Labrador Retrievers- Stop Them From Digging by Richard Cussons

Labrador Retrievers are intelligent and extremely active dogs. With these characteristics, leaving them alone will surely bore and cause them to think of doing other activities such as chewing, barking and digging. Yes, boredom is one of the reasons why a dog tends to dig holes wherever he pleases. This behavior can be very frustrating especially to dog owners who spend so much time and effort keeping the front lawn clean and beautiful. But don't blame it on boredom alone. There are other reasons to this predicament.

Dogs dig to hide something. For them, burying food could keep it safe from others. Their natural instinct for dens is another reason why dogs dig. They consider the holes they dug as their shelter to cool themselves down or warm themselves up. If your dog is digging under the fence, it is just an indication that your dog wants to go out to search for a mate.

One solution to this problem is to provide various activities and exercise to stimulate him physically and mentally. Labrador Retrievers will surely enjoy retrieving balls and other activities such as agility, frisbee and flyball. If your pet digs to bury food, limit his access to scraps of food and bones. This will somehow refrain him from digging often since he has nothing to bury in the first place. Another way to lessen digging in inappropriate places is to emphasize and make it clear to him where he can and cannot dig. Bury his favorite toy or treat in spots where you want him to dig. If you see him digging in the wrong place, reprimand him and teach him the correct spot. But always remember to correct him every time your dog starts digging holes, not when he the digging is already done. If he continues digging in the wrong place, you may want to bury chicken wire under the surface of that area. Your dog won't like the feeling of his paws scraping along the wire. You can also try mixing chili powder and water and wet the area you do not want him to dig. If you won't be around to supervise your dog, place him in a kennel or crate. This will refrain him from doing things you do not want behind your back.

If the reason of digging is to cool down or to warm up, provide him the warmth or coolness depending on the season. Provide warm and comfortable shelter during cold season or warm and shaded area during summer.

About The Author

Richard Cussons has written various articles about dogs including Labrador Retrievers. Find Labrador training tips at http://labradorsavvy.com for your dose of valuable dog training techniques.