Doberman Pinchers are intelligent, high energy dogs that do not like to be left alone. If you leave yours in the backyard by herself for too long, chances are she will start to dig. Once a dog starts digging, it can be hard to curb the behaviors because it is self-reinforcing. In other words, your dog is getting plenty of things she wants from the digging, so it makes the behavior stronger. However, there are a few things you can do to curb the behavior – before your Dobie makes your backyard look like a giant mole village has taken up residency. The following are four tips to stop your Doberman from digging.
#1 – Management
While you are working on solving the digging problem, which won’t happen overnight, the easiest way to stop your Doberman from doing it is to not leave him in the yard alone. This way, he won’t have a chance to practice the behavior. The more he practices it, the more he will continue to dig because it’s rewarding for him.
#2 – More Exercise
Digging takes a lot of energy. Many dogs do it as a form of self-exercise. If you provide more exercise for your Doberman then he won’t have the energy to dig.
#3 – Self-play Toys
Boredom is another reason why your Dobie may have taken up trying to dig to China. Providing self-play toys for your dog in the backyard is a great way to keep him occupied. The Wunderball is a great choice because when your dog drops it, it bounces unevenly, encouraging your dog to keep playing. Treat toys, iFetch, Tether Tug, and the like are all good options too.
#4 – A Place To Dig
Aside from expending energy, your Doberman Pinscher might just love the feel of the dirt in his toes and the smells he unearths. Your Dobie may even be tracking a mole or a gopher. For these dogs, you may find the only way to stop him from digging up your entire yard is to give him a sand or dirt box of his own. Use a kid box or build one yourself. Make sure it has a clearly marked perimeter and that the soil inside it is different from your landscaping so your dog can learn the difference. Bury toys and treats inside the box (shallow at first) to encourage your Doberman to dig there and not anywhere else. This is a great solution because it gives him exercise and keeps him from being bored while saving your landscaping. And, there’s no risk he will dig himself out of your yard.
