The most trouble that people have with new dogs that are put in the yard would be the “transplant the shrubbery game”. The cause here is one primarily of boredom. That’s right… pure boredom. Dogs need toys of their own, just as small children do.
When I was a child, I recall vividly the boring hour that separated my arrival home from school from my dad’s arrival home from work. The apartment was small, and I had no toys. I soon discovered that playing with dad’s coin collection was more interesting than staring at four walls.
It turn out to be that the ice cream truck arrive during that hour, and it wasn’t many such hours before the driver of the ice cream truck became the owner of my dad’s coin collection!
It is necessary that you have a couple of toys that you can alternate to your dog when he’s tired of chewing on same toy. You can buy a baby a new fancy rattle, and it’ll keep baby occupied for a while. But he’ll soon tire of it unless you rotate that plaything with other playthings.
If you are satisfy that Buddy has ample and adequate toys, but he continues to get into mischief by digging up your favorite plants, this bad habit can be cured by a similar method used for dog chewing problem - the entire plant should be tied to his mouth for about an hour or more for each occurrence, and will become an unpleasant and unpalatable object within the time-frame of four days.
One More Trouble
A added concern that you must consider is hole digging. The hole should be filled with water and the following procedure carried out with the thought in mind that Buddy wanted to go swimming or would not otherwise have dug the hole.
Buddy should have his head immersed in each instance that he sees fit to dig a hole. This should not be done while you are emotionally upset or appear angry. Rather, your attitude should reflect fun… fun… fun…
This must only take 5 seconds, then must be released and allowed to retreat five or ten yards away to shake off. Try to coax Buddy back to the water hole, exhibiting surprise that he doesn’t want to continue the “game.”
{Seeing that your dog again wanted to dig,|When the next hole is dug, come upon the scene with enjoyment that Buddy again wants to “play the game.” Fill the hole with water and find Buddy (who will be hiding if he saw you pour water into the hole.)
Whenever you see your dog make another hole, repeat the dunking routine. On the fourth day (remember that it takes an average dog four days to learn an average thing) call Buddy to your side, get on your hands and knees and YOU dig a hole!
Because of this game of hole digging that you well love, your dog will be not pleased and will stop making any hole again. He will now go out of his way to make sure no further holes appear in the yard, and for good.
Tags: bad habit, coin collection, dog chewing problem, dog owner, fun fun fun, plaything