My Crazy Chihuahua

Some pet owners would dissuade their pets from digging. However, I’ve been doing some research and believe that it’s healthy and natural for dogs of all sizes to dig, Chihuahua’s included. At present, I’ve got a whole backyard full of dirt… However, I’m trying to get her [Bella] to understand that there are “good” digging spots and “bad” places in which it is off limits for her attempts to dig.

Chihuahua [Bella] Digging

“I’m sure that I can dig to China…”

Here are some tips:

Create a Sandbox

Create a pit, just like a sandbox for kids.  A circular area or rectangular area 3 x 6 feet area and depending on the hardness of your dirt, you may need to loosen up to about 2 feet of soil.  Adding sand will help it drain during heavy rains.  Once the pit is ready, take some of her favorite toys and let her watch you bury them.  Call your dog over and help her dig things up. Once she gets the idea and is digging without your help, enthusiastically praise her.  When she digs up a treat or toy, she is immediately rewarded by getting to eat it or playing with it.

Discourage Bad Digging Spots

Once your dog has an understanding of the pit, and that it’s acceptable to dig in that area, now you can teach her that digging elsewhere is no allowed.  The first step is to mark the area and if you aren’t able to insert a small fence, using sticks and string strung along the top would be sufficient.  The purpose of the fence is to mark a boundary and not intended as an actual barrier.  Each time she gets close to the boundary, quietly warn her with a simple ‘off’.  Continue this until she has stepped back across the barrier and praise her when returning back to acceptable turf.  In time, with your patience, your dog will understand acceptable areas to roam and your designated area for digging.

Summary

1. Present a dig site to your dog. Share the experience with her and give praise.

2. Watch for digging and lead her to the spot that you previously noted as suitable for digging.

3. Continue praise for correct digging locations and lightly chasten when crossing unacceptable boundaries.

I did some pondering about my last post regarding Bella playing and truly believe that this is such an important topic that I would go into a little more detail. Caring and playing with a dog is much like caring for a child. Dog toys keep your puppy busy and keep her from eating your furniture or digging up the yard. Every puppy has a chewing need and the right toy will help them stay calm while you are not in the house with them. The key is to find the right toy for your dog.

Bella Playing with her mini tennis ball

Toys designed for puppies and dogs provide them with a safe item to explore. Giving them a toy to play with is a perfect distraction when they start to chew on something that is off limits. The goal is to train your dog so that they will choose one of their toys over any other item within their reach. This is accomplished by teaching your dog or puppy that they receive positive attention when playing with the correct toy. When playing with their toys, make sure to give them plenty of attention. Likewise, when they are playing with something that you don’t want them to have, ignore them and just take the toy away. There isn’t a need to negatively enforce the behavior other than a simple “no” and removal of the object. When they come to play with their toy, reward them with a treat, as this is the behavior that you are working and training towards. Over time, your puppy will understand the differences and will choose their toy and will leave your furniture alone.

When looking for dog and puppy toys, make sure that you find a variety of different types. Just like humans, dogs get bored too and a little change in toy can make a huge difference. There are many different kinds and they range from toy dog size to large breed dogs. Bella, our Chihuahua, enjoys small toy-sized balls that she can fetch and smaller sized tennis balls make the perfect toy. Other toys make sound when squeezed and others make sound when shaken.

Some dogs like to chew and destroy their toys. A good rawhide or bone is a good substitute and having something available for your puppy is an excellent way to reduce the destruction of their own toys. For puppies, keep in mind that smaller teeth need softer bones.