try the idea with the treats in it (: thanks. I don't understand why his digging though because for 2 mnths we had him back he didn't dig & that's when I spent less time with him..

[Sariss]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say he is bored. Border Collies are one of those breeds that need a job to do, or else they get bored and become destructive quickly. A lot of the time, things like long walks just don't cut it. Maybe consider teaching him agility or flyball, or something along those lines?

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Thanks (: do you know how I can get into that? He loves running & jumping ; I make jumps for him. I'm guessing I buy the stuff & try teaching him at home first?

[Sariss]

Sure! You don't have to even really get into groups, but you can search online to see if there are any in your area. You could do it all at home though, here's a handy link for building an agility course:
Dog Exercise Equipment

[Just Dahlia]

Shaz,
Would the backpack thing work in this situation? Or is that a different breed?:confused:

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Cool thank you sariss (:

[shazamataz]

Shaz,
would the backpack thing work in this situation? or is that a different breed?:confused:

Backpack thing? Sorry I'm lost...

[Just Dahlia]

Something about them wearing a doggie back pack with something weighted in in (like sand) so they feel like they are doing a job:confused: I'm sure I'm not getting it right, but I have heard of that helping with some dogs.:)

[shazamataz]

Oooh OK, I haven't heard of that, I'll do some research.

Just Dahlia agrees: Hey, stole my idea LOL!

It was a very good idea! Lol
I forgot who mentioned it otherwise I would have given you credit like I do with Catsmine and her chicken ice cubes ;)

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Here's some pics of him (:
L o u i i . x o 's ' Eli (: Photo Album - MySpace Photos

[shazamataz]

Altenweg agrees: Catsmine's a man Shaz. LMAO! Aww, poor guy.

Hahahah I did know that, I must have just had a brain fart, sorry!

[shazamataz]

heres some pics of him (:
L o u i i . x o 's ' Eli (: Photo Album - MySpace Photos

Awww he is a cutie... love the "my first hole" pic! :D

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Lol thanks that was it after it was filled in of course lol it was huge.. his doing pretty well with digging atm :) apart from putn a bone in a shallow hole bt I don't mind that & its expected.

[shazamataz]

That's great news gawjuzu! I hope he keeps it up!!

[rex123]

If I had a dollar for everyone who asked '' How to get my dog to stop digging?'' I'd be rich.

There are two reasons dor your dogs digging. One boredom. And two is easy he's part Husky, therefore its instinctual.

Huskies dig wholes because, in the colder temperature places they would dig wholes to lay in to keep warm.

Because the digging is mostly instincts. You don't want to get rid of it. You're going to actually want to do the opposite.

Teach him to dig. You may use your sandbox or get another, bring the dog over to it and say ''Dig!'' If the dog isn't understanding what you ask move the dirt around a bit with your hands that will get the dog interested in looking for himself. As soon as he digs on command praise him highly.

You can hide some treats or toys in the sandbox, or designated digging area and this will reinforce the good behaviour which is digging in the designated area, and not tearing up your lawn.

If you see him digging up the lawn bring him over to the digging spot and say dig. This will teach him'' I can't dig over there... But I can dig here.''

I've tried this with my dog Rex as he is a Siberian Husky. He never digs up our lawn anymore. And when we go to the beach he has a cool trick to show!!

Good Luck

[xxgawjuzuxx]

Thanks (: he digs when I point to the sand or show him lol & I've been taking him to his sandpit when his dug tryn 2 teach him that's where he can dig. & his been layn in his sandpit instead of where he usually digs which is good :)