How To Stop A Miniature Schnauzer Digging
Digging is a behavioral problem that can drive an owner crazy. While digging can be great fun for your miniature schnauzer, it is not so fun for you when you have to patch holes up. The good news is that you can stop your dog’s digging from getting out of control.
Reasons for Digging
Digging is a common problem, so chances are you will have to deal with it at some point with your miniature schnauzer. There are many things that an lead to a digging behavioral problem. Your dog may dig as a symptom of separation anxiety. He may dig because he is bored or has too much energy. Some dogs may dig to get out of a fenced yard and get to other dogs.
It is important that when you notice the problem that you try to find the reason behind it. Many times by simply paying attention to what is happening that day and how your dog is acting can lead you to the answer. Understanding why he digs will help you to teach him to stop digging.
How to Stop the Behavior
It is very easy to become mad at your dog when he has dug a hole in your yard. However, yelling at him will not fix the problem. He may stop digging when you are around, but the minute you are gone he will probably just dig again.
The better way to fix the problem is to be smarter than your dog. One trick many owners use is to set up a sprinkler in the yard and turn it on when the dog starts to dig. The dog then associates the sprinkler with the punishment and not you. As long as that sprinkler is around he won’t likely dig for fear of getting punished.
If the sprinkler trick doesn’t seem to work then you may need to try some other things. Here are some other things you can try to stop this bad habit:
- Exercise your dog more. If he digs out of boredom then this could end up stopping the behavior.
- Make sure he is getting enough attention so he doesn’t feel alone or abandoned.
- Keep him crated when you are away.
- Give him plenty of toys to play with.
Sometimes nothing you do will stop your miniature schnauzer from digging. Usually the only solution is to prevent them from being able to dig. For example, if the dog digs under the fence then put in a concrete barrier. Sometimes you just have to out smart the dog to fix the problem.
Digging is something you will probably come across. Dogs like to dig and they do it for so many reasons. It is often just their way to deal with things. No matter how you deal with the problem, it is important not to just ignore the behavior. You need to stop your dog from digging to keep him safe and to keep your yard from looking disastrous.