A Storm update:
The little dude is just over four months old now, weighs in at just under 30 pounds, and has the house training thing down pat (accident free for three weeks, pardon me while I knock on wood.)
All in all, we couldn't be more pleased with our little Stormy. He's a happy, playful puppy who has started to become a cuddler. Last week he climed up in a chair with my husband, snuggled in and took a nap. Over the weekend, he curled up on a pillow next to Coral and they blissfully snoozed together.
He patiently waits for his food, sits on command most of the time, and has mastered "stay" as much as I think I can expect for a little guy his age. We are still working on leash-walking. He starts out walking right beside us, but gets overstimulated and starts getting spastic as we get close to home.
We just have to keep at it.
Our only problem is finding a way to channel his inner terrier: He dug himself some rather deep holes in two spots in the backyard.
You may remember I blogged about the sunny Saturday morning that followed a Friday night of soaking rain when he went digging in a mud pit under our deck stairs. We followed advice from readers and planted some poo in the hole and he has indeed lost interest in that spot.
And we could do that again with these holes, but I think that only cures the symptom, not the behavior. And how many piles of poo do I realistically want to bury in our yard?
So I am seeking advice. The only thing I think I can do is watch him constantly while he's in the yard and correct him when he starts his excavation. But I don't know if that will really stop a behavior that I believe is his instinct to do. I cannot stop my greyhounds from running, and I would not even try.
But sprinting across the yard is quite different than making craters that could cause someone, a strolling person or a running dog, to get hurt. And if he starts burrowing under the fence, we have another serious issue.
Anyone out there been able to break a pooch's digging habit?
Comments
[August 5, 2008 2:55 PM]
Heather FroeschlMaybe get him a sandbox and train him to only dig in there? You'd likely replace more sand than a parent of an average 3 year old. It probably is deep in his nature and who can challenge that? I'm glad to see a picture of him! He has grown into a handsome young man and those eyes! Sweet!
[August 5, 2008 8:49 PM]
DeborahI always love the updates on Storm!!! He is so precious!! My dog who is now a little over a year and a half old is still digging holes. I have tried almost everything but nothing has worked. I have a friend in Florida who has many dogs...some of them are Jack Russell Terriers and they dig lots of holes. She has solved the problem with the sandbox. I hope it will work for you.
[August 6, 2008 7:57 PM]
KimIf you find out what works let us know! I have the same problem with my terrier but she seems to do it in phases. I like the sandbox idea. Maybe you could bury some toys in it so that he finds a "prize" when he digs in that one spot.