How do I stop a German shepherd from digging up the yard?
by
Chris
+6
She is digging holes everywhere including the mulch area on the edges. She has torn up the weed barrier under the mulch. She has dug under a huge tree and all over the yard there are holes. We tried putting down various spices and hot pepper flakes but she ate them, then dug more.
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Dogs will dig, you know that. I have 15. I have a section of yard that they like laying in and digging. It has sand and in some shade. Also spring and fall they will dig around the yard because of the moles. Then there are the large larvae that they love snacking on that they dig up. SO I will have holes and divets. Nothing really to do but bear with since they "feel" with their paws the motion in the ground under them and dig for it. Walking around with them and using a squirt bottle of water or mix quarter with vinegar and spray when digging may help train not to. Sorry couldn't be much help.
Shepherds are natural diggers. If they smell a critter, they will dig to get to it. Try spraying with full strength hot sauce, the hotter the better, where she digs the most and see if that helps. They use their scent of smell very well, that is why they are so good for the police and other agencies to use to scent out drugs, etc., even smell a seizure before a person has the seizure(service dog).
That's what dogs do, I'm afraid. Could she be bored?
You need to train your dog. It is their instinct to dig. I have 6 dogs, all have been trained. Not hard to do. Positive reinforcemennt works best, never be mean. All dogs need to be trained, no matter how little or large, and need to be properly socialized. It is not the dogs fault for bad behavior, it is the owners responsibility. Dogs just want to please you and all they want in return is love and affection. If they are properly exercised every day, long walks, they are less likely to get bored and dig. Here are some links to help you out.
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/obsessive-behavior/getting-a-dog-to-stop-digging
https://m.wikihow.pet/Stop-a-Dog-from-Digging
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/digging.html?credit=web
Jalapeno peppers put in small holes work for moles - worth a try?
You can put the dog on a runner with the main cable up high. You can put "stops" on the cable that only allow the dog to go so far. Then, either permit the dog to dig where he can reach OR give him a sand pit to play in. You can train him to dig in the sand pit by burying treats and toys only in there.
If you get a anwer to that let me know I have Greyhounds they dig to China I used black pepper no sprays no list go on
The dog's bored. Shepherds are herders. I walk early in the morning with a light dog pack several miles and take my dog to the dog park in the evenings. The park has an obstacle course and she works that. Never had a problem. A dog park is great for someone who can't work their dog as I do.
Somewhere, a long time ago I read that you should bury some blown balloons, carefully, in the area where the dog likes to dig. When she digs it will blow up in her face. No harm to the dog. Cheap solution and it might work.