How do you teach your dog to respect your outdoor space? For many people, dog obedience digging is a big problem. Many people believe that you shouldn’t even consider owning a dog unless you have a fenced in yard. While this opinion may be extreme, it’s no argument that a backyard makes dog ownership simpler. Housetraining can begin outdoors from the start and space is readily accessible for exercise and exploration – even before leash manners are taught.
In fact, the backyard is so handy, some dog owners even use it in place of proper dog training, although this is not a very wise move. Many people find it easier to put the dog in the yard when friends come over to avoid jumping and over excited greetings. Many people choose to add a pet door so they don’t have to take the time to let the dog out. This may be convenient, but it is not a smart thing to do.
Your Backyard and Your Dog
Unfortunately, this relinquishment of supervision and control can lead to backyard mayhem and the creation of an independent thinker – a dog that has little desire to please you. You’ll most probably end up with bad dog obedience digging problems.
Since dogs tend to be social animals, they consider their human family to be part of their pack, while other dogs might be additions. When dogs are left alone in the backyard, it makes them lonely and bored. They entertain themselves by digging holes, tearing out plants and shrubbery, and escaping under or over the fence in search of companionship. Some bark their butts off in an attempt to call their clan together or exchange vocalizations with other yard-bound dogs.
Social isolation isn’t the only reason dogs begin bad behavior, by digging, barking and destroying the backyard, but it plays a major role. After all, if a supervised dog is about to do the wrong thing, its owner is on the spot to give it a warning and redirect its attention to something preferable, such as fetching a toy or performing easy dog obedience training. When the dog does the right thing, its owner is able to immediately reward the good dog behavior with play, praise or a tasty treat; and as we know from psychologists, rewarded behavior increases in frequency.
A Dog left Alone Cannot Learn
Think of your backyard as the dog’s home gym. While this is a great place to play and exercise, it shouldn’t be the dog’s sole place of ‘life’ staying all the time at home. A dog isolated in the backyard cannot learn house manners, protect the residents and contents of the home, or build respectful relationships with its people. A dog digging problem will arise when a dog is left alone.
If your teenage dog is too hyper to leave along all day, you should consider having someone walk your dog or take your pooch to a doggy daycare to prevent accidents and problems. Keep in mind that dogs who are bored tend to get themselves into trouble and display bad dog behavior. It is not the dog’s problem it is being naughty, give it some attention and see how your dog will improve and you won’t have a dog obedience digging or barking problem anymore.