Exercise R Us

Question:

We just adopted Skip, a 1 year old terrier mix ,and he is perfect and smart but for one thing He Digs up the back yard. I would appreciate any tips on how to stop him besides killing him. Just kidding! Thanks, Linda OKC

Response:

>We just adopted Skip, a 1 year old terrier mix ,and he is perfect and smart >but for one thing He Digs up the back yard. >I would appreciate any tips on how to stop him besides killing him. Just >kidding! >Thanks, Linda OKC

 Dear Linda,  There are many causes for digging, but perhaps the major cause is  a dog that is left in the yard without alternative stimulation.  So, what forms of stimulation does Skip have when left in the yard.  Are your there with him?  –Marshall  http://www.uwm.edu/~dermer I urge newbies to ignore Jerry Howe’s abusive, attention seeking posts and to read: http://www.sound.net/~twillis/Harlan/concerns.html

Response:

> We just adopted Skip, a 1 year old terrier mix ,and he is perfect and smart > but for one thing He Digs up the back yard. > I would appreciate any tips on how to stop him besides killing him. Just > kidding!

There are many questions still to be answered by you before anyone can determine why he’s doing this. Please be more detailed. Is he with you when he does this? Where are you when he does this? Do you live rurally , or in the suburbs or in an urban area? (It’s actually quite important, as I live in the waaaayyy rural area, and my trio doesn’t dig in the grass unless there is a gopher or other rodent present). (Is your dog digging in the grass or dirt)? Also, although mine spent a lot of time outdoors in their yard(s) when we are working around the farm, they STILL don’t dig, (unless there is a critter under the ground). And only one is a terror/mix! Don’t believe that all dogs are equal in behavior. They aren’t. They are all quite unique in some ways, and they are also different within each breed. Please be more detailed. Many here are willing to help you if you can be more explicit. Terri

Response:

>  Dear Linda, >  There are many causes for digging, but perhaps the major cause is >  a dog that is left in the yard without alternative stimulation. >  So, what forms of stimulation does Skip have when left in the yard. >  Are your there with him? >  –Marshall >  http://www.uwm.edu/~dermer

> I urge newbies to ignore Jerry Howe’s abusive, attention seeking > posts and to read:

http://www.sound.net/~twillis/Harlan/concerns.html  Hello doc, Shouldn’t be any problem…I read the book you recommended (i’m a voracious student-mum calls me a ’sponge for knowledge).  The book you reccommend says to fill the hole with water, and hold the puppies head under till he learns not to dig holes any more … The chapter on the revenge piddler was most interesting, i.e., HOWE a puppy could even think of intentionally wetting as an affront to my authority over him is absolutely amazing. Those crafty pups will have their way with us, if we are not constantly vigilant… The most striking point was HOWE if we are not consistent in responding to these intentional assaults on our leadership, that the dog will take more liberties with us and the hoodlum dog that we created is the result of our lazy work habits. That raises a question. HOWE would YOU confront the pup who had been submerged a couple of times for digging, but yet continues to dig, but has additionally begun to growl as I approach him to correct the hole digging? Would it be best, to hang the dog immediately upon growling, or should I take him to the hole, and HANG him over the hole, thus killing two birds with one stone, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. Thanks for all your wisdom Your friend, Jerry. Is it any wonder that the following sig file has generated more complaints to my personal email than any other controversial post I have made to date, bar none?:                                             caveat If you have to do things to your dog to train him, that you would rather not have to do, then you shouldn’t be doing them. If you have a dog trainer that tells you to jerk your dog around, choke him, pinch his ears, or twist his toes, shock, shake, slap, scold, hit, or punish him in any manner, that corrections are appropriate, that the dog won’t think of you as the punisher, or that corrections are not harmful, or if they can’t train your dog to do what you want, look for a trainer that knows Howe. Sincerely, Jerry Howe, Wits’ End Dog Training http://www.doggydoright.com Nature, to be mastered, must be obeyed.                       -Francis Bacon- There are terrible people who, instead of solving a problem, bungle it and make it more difficult for all who come after.  Who ever can’t hit the nail on the head should, please, not hit at all.                      -Nietzsche- The abilities to think, rationalize and solve problems are learned qualities. The Wits’ End Dog Training Method challenges the learning centers in the dogs brain. These centers, once challenged, develop and continue to grow exponentially, to make him smarter. The Wits’ End Dog Training method capitalizes on praising split seconds of canine thought, strategy, and timing, not mindless hours of forced repetition, constant corrections, and scolding.                   -Jerry Howe-

Response:

Oh yes we’re there for him. I just got a part time job and am only away for 3 hours and it’s mostly in those 3 hours that he does this. We have plenty of chew things but I’m wondering if he needs more for those 3 hours. He seems to have mega excess energy. Linda

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->  Dear Linda, >  There are many causes for digging, but perhaps the major cause is >  a dog that is left in the yard without alternative stimulation. >  So, what forms of stimulation does Skip have when left in the > yard. >  Are your there with him? >  –Marshall >  http://www.uwm.edu/~dermer > I urge newbies to ignore Jerry Howe’s abusive, attention seeking > posts and to read: > http://www.sound.net/~twillis/Harlan/concerns.html >  Hello doc, > Shouldn’t be any problem…I read the book you recommended (i’m a > voracious student-mum calls me a ’sponge for knowledge).  The book > you reccommend says to fill the hole with water, and hold the puppies > head under till he learns not to dig holes any more … > The chapter on the revenge piddler was most interesting, i.e., HOWE a > puppy could even think of intentionally wetting as an affront to my > authority over him is absolutely amazing. Those crafty pups will have > their way with us, if we are not constantly vigilant… > The most striking point was HOWE if we are not consistent in > responding to these intentional assaults on our leadership, that the > dog will take more liberties with us and the hoodlum dog that we > created is the result of our lazy work habits. > That raises a question. HOWE would YOU confront the pup who had been > submerged a couple of times for digging, but yet continues to dig, > but has additionally begun to growl as I approach him to correct the > hole digging? > Would it be best, to hang the dog immediately upon growling, or > should I take him to the hole, and HANG him over the hole, thus > killing two birds with one stone, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. > Thanks for all your wisdom > Your friend, Jerry. > Is it any wonder that the following sig file has generated more > complaints to my personal email than any other controversial > post I have made to date, bar none?: >                                             caveat > If you have to do things to your dog to train him, that you would > rather not have to do, then you shouldn’t be doing them. If you > have a dog trainer that tells you to jerk your dog around, choke > him, pinch his ears, or twist his toes, shock, shake, slap, scold, > hit, or punish him in any manner, that corrections are > appropriate, that the dog won’t think of you as the punisher, > or that corrections are not harmful, or if they can’t train your > dog to do what you want, look for a trainer that knows Howe. > Sincerely, > Jerry Howe, > Wits’ End Dog Training > http://www.doggydoright.com > Nature, to be mastered, must be obeyed. >                       -Francis Bacon- > There are terrible people who, instead of solving a problem, > bungle it and make it more difficult for all who come after.  Who > ever can’t hit the nail on the head should, please, not hit at all. >                      -Nietzsche- > The abilities to think, rationalize and solve problems are learned > qualities. > The Wits’ End Dog Training Method challenges the learning > centers in the dogs brain. These centers, once challenged, > develop and continue to grow exponentially, to make him smarter. > The Wits’ End Dog Training method capitalizes on praising split > seconds of canine thought, strategy, and timing, not mindless > hours of forced repetition, constant corrections, and scolding. >                   -Jerry Howe-

Response:

> Also, although mine spent a lot of time outdoors in their > yard(s) when we are working around the farm, they STILL don’t dig, > (unless there is a critter under the ground). And only one is a > terror/mix! > Don’t believe that all dogs are equal in behavior. They aren’t. > They are all quite unique in some ways, and they are also different > within each breed. > Terri

    Yup different dogs dig for different reasons.     Rudy will dig on command. I chose to channel it, before it ever became an issue. He helps me dig holes for my rosebushes, and other flowers. <G>     Ceilidh digs to make these huge cauldrons out in the yard, and leaves sticks pointing out of them. These, I believe to be her stirrers. She is making up magic potions out of all the poop she can find out there. (PS….I think she taste tests these potions too.) MaryBeth

Response:

Using this technique is the easiest and fastest way to break any behavior. There are a number of things that have to be considered  before beginning this approach. A few preliminary exercises in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available at: http://www.doggydoright.com will explain the basic handling techniques you should learn. Using them will insure that the method will work to a high degree of proficiency. The problem is that not many people understand how to use the sound distraction and praise techniques correctly. When you are told that it has been tried and didn’t work, rest assured that whomever "tried" it and for whom it  did not work, did not "try" doing it correctly. I often hear the "experts" here saying they’ve tried it, and it didn’t work for them, or it made their dog nervous. There are people that do not follow directions and get lousy results, and there are people that do not allow the technique adequate repetition to be successful. Those problems will occur if the technique is not done precisely. There is no excuse that these techniques will not work if done correctly, they are a scientific fact. Any sound will suffice. Ideally, the sound would be the same each time, but that is not always possible. A single clap of the hands or snap of the fingers would do if it were followed by praise, and as long as it does not happen twice in succession from the same point of origin. That’s why several cans are required, to alternate the direction of origin of the sound. You cannot use the same can for two occasions from the same point of origin in succession. The sound must always be accompanied with praise. The sound must never occur from the same point of origin twice in succession. The sound must be brief. The praise must continue constantly for several seconds following the sound to allow the thought process to be completed. The behavior must be allowed or made to be repeated and interrupted again using sound and praise until the behavior is broken. And most importantly, the moment the dog thinks of resuming the behavior, you must praise him. That’s right. When the dog thinks about resuming the behavior, if you praise him at that exact moment, the previous corrections will be restimulated in the dogs mind, and the behavior will be extinguished. That seems to be the real hard part for the trainers here to understand. They want to MAKE it happen, and they interfere with the dog’s thought process. The dog will learn through the process of elimination of alternative actions or behaviors. It takes a few minutes, and the behavior is eliminated, rather than repressed and seething to resume. The trainer will confound his efforts when they insist on telling the dog NO!, instead of relying on the conditioning that has been established. Shouting at the dog will often trigger the opposite of the desired effect. What further complicates the process for the trainer, is that they break the conditioning when they respond with a different corrective technique out of a reflexive reaction of their own, such as screaming No!, or reaching out to grab the dog and physically correcting the dog for a further instance of malbehavior, rather than taking the moment to think about the best way to address the problem, and if necessary search for a can and follow through with the appropriate sound and praise. The process must be carried out using an alternate source of sound for the next interruption. An associate could be enlisted and instructed to clap their hands on signal to accomplish the desired sound interruption. We want the dog to exhaust all of the alternative malbehaviors he can pull out of his bag of tricks, in order for us to extinguish them each in turn. Any time we interact in a behavior by telling the dog no, or physically restrain or correct him, we are becoming part of the behavior, either as a player or competitor in the dogs mischief. Using sound as a distraction must always be followed by immediate, prolonged, non physical praise. Interrupting a behavior with sound should never be associated with us, as in voicing no, or telling the dog to stop it. The behavior should not be distracted with any intervention. We want the behavior to begin again, so that we may have another opportunity to properly address the behavior with another sound and praise. That way, we can completely end a problem while the dog is thinking about it, and we are prepared to address the issue before it becomes out of control. The sound must never occur twice in a row from the same direction. In other words, if you snapped your fingers in front of the dog to stop him from chewing on your shoelace, you’d praise him for five to fifteen seconds immediately upon snapping your fingers. The behavior will hopefully resume, and the next sound of the snap of your fingers must come from behind the dog, or even from a friend assisting from across the room, from a soda can with a few pennies in it, or any source of sound (except our voice!), followed by prolonged non physical praise, until the dog is no longer thinking about the behavior or resumes it. The third interruption of the behavior usually gets the message across, and the dog will think about the behavior for just a moment before engaging in it once again for the fourth and last time… That split second thinking about engaging in the behavior requires praise. Do not react to it with a challenge of shouting no, or physically removing the temptation. That moment of thinking about resuming the behavior and the praise it earns him will validate the prior interruptions of that behavior. The dog then needs to test it out, to be sure that the same behavior will be dealt with in exactly the same manner. They will usually make a fourth attempt at the behavior, and if you follow through appropriately, he will learn not to do that behavior anymore. But only on the one shoelace! He must take that behavior to other instances to fully eliminate the desire for the behavior. The behavior will not be completely broken until he has taken the process of elimination to the second, third, and fourth opportunity to explore that behavior. And, even at that, you may need to repeat the process in four completely different places. That means that the worst behavior may need up to sixty-four properly timed interruptions and praise. Usually it happens much quicker than that. Breaking a behavior in this manner reduces stress, takes us out of the position of negative enforcer or competitor or playmate, and allows the dog to extinguish a behavior because he simply doesn’t get any satisfaction from it. The other secret is giving the dog a payoff for every time they look at you. Each time you notice eye contact from your dog, you must praise him verbally, to prevent his idle mind from doing the devils work. SEPARATION ANXIETY Here’s how to deal with the separation anxiety. This usually works, you will have to use it for at least four occasions before it will become effective:  Say good bye to your dog in the usual manner, then make a big fuss over saying good bye to an article, a bone or toy you intend to leave with the dog. Tell it to be a good toy or whatever, and that you’ll be back, and for it to have a nice day while you are gone. Put it down, and do not look at or speak to the pup as you leave. The first thing upon returning, do not speak to the dog, search for the article, pick it up and give it a big hello, saying how pleased you are that it had a good time and behaved so well while you were gone. Make a big fuss over it. Then turn to your dog and tell your pup that he has been good, too, NO MATTER WHAT HE HAS DONE, and be brief with his greeting. After a few occasions of doing this, the pup may learn to bond with and try to emulate the toy’s good behavior to get the big greeting. Never acknowledge any damage he may have done. Do not scold or remark to him about any damage or mess he has made. Clean it up without him being present. When he comes back and looks at what you’ve cleaned up, tell him he’s good, instead of mentioning all of the extra work he caused you. That will break some of the stress that he may feel about having been alone, and you won’t be teaching him howe to push your buttons. Here’s what to do about damage or accidents when you were out. Place in a convenient location, an empty soda can with six pennies in it, and crush it square so it will not roll.When you come into the room and see the mess, ignore it and continue about your business. You must be casual about this, or the dog will get wise to you. With the dog in the room, surreptitiously pick up the can and casually walk past the mess and ask what’s that, as you drop the can next to whatever damage or mess he’s done. Say nothing else and don’t break stride as you do this. Continue with other business until you put the dog out so you may clean up the mess and retrieve the can without him seeing you cuss under your breath at him. When he returns, he will look at the spot and look over at you. You are going to tell him he’s a good boy, and sound like you really mean it. That will blow his mind, and if he were doing that mistake as an attention getting device, he will realize that it isn’t working and he will search for other behaviors to get you to perform for him. This technique may work right away, or it may require a couple of instances. Stick with the method, even if it takes a few days before it shows some results.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Oh yes we’re there for him. I just got a part time job and am only away for > 3 hours and it’s mostly in those 3 hours that he does this. We have plenty > of chew things but I’m wondering if he needs more for those 3 hours. He > seems to have mega excess energy. Linda > >  Dear Linda, > >  There are many causes for digging, but perhaps the major cause is > >  a dog that is left in the yard without alternative stimulation. > >  So, what forms of stimulation does Skip have when left in the > yard. > >  Are your there with him? > >  –Marshall > >  http://www.uwm.edu/~dermer

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> > I urge newbies to ignore Jerry Howe’s abusive, attention seeking > > posts and to read: > http://www.sound.net/~twillis/Harlan/concerns.html >  Hello doc, > Shouldn’t be any problem…I read the book you recommended (i’m a > voracious student-mum calls me a ’sponge for knowledge).  The book > you reccommend says to fill the hole with water, and hold the puppies > head under till he learns not to dig holes any more … > The chapter on the revenge piddler was most interesting, i.e., HOWE a > puppy could even think of intentionally wetting as an affront to my > authority over him is absolutely amazing. Those crafty pups will have > their way with us, if we are not constantly vigilant… > The most striking point was HOWE if we are not consistent in > responding to these intentional assaults on our leadership, that the > dog will take more liberties with us and the hoodlum dog that we > created is the result of our lazy work habits. > That raises a question. HOWE would YOU confront the pup who had been > submerged a couple of times for digging, but yet continues to dig, > but has additionally begun to growl as I approach him to correct the > hole digging? > Would it be best, to hang the dog immediately upon growling, or > should I take him to the hole, and HANG him over the hole, thus > killing two birds with one stone, IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. > Thanks for all your wisdom > Your friend, Jerry. > Is it any wonder that the following sig file has generated more > complaints to my personal email than any other controversial > post I have made to date, bar none?: >                                             caveat > If you have to do things to your dog to train him, that you would > rather not have to do, then you shouldn’t be doing them. If you > have a dog trainer that tells you to jerk your dog around, choke > him, pinch his ears, or twist his toes, shock, shake, slap, scold, > hit, or punish him in any manner, that corrections are > appropriate, that the dog won’t think of you as the punisher, > or that corrections are not harmful, or if they can’t train your > dog to do what you want, look for a trainer that knows Howe. > Sincerely, > Jerry Howe, > Wits’ End Dog Training > http://www.doggydoright.com > Nature, to be mastered, must be obeyed. >                       -Francis Bacon- > There are terrible people who, instead of solving a problem, > bungle it and make it more difficult for all who come after.  Who > ever can’t hit the nail on the head should, please, not hit at all. >                      -Nietzsche- > The abilities to think, rationalize and solve problems are learned > qualities. > The Wits’ End Dog Training Method challenges the learning > centers in the dogs brain. These centers, once challenged, > develop and continue to grow exponentially, to make him smarter. > The Wits’ End Dog Training method capitalizes on praising split > seconds of canine thought, strategy, and timing, not mindless > hours of forced repetition, constant corrections, and scolding. >                   -Jerry Howe-

Hello Linda, You can easily break the behavior using the sound distraction and praise and separation anxiety techniques I’ll post them separately They will teach you what you need to do to control the behavior either when you observe it happening, or even after you discover the damage has been done. You’ve got to be very subtle about it, don’t let them know it disturbs you, or it will get worse… You can find all the information you need to properly handle and train your dogs without fear, force, confrontation, or punishment in the Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual available for free at http://www.doggydoright.com

Response:

Hi, I’ve been lurking here for a while and couldn’t resist answering this one.  If you divert your dog’s digging slightly and have him aim for Australia, he could meet one of my two halfway and they could play for a while before coming home:) Just one more way to meet new friends. Meg

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We just adopted Skip, a 1 year old terrier mix ,and he is perfect and smart > but for one thing He Digs up the back yard. > I would appreciate any tips on how to stop him besides killing him. Just > kidding! > Thanks, Linda OKC

Response:

>Oh yes we’re there for him. I just got a part time job and am only away for >3 hours and it’s mostly in those 3 hours that he does this. We have plenty >of chew things but I’m wondering if he needs more for those 3 hours. He >seems to have mega excess energy. Linda

Hi Linda, Well, you are not there when he is digging! It sounds like your dog is bored (see the material on digging I had posted about a year ago below). How about giving him much aerobic exercise before you leave him in the yard (see below)? And if that fails, why not just keep him in your house?  The importance of studying environment/behavior relations, is not my  personal view. Perhaps, if you have time you might want to review _Clinical  Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals_ published by Mosby Press, 1997 which  was written by Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Diplomate, American College  of Veternary Behavior.  I hope Dr.Overall, who holds a professorship in the Department of  Clincal Studies of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University  of Pennsylvania, is expert enough for you.    As I recall there was a post about a dog who dug "too much." On pages  263-265, Overall discusses digging. She notes five causes of digging:  to mark/scrape an elimination area, to bury somthing, to uncover something,  to thermoregulate, to play with something that plays back e.g., soil,  roots, stones.  She then discusses each cause of digging in detail. Here is what  she wrote about play:  "Dogs that dig as a form of self-play, quickly learn that roots   and soil play back. This is a formula for gardening disaster. The   only remedy for this involves constant supervision so that the   client can stop the dog as the digging begins, and active play   should be increased. When dogs amuse themselves like this,   they are not communicating that they would like to be   penned in a cement and chain-link fence kennel; rather,   they are communicating that they can stimulate themselves but   need aerobic play with people or objects that play back. Clients   need to be helped to meet these pets’ needs. More confinement   will not suffice.   There is a learning component for any behavior, including digging. It is   possible that the longer any digging in any of the above categories   continues, the worse it will become.  The dog learns, and the behavior   will become self-reinforcing.  The occasional dog digs constantly in the   absence of any of the above correlates. This digging is qualitatively and   quantitatively different from the above descriptions. These dogs require   few or no stimuli and dig in a focused, invariant pattern. As with   most management-related  behaviors, this form of digging may be a form   of an anxiety or OCD. It usually does not respond to the above "quick"   management solutions, although they should be implemented, but can   respond to behavioral and pharmalogical treatment for anxiety or   OCD.   Please ignore any advice about filling a hole that the dog has   dug with water and then submerging the dog’s head in the water   (Koehler, 1962). Such advice is barbaric, inhumane, potentially   injurious to both client and dog, and wrong." Please let us know what you try and how it works. –Marshall        Marshall Lev Dermer/ Department of Psychology/ University of                      http://www.uwm.edu/~dermer         "Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation,          and is thus a source of civilized delight."  – William Safire I urge newbies to ignore Jerry Howe’s abusive, attention seeking posts and to read: http://www.sound.net/~twillis/Harlan/concerns.html

Response:

Hello doc, I’ve spoken with Dr. Overall myself. I’ve got nothing to criticize about her so far as I am familiar, quite unlike yourself… You did say Dr. Overall is an unimpeachable source. Here’s her opinion of koehler: Please ignore any advice about filling a hole that the dog has dug with water and then submerging the dog’s head in the water (Koehler, 1962). Such advice is barbaric, inhumane, potentially injurious to both client and dog, and wrong." Or did I misread? Was that Karen or you? I sometimes get confused, and I don’t want to make any mistakes… we’re dealing with such important matters as dog’s lives and people’s REPUTATIONS… I wouldn’t want to irresponsibly criticize or inappropriately malign ANYONE… Ever. YOU recently endorsed wm koehlers books… For many years I’ve been rehabilitating trainers and handlers who have ruined their dogs according to koehler. He’s a monster. He desensitizes the reader incrementally, building a theory of the dog’s intent to willfully disobey as a direct affront to the handler’s authority. The increasing violence he teaches breaks dog’s spirits or causes them to turn on their vicious handlers or other weaker members of their families…. MILLIONS of dogs are DESTROYED as a result of such abusive training methods. He instructs that if you are not severe enough with corrections, that the dog will disrespect you and become a hoodlum. The reward for aggression is HANGING. The instructions say to suspend the dog in the air until his eyes roll back in his head, his tongue turns thick and blue and falls out the side of his mouth, and when you put him back on the ground he should stagger a couple of steps and PUKE… Remember endorsing him about three weeks ago? You’ve been familiar with many koehler trainers here on rpdb… It seems there is a preponderance of koehler trainers here. I could name them but the list is too long. They can frequently be identified by their sig file warning people about ME. Let’s talk about revenge piddlers… Know HOWE koehler deals with that? Do you even know what a revenge piddler is? I’ll tell you what a "revenge piddler" is, in another thread… Let’s talk about HANGING DOGS to rehabilitate them, doc. That’s all in the book you recommended… Let’s talk, doc. Jerry.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Oh yes we’re there for him. I just got a part time job and am only away for >3 hours and it’s mostly in those 3 hours that he does this. We have plenty >of chew things but I’m wondering if he needs more for those 3 hours. He >seems to have mega excess energy. Linda > Hi Linda, > Well, you are not there when he is digging! > It sounds like your dog is bored (see the material on digging I had posted > about a year ago below). How about giving him much aerobic exercise before > you leave him in the yard (see below)? And if that fails, why not just keep > him in your house? >  The importance of studying environment/behavior relations, is not my >  personal view. Perhaps, if you have time you might want to review _Clinical >  Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals_ published by Mosby Press, 1997 which >  was written by Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, Diplomate, American College >  of Veternary Behavior. >  I hope Dr.Overall, who holds a professorship in the Department of >  Clincal Studies of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University >  of Pennsylvania, is expert enough for you. >  As I recall there was a post about a dog who dug "too much." On pages >  263-265, Overall discusses digging. She notes five causes of digging: >  to mark/scrape an elimination area, to bury somthing, to uncover something, >  to thermoregulate, to play with something that plays back e.g., soil, >  roots, stones. >  She then discusses each cause of digging in detail. Here is what >  she wrote about play: >  "Dogs that dig as a form of self-play, quickly learn that roots >   and soil play back. This is a formula for gardening disaster. The >   only remedy for this involves constant supervision so that the >   client can stop the dog as the digging begins, and active play >   should be increased. When dogs amuse themselves like this, >   they are not communicating that they would like to be >   penned in a cement and chain-link fence kennel; rather, >   they are communicating that they can stimulate themselves but >   need aerobic play with people or objects that play back. Clients >   need to be helped to meet these pets’ needs. More confinement >   will not suffice. >   There is a learning component for any behavior, including digging. It is >   possible that the longer any digging in any of the above categories >   continues, the worse it will become.  The dog learns, and the behavior >   will become self-reinforcing.  The occasional dog digs constantly in the >   absence of any of the above correlates. This digging is qualitatively and >   quantitatively different from the above descriptions. These dogs require >   few or no stimuli and dig in a focused, invariant pattern. As with >   most management-related  behaviors, this form of digging may be a form >   of an anxiety or OCD. It usually does not respond to the above "quick" >   management solutions, although they should be implemented, but can >   respond to behavioral and pharmalogical treatment for anxiety or >   OCD. >   Please ignore any advice about filling a hole that the dog has >   dug with water and then submerging the dog’s head in the water >   (Koehler, 1962). Such advice is barbaric, inhumane, potentially >   injurious to both client and dog, and wrong."

> Please let us know what you try and how it works. > –Marshall >        Marshall Lev Dermer/ Department of Psychology/ University of >                      http://www.uwm.edu/~dermer >         "Knowing how things work is the basis for appreciation, >          and is thus a source of civilized delight."  – William Safire

> I urge newbies to ignore Jerry Howe’s abusive, attention seeking > posts and to read:

http://www.sound.net/~twillis/Harlan/concerns.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Kill him!  Or we can have some fun by pitting him in a digging contest with my Dachschund. My money’s on the Weiner dog.  All the neighbors agree.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We just adopted Skip, a 1 year old terrier mix ,and he is perfect and smart > but for one thing He Digs up the back yard. > I would appreciate any tips on how to stop him besides killing him. Just > kidding! > Thanks, Linda OKC

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I have a Rat Terrier and have the same problem.  He digs along the edges of the cement patio.  If you receive any usable suggestions that would help in retraining or diverting this habit I would like to hear about them.  The holes are unsightly and hard on the lawn.  I haven’t been able to catch him at it yet to see what he finds so attractive. Thanks, Dick – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Kill him!  Or we can have some fun by pitting him in a digging contest with > my Dachschund. > My money’s on the Weiner dog.  All the neighbors agree. > We just adopted Skip, a 1 year old terrier mix ,and he is perfect and > smart > but for one thing He Digs up the back yard. > I would appreciate any tips on how to stop him besides killing him. Just > kidding! > Thanks, Linda OKC

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