Deep down, some Portuguese Water Dogs think they’re in top form when they dig. Also, digging is an instinctive component of their psychology, and they really enjoy every moment of it. So when you see your dog digging, it’s not yet time to panic, but to think that there are simply ways to decrease the time your dog spends on it.
Check out these methods on how to help your dog do other things besides that amateur earthwork:
1. Before you begin your training to make him less of a digger, you need to identify what makes your dog behave that way. His insistence on digging in one area can be countered with a “leave it” command while you give the dog treats to distract him. You can also be distracted by a smell that continually draws your attention away. These are called dog behavior modification techniques and they tend to be effective.
2. Exercise is an essential ingredient for your dog’s well-being. The more workouts your dog does, the more energy he will expend, which means that after the exercises, the less energy he will have left to dig in the garden. If the dog likes to dig around the same time of day, try giving him exercises at those particular times if you can, so he doesn’t bother digging anymore.
3. Be more understanding of your dog’s tendency to dig every time the winter months arrive. During these cooler times, your dog will dig more, compared to his behavior during the rest of the year, because he craves a warmer place to lie down. Whenever the outside temperature starts to drop and you notice your dog digging, watch how the dog reacts when you give him a sweater or try to turn on the heater.
4. There are also dogs that just can’t say no to the urge to dig, so it’s time to take a different approach besides stopping them altogether. Why not create a special place for your dog to dig? Also train him to dig only in this place. Sometimes it is enough to have a place about three or four feet by six feet wide.
5. Neutering or spaying Portuguese Water Dogs will greatly reduce their desire to dig as their drive to mate is greatly reduced.
6. Have you noticed how you correct your dog when you catch him digging? The trick to getting the dog to “get it” (see his mistake) is to do it with firmness and understanding. If you want the fix to be effective, it’s also extremely important to catch it in the act and not wait for it to finish. If you correct only when the deed is over, he is likely to get the wrong message.
7. What happens when you catch him digging? Try to replace one activity with another. You can distract him from his digging and replace him with his favorite sport.