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Post by michelnpat on Apr 26, 2013 7:42:29 GMT -5
I'm sure this has been covered before but I can not find any references to stop digging in the yard. Michel has never been much of a digger but Isabelle loves to dig and now so does Michel. I have tried pouring on Cayenne Pepper and burying banana peels (from Jerry Baker's book) where the holes were and I've filled them in. We've just had the yard fertilized (safe for dogs), aerated although I believe Michel had done a pretty good job of that by herself and seeded. There are two areas topped up with mulch for them to use and keep them off the newly seeded lawn.
Any suggested will be greatly appreciated.
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Post by GreyPoopon on Apr 26, 2013 7:51:19 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the only way to keep them from digging is to supervise and stop them as soon as they start. Some eventually realize that digging is not on the agenda. Others are incorrigible, and will dig whenever you are not paying attention.
The only other option is fencing off the area that you want to protect. This can be done temporarily with plastic garden fence as the grass takes hold. But if you want them to be able to use the grass, it isn't a long-term solution.
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OwnedBySummer
Hound Nut
"Summer" (aka Coach Standifer)
Posts: 1,392
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Post by OwnedBySummer on Apr 26, 2013 11:46:37 GMT -5
Are the dogs outside without you? In that case, you're probably SOL. My dogs have never been allowed outside alone so I am able to stop any digging activity immediately. I've been lucky in that mine have also learned not to do it. Although I believe Summer has learned that she can dig when she's at Camp Greyhound! Oops.
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Post by lotsoffreetime on Apr 27, 2013 15:40:21 GMT -5
OMG, this question made me laugh....I now have 5 hounds digging the trench in my yard!!!! I am thinking I may just go with it and plant bushes there (knowing full well they will dig somewhere else afterwards).
I am not sure how to stop them digging anywhere short of being out with them 24/7 but Karen at CampGreyhound told us that to stop them digging in a certain spot, to bury some snow fencing a few inches down (make sure you weigh it down as well), and cover that with soil in that spot you want to stop them digging in...when they dig, the snow fencing acts as a deterrent, as it bothers them, but because it is plastic, it will not hurt them.
alternatively, I have heard of people designating a certain area to "digging"...some even put sand in that area specifically for digging purposes as the greyhounds are used to sand at the farms. In theory, they would then only dig there. With mine, they only dig where the trench is, but if you have seen the pictures, the trench is HUGE (mainly because so many of them are digging it up). Still, they never, ever try to dig anywhere else in the yard, only there. food for thought....
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Post by michelnpat on Apr 29, 2013 8:23:56 GMT -5
Thanks for your advice. Yes, the girls are supervised most of the time, there are times I leave them to answer a ringing telephone or some other diversion. It would appear that the cayenne pepper and banana peel trick has done the job -- they have left that spot alone and not started another spot yet.
We have had the yard re-seeded and put in two separate areas as theirs. Michel has been exceptionally easy to train -- just showed her the area she is to use and she has made little to no effort to get onto the re-seeded area. Isabelle is another story -- she simple jumps over the barrier and goes on the seeds. No use keeping her on a leash -- she was trained not to go when on a leash. No matter how far or long we walk she will not go until she gets home and is let off the leash.
Will keep working with her. Thank you again for your great advise and suggestions.
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