[didrexx]

Need a little advice here... My pittie is just over a year now, and he's really into digging. Now, this wouldn't be an issue if he wasn't digging up bones. Animal bones.

We have nothing that we buried in the yard and he was chewing on what looked to be either a possum or cat femur. Once that was taken from him he returned with a shoulder blade. Took that too. Soon after, he came with the intact vertebrae. Which of course, was taken away.

We searched the yard, and I searched his normal digging spots but can't seem to find the source of this unknown long dead animal he's devouring (or at least trying to).

I guess I'm trying to ask whether you believe it will harm him or if you've had a similar problem. I don't know what to do at this point. Only thing I can feesibly think of is a basket muzzle because his behavior has been atrocious lately. Eating everything (garbage, shoelaces, socks) and he's never ever acted out like this before. Please help with some much needed advice.

Thanks in advance

[Desflahd]

I wouldn't worry about him chewing on bones, it's normal for dogs to do that.

This might be a foolish question, but does he have anything that he knows is ok to chew on? For a year old dog I have Kongs or some kind of toy all over the place so there's always a right answer when they get the urge.

[didrexx]

Not foolish at all! :-) he's got plenty of bully Sticks, and toys. He demolishes his toys within a week (even the "indestructible" ones) , so he can kill the squeaky part. The bully Sticks and all, he buries and then goes into the house to attack what he can.

I invested in a bottle of bitter apple and though I believe it's helping, it's not stopping him. Sigh.

[diegogo]

Frankie is almost 7 months and digs a LITTLE bit. With her, it's almost like she's playing with a toy outside, and while she's pouncing on it, just goes into digging. Nothing major, just little holes, maybe 4" deep.
I'm going to borrow a remote shock collar and zap her when she's digging. She's pretty smart and should learn quick that it's not allowed.

[KLIMOV25gyi]

maybe reserve a little spot for his digging where no animals can get access too?
fence it in with some cheap chicken wire and let him only dig in that spot..

make sure that there are no dead animals present buried in the soil before deciding on a good spot to fence in lol

[mylittlejewelaa]

I have a digger as well, haven't figured out what to do about it much other than to re-enforce the bottom of our fence line.

If she digs in the middle part of the yard, or just any really big holes in general, I will drop a few bricks into the hole, and she won't usually touch it again. After she ignores it for a few days, I can usually fill it in without repeat digging. We're still working on not digging at all, so I'll be sure to post if I figure out anything that works well! lol

[OgrGlgHu]

I'd just make the dog a spot where digging is cool and train to dig there and only there. Maybe a sandbox with some toys hidden in it for doggie to find?

[mylittlejewelaa]

someone suggested something similar to me, but I haven't looked into it at all, they suggested using a sandbox, and putting the little "pea" gravel instead of sand in it. Supposedly, it's endless digging, because the pea gravel doesn't hold a shape like sand. lol Like a digging treadmill I imagine.

[saruxanset]

Correct me if I'm wrong but he has to wear a basket muzzle all the time because he gets into things and causes destruction and mess? How often is he exercised...maybe he's bored?

[PZXjoe]

Correct me if I'm wrong but he has to wear a basket muzzle all the time because he gets into things and causes destruction and mess? How often is he exercised...maybe he's bored?

I agree- maybe he needs some more exercise or mental stimulation. Have their been any changes in your routine lately? Something that might have set him off?

[Gometesstem]

Mine use to dig so much it was hard to walk out at night without busting your butt falling in a hole, shes just over a year now and does it very little. What i did if she started digging a hole i scooped up a lil bit of poop and put it in the hole, she wont dig there no more. After a few times of this she gave it up all together except for chasing a chipmunk now and then.

[Breeriacoirl]

Walk him everyday at least an hour. Sounds bored and restless.

[U2DnBGFE]

He could need more exercise, yes... but also, some dogs just like to dig! My pup Zealand spent a good portion of time at a gravel beach the other day, digging his lil heart out! I plan to make him a "digging box" filled with pea gravel for him to dig in. He also digs the blankets on my bed, and his blankets in his crate. He's done it since I got him, and he's definitely not under-exercised or bored... it's a fun game to him!

If you REALLY don't want him digging, exercise the crap out of him until he has no energy to dig and if you find him digging, redirect the behaviour. I encourage my pup to dig if he wants to.. it's something he loves, and it's not harmful in our situation, so why not?

[Desflahd]

I've got a digger too. His kennel looks like it's been mortared but that's the only place he digs so I don't really care. I think that an ok place to dig would be a great idea if it's already causing problems.

[didrexx]

Great suggestions everyone :-) I'll definitely bring the crate into the picture for when we're away.

I like the puzzle toy idea too, any good ones that can take a beating out there? I will definitely look into it.

And yes, he loves to de-fluff too haha. He got to the corner of one of our old down comforters.... Down feathers everywhere! I couldn't help but laugh a bit because he was covered.

Until later... Off for more exercise!

[U2DnBGFE]

If he's being that destructive, he's NOT getting enough exercise. 2 miles really isn't anything for a hyperactive bull dog

For his own safety, and the safety of your possessions, I would crate him when you can't watch over him. Destructive dogs can get into dangerous substances, or ingest the stuffing from pillows and get a blockage, etc.

[OgrGlgHu]

He might be one of those dogs that needs more exercise, but he also might just be mentally bored. Have you thought about buying some of those puzzle toys? There are quite a few on the market, usually found online, that really give a mental workout. I've noticed with my dogs that mental exercise actually tires them out as much as and sometimes more than physical exertion.

---------- Post added at 08:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:45 AM ----------

If you decide to buy some puzzle toys, buy 2 or 3 of them and swap them out. Leave one down for a few days and then switch it for another so the dog doesn't get bored with it.

[didrexx]

Thanks for all the replies!

I love the sandbox idea. I think that would work well for him.

He gets plenty of exercise, trust me lol. He's taken for a two mile (sometimes more) walk /jog every day. It calms quite a bit, just not to the extent of him no longer attempting to chew up everything in sight. Toys, bones all get destroyed and or buried, and he prefers chewing what he's repeatedly told not to.

Unattended last night, he ripped through two sofa pillows. It's his first destructive bout in a few days. He acts fine, and then it seems he regresses sometimes. His vet said it's pretty much impossible to actually wear him out but I'm willing to test that theory ahah.

[mylittlejewelaa]

Unattended last night, he ripped through two sofa pillows. It's his first destructive bout in a few days. He acts fine, and then it seems he regresses sometimes. His vet said it's pretty much impossible to actually wear him out but I'm willing to test that theory ahah.

HAHA! my pup Karma, believes her life goal is to de-fluff anything fluffy...no matter how much exercise she gets! lol We've learned just to try and keep pillows and stuffed toys away from her... lol