How to Stop a Doberman Pinscher Digging

One of the challenges of owning a Doberman pinscher is that the holdover instinct of digging is alive and well.  Just about any part of the house and its premises can quickly fill up with holes of various sizes, which can lead to strains and stress in the dog-human relationship.  Fortunately, there are effective ways with which to stop a Doberman from digging up a storm with its powerful paws.

The first order of treatment is to dig around for the causes.  Dobermans have individual personalities that lead them to dig the soil in the yard and even soft materials inside the house.  Your role as owner is to determine the causes of the digging and then act on them.

It can be a form of play where entertainment is the main purpose for the digging behavior.  It may be a genetic predisposition to dig, which the Doberman inherited from the various breeds from which it was developed.  It can be an expression of boredom, of anxiety and of loneliness from lack of exercise, abrupt separation and absence of company.

When the main cause has been identified, you can now proceed to implement solutions.  Keep in mind that Dobermans might be intelligent dogs but as their human handler, you must establish mental and physical dominance.

Since Dobermans will often view digging as a physical and mental exercise, it is best to provide a specific digging area where it can dig to its heart’s content.  The best way to do this is to make a sandpit bordered by stones, bricks and any materials suitable for a low fence.  Then, each time your Doberman starts to dig in the yard, say “No” in a firm voice and then redirect him to the sandpit.  The pit itself must have interesting toys that he can dig up, shallowly buried at first and then increasingly deeper to provide for more challenge.

Each time the Doberman uses the sandpit to dig, praise him with words and pats.  But each time he strays into yard digging again, tell him “No” and then redirect his attention.  Be sure to do so when he is actually in the act instead of after the act, which will reinforce the lesson.  Soon, your dog will get the message that it is okay to dig in the sandpit but not in the yard.

For some Dobermans, the temptation to dig is just too hard to resist.  In this case, you should take away the temptations, of which the following are the most effective tips:

* Place small rocks in the yard since these materials hurt their sensitive paws
* Spray his most favored digging places with a bitter-tasting substance or place his own poop in the holes
* Offer treats at least 30 minutes before you leave the house, which will ease his anxiety and stress.
* Provide chew toys and other safe objects of interest in his crate when you are leaving him in the house.

All of these tips will significantly help in that, instead of digging, your Doberman will be encouraged to be on his best non-digging behavior.  Just remember that hitting a Doberman when it misbehaves is counterintuitive to the purpose of house and yard training.