FFQ, fed up with my dog's digging

nic9911

Hello,

I am researching this right now, but i figured I would ask here as well. I have a lab who is about 6 months old. He digs my bulbs out of the ground and I am at my wits end. We have a dog door and the back yard is fenced. I would like to let him go in and out as he pleases. He was doing fine and now he has started digging. I catch him in the act and correct him, but I cant always correct him. 

I am trying to reseach spray. Has anyone used pepper spray. Like actual OC. I have some and think it may work but its strong and I am worried too strong.

Edit for clarity. I want to spray the plants not the dog.

bekahdrum

Digging is often a release of energy or from boredom.  If you are not already I would make sure you are at least walking him every morning and giving him other positive ways to release the energy.  Our lab dug a whole right off our porch when she was little.  She is much better now that she gets plenty of exercise.  I have heard of using pepper spray or cayenne pepper on plants, but I do not know anything about the safety of doing that.  You might also consider putting up some kind of barrier that would keep him out of that area.

closapio

I wouldn't let him go out the dog door without paying attention to what he is doing.

We had a regular poster about a year ago who worked with someone who had a dog door. A possum came through the dog door, her dogs killed it, and they both had to be put down (I *think*) due to rabies exposure.

 The pictures she posted were horrific, with blood all over the kitchen, etc.

 

Dog doors just aren't worth it. Plus, if you have to let your dog out each time, you can keep an eye on him and stop the digging before he starts.