 LET'S GET IT OUT THERE ... SOME DOGS DIG - FACT! It's one of the most natural behaviours a dog can display, sometimes without any encouragement. So fighting such a raw behaviour can be futile. WHY DO THEY DIG? There's a number of reasons, here are a few of the most common:
Reprimanding your dog or chastising them when they dig or after the event, will only serve to create mistrust and avoidance in future. It won't stop them digging. TIME TO THINK CREATIVELY
One of the most commons reasons dogs dig is due to boredom. So in this case why would you want to stop them digging if it helps release some energy, frustration and stress? Why not encourage it? Yes you heard me right, encourage it. Now I'm not saying you need to train your dog to be an avalanche search and rescue dog (although I'm sure they'd love the job opportunity). I'm talking about giving them a designated digging area in your outside space, which is even more desirable and fun that the rest of your garden. We do it for children so why not dogs? You could use a kids plastic sandpit or perhaps a large wooden planter. The deeper the better. Fill it will sand and encourage your dog to dig in it by burying food, bones or a toy. To begin with you may have to show them what to do but more often than not they get the idea. If you've told them off in the past for digging, they may be hesitant about doing it in front of you. I often see dogs completely confused by their owners sudden enthusiasm for them to dig but with this positive encouragement they soon take up the challenge and enjoy the interaction with their owner. If you want to make it more tricky for your dog to find something buried in the sand why not take a small cardboard box or two, put some smelly food in it and tape it up. Bury it under the sand for them to find and then they have to work out how to get the food. They may need your assistance initially. This is one of the most fun games you can play with your dog and it uses both their brains and bodies. 10-15 minutes of digging games can even replace a walk if necessary. Try it with your dog, you may find it's the best way to save your lawn and plants if your dog is frustrated and bored.  If we learnt more about how to communicate in 'dog language' rather than expecting them to understand human language, then surely we'd all have more social and well mannered dogs? If we learnt more about how to communicate in 'dog language' rather than expecting them to understand human language, then surely we'd all have more social and well mannered dogs?
DOGS DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH (or any other human language) Studies at the University of Arizona have found that humans speak on average, over 16,000 words in a single day. It’s understandable that dogs are simply overwhelmed by the cacophony of sound coming from our mouths every day. Perhaps this is why so many owners tell me their dog has 'selective hearing' or 'deaf ears'. THE SILENT TREATMENT I urge you to take a moment and to just sit with your dog without saying a word. I can assure you that you are still communicating with your dog but in a very different way, through body language. Are you relaxed, excited, frustrated or angry? Is your dog’s demeanor influenced or can you influence it, by your mood? In future, keep in mind what your body language says when you speak to your dog, as it can have a profound effect on the response. YOUR WISH IS MY COMMAND Telling a dog what to do by saying a command word, when it has no clue what that is, must be very frustrating to a dog. Just because you say a word like 'stay' doesn't mean it miraculously understands what it is you are asking it to do. Imagine walking into a room with no clue what is expected of you, the only way of knowing you’ve done the right thing is someone saying “Good Dog”. For example, I see people say the ‘stay command’ over and over again and then get upset with the dog when it breaks the stay. There's several reasons for this;
HOW CAN YOU COMMUNICATE MORE POSITIVELY WITH YOUR DOG? It's simple, become aware of what your body language is portraying. Use attention and affection as your primary reward (within 2 seconds of the desired behaviour) and most importantly, always show your dog what it is you want them to do by guiding them step-by-step through the process first before using a command signal or word. This ensures they understand every actionable element of the 'command'. Only then can you apply a ‘word command’. Less is truly more!  It's natural for many species to have a home, den or nest in their territory. It serves as a safe place to retreat to when feeling under threat or wishing to relax. So even with pet dogs, it is critical that they have a safe place of their own to retreat when they feel insecure. An indoor crate is the perfect solution. This is particularly important for anxious, fearful or insecure dogs, especially rescue dogs, and puppies. Many people also find them very effective in house training a puppy/dog quickly, helping them to feel secure when travelling, or for any dog that is rehabilitating after surgery.
BUILDING A POSITIVE ASSOCIATION
If your dog at any stage seems anxious, fearful or reactive to anything, then you need to immediately guide them on lead (do not drag them by their collar) to their crate. Reward them verbally followed by a food reward if necessary. Once the ‘threat’ has passed which you have dealt with, and only when the dog is calm and relaxed, can the dog come out of the crate. This will help the dog understand that you deal with any threats and not them which is much safer for all. The 'On Your Bed' training is invaluable for any dog and something we recommend you teach them, whether using a indoor crate or any dog bed.  I often ask this question to many people that own dogs. The most common reply is usually a bought dog toy from a pet shop. Including and not limited to; soft stuffed toys, squeaky toys, tug toys and ropes, kongs and treat balls, silicone or nylon bones, balls (of various types), ball on a rope and so the list goes on.
THE DEMONSTRATION So when I show people how to play with their dogs, it often surprises them that I can get them to play with pretty much anything they choose, from your car keys to your sunglasses, to even a $10 note from your wallet. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that a dog doesn't understand where you get the toys from and that you spent half your wages on an elaborate selection of the cutest, funniest or toughest toys. For them it's all about how you play with those toys. And when I say how 'you' play with those toys, I mean just that. UNDERSTANDING PLAY DRIVE Whilst many dogs will self amuse with some toys, as they all have a desire to play, it's critical to recognise that they require interactive play as well. This can be with another dog but it is much more important for future training and obedience that most play is with its owner. Now this is not as simple as you think. Often the barrier to fun play is the owner themselves. They are often too embarrassed to act silly, excitable and playful; particularly in front of someone else. So my first task is always to teach and demonstrate to the owner just what I mean and how to engage with their dog, often using the methods that 2 dogs playing together will use;
GAME RULES
There is truly an art to playing with your dog and every dog is different in character. Different approaches are necessary for different dogs to ensure you get the best play drive and focus on you. But one thing is for sure, your genuine enthusiasm to play and reward is the key. Dogs, like children, know if you're faking it and not giving them your whole attention. Take note smart phone users! |
AuthorArticles by Estelle Leyshon, head canine trainer at Allsorts Dog Training, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand Archives
July 2017
Other Useful Topics
All
|
RSS Feed