Digging Alfie

[Jane10]

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Can anyone help or explain why my 11month old Whippet Dog keeps digging holes in my lawn?

I am not sure why he does this, but that is not really my concern. I need to know how to stop him doing it. It is very difficult to actually catch him in the act of doing this.

Is he likely to grow out of this?

Thanks

 

[Hula]

Maybe he is bored and it's something to do ?

 

[jinnyfizz]

Mine went through a digging phase but have now grown out of it :thumbsup:

Not sure why they dug ...... and it wasn't just the garden, it was in the field too!! It did seem that anywhere there was already a slight hole or imperfection they felt the need to make it a bigger hole :lol:

The best thing to do (although I know it's difficult) is to ignore what he has done and quietly fill the hole back in and stamp it down. In time he will lose interest because his behaviour isn't gaining your attention anymore. Good luck and I hope he stops soon for you :luck:

 

[Suerose]

Grace used to try and dig holes in the sofa :angry: when she was younger, and I did manage to get her out of the habit by always telling her 'no'. Of course it is harder if you don't catch them actually doing the behaviour! Maybe his time in the garden needs to be supervised for a while - I know that isn't always easy when you are busy.

 

[eve]

Interesting, Toddy does this too and has since he arrived although he does it less now.

He was very undernourished and thin when he arrived. I personally think that he was after the roots of the grass. He used to dig a bit then chew at the hole. Perhaps the soil or grass roots contains some chemical attractive or necessary to some young male dogs. It may just be that he was a bit hyper in the early days and found it entertaining!

 

[Jane10]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I guess it could just part of his age, and his mischevious nature. He is such a lovely dog and is so full of life, I suppose it is to be expected !

I will fill in the holes and re-seed later in the year. Lets hope he grows out of it !!!

 

[Whippets4eva]

Hi Jane,

As you know Star is just a few weeks older than Alfie, he has always been a digger :angry: but seemed like he was growing out of it so

Dave filled in all the holes and planted grass seed.

Just as the new grass had grown, along came Skye o to dig the new grass up again :- :angry: while Star looks on and thinks......'mmmmm i remember doing that :- forgot how much fun it was'. :lol:

Now we have twice as many holes :lol: :lol:

Hopefully they will both have grown out of it by next summer, and we will get our nice lawn back :thumbsup:

 

[TillynPip]

Gracie, 18 weeks, digs holes. Shes not fussy as to whether she starts them off or just adds to the dints and bumps in our very imperfect grass. She then delights in taking a mouthful of whatever she's dug up and running off at full pelt, shaking her head like fury whilst the soil, grass, worms or whatever, are liberally scattered. :blink: :blink: I suppose we'll get the garden back at some stage and then it will be time for another whippy !! :lol: :lol:

 

[Esty]

Hi,

My two are ten months old and are both diggers, though seem to prefer my Mum's lawn to mine

Grover will also try to dig in the sofa, his fur fabric throw and his bed! They sometimes try it with rabbit holes when we are out - I just assumed it was bunny searching behaviour, though don't know why Gro thinks he can find them under the sofa

I'm a keen gardener but not someone who craves an immaculate lawn, fortunately! I figured they would just grow out of it and haven't really tried to stop it though we do have to keep a close eye on them at my Mum's now. :b