Digging, Chewing, Barking
Digging
This unwanted behavior can develop at any age, but is most common in young dogs. The motivation for digging can range from entertainment to anxiety. How and where your dog digs can give us clues on what the motivation may be.
Holes are in shady areas/dog rests in holes after digging: Your pet needs a cooler environment. Provide shade, dog houses, kiddie pool filled with water, or bring them inside on warm days.
Holes are deep, follow an underground pattern: There may be wildlife in your backyard and your pet is hunting. You need to rid your yard of wildlife.
Holes contain objects: Your pet is exhibiting the basic behavior of burying their possessions! Either don’t give them items to bury or provide them an acceptable location to bury and confine your pet there when gone.
Holes are random in yard and numerous: You probably have a high energy pet (i.e. Lab) that needs an appropriate outlet. Increase activity and exercise, provide abundant chew toys.
Holes are at the perimeter of their boundary: Your pet is trying to escape your yard. Identify the motivation (i.e other pets, people) and avoid those triggers and neuter your pet.
Chewing
Fortunately, this behavior is usually limited to puppyhood and the behavior diminishes as pet ages. Unfortunately, it is also a behavior that can cause detriment to your pet. They can chew on electrical cords and get electrocuted or swallow objects and possibly need surgery.
First, always provide safe objects for your pet to chew on: rawhides, plush toys (as long as you don’t let them swallow the stuffing!), etc. Try not to offer old socks or shoes as your pet can not ascertain what is new versus old. Always crate or isolate your puppy when you are gone.
If you see your pet chewing on an unwanted object, startle them, remove the object, and offer them an alternative. As always, the more your pet exercises, the less likely they will have the energy
to be destructive.
Barking
This is a hard behavior to minimize in your pet. Barking is their way of communicating. Sometimes, removing the stimulus of barking (other dogs, aggressive play) is all that is needed. But if your pet is barking at another
outside dog while they are outside, it is not that simple. Of course, we want our dogs to bark if someone is breaking into the house or someone is at the door. It can be very difficult for your pet to know when to bark and when not to bark.
Never reward your pet for barking during times it is not needed. For example, giving your pet more attention, even when it is negative attention, will reward your dog. It is best to ignore the pet completely, or move them to a place where the stimulus is removed. Reward your pet after they have stopped barking.
Bark collars can be beneficial if used cautiously. Always try a citronella bark collar before resorting to the shock collars. These collars will emit a citrus smell that pets find offensive. If a shock collar is needed, always test it on yourself first-the lower settings are usually effective.
Tags: barking, chewing, digging