Destructive Digging

[BellaDad]

I am looking for what has worked for you with regard to stopping digging. I have a 9 month old golden retriever who consistently digs right near the walk and stairs. This undermines the footing of the stairs and has become a safety problem. I correct her when I catch her - but I think she views this as a fun interaction because I am usually charging out of the house. I refill the hole and she goes right back to the spot as soon as I leave. I know a dog digs because of many reasons. I am pretty sure she is bored or looking for large rocks to lick, or both based on the number of softball sized recks she has dug up.

I have a nice yard but can not supervise her all the time. The other option is to leave her inside, which I don't want to do. So I need some practical tips. I am not using the dog pooh in the hole method, but along those lines, does cayanne pepper spread in the area work? Is is safe for the dog?

She has a lot of toys outside and inside and we do play with her several times a day. We are working on fetch and recall, but there are time where I'd like to just let her be a dog outside. I don't even mind the digging along the fringe of the trees or away from the house, but she is exposing the cable wires and aside from making the walk and stairs wobbly, I am afraid she will hurt herself munching a wire. Not to mention the fact that one of the humans might get hurt by a loose stair or walkway brick.

Thanks for the options.

Frustrated BellaDad

[Bill]

You have to catch her in the act to teach her anything. You can build her a digging area (like a sand box or something) and teach her to use it. Poop in the hole won't work. Supervision does work. Toys outside won't work. Maybe fencing off the area might work. Nice yards and outside dogs don't cohabitate very well.