Puppys are digging!

We got 2 puppies back in May, they're almost 6 months old. We've got an appt to get them spayed at the end of Sept. They're outside dogs. We have a huge fenced in back yard. Our problem is they're digging. Along the fence, everywhere. They're catching moles, I'm not complaining about that, my DH is complaining because of the digging along the fence. They're almost out. I know once they get spayed they should calm down some, but is there anything we can do to keep them from digging so much? Can u trim their toe nails for that? Any suggestions appreciated... Thanks Ange

I don't think trimming the nails will help, they are wearing them down by digging and vets don't do complete nail declaws on dogs like cats. Try placing landscape timbers along the fence, and sprinkle some tobasco sauce mixed with a little water on the sides. I did this with a yorkie I had to keep her from digging out under the fence. It worked however she was only 7 lbs. They may still dig under the timbers and they may stop. Also, try distracting them with toys, i go to garage sales and pick up stuffed animals for my springers. As long as they have plenty of chews and toys they should be content in the yard. As a last resort, pour a concrete curb around the fence line.

Don't plan on the spaying/neutering on calming this down. It never has on any of my dogs. My husband gets a bag of Quickcrete and mixes up some concrete to put in the hole to prevent further digging -- pours it a little low so we can put dirt/grass on top and it's not noticable. For one dog I had, this was our only option b/c that dog never stopped digging. At their age, they are going to want to dig, especially if they are unattended for part of the day.

Hello! This is going to sounds kinda strange, but I am assured that it works. A friend of mine does animal rescue and between her and her neighbor, they have a total of 17 dogs. She swears this works: When they did a hole, mix dog poop in with the dirt and cover the hole back. The scent of another dog will deter them from digging. You may have to do this a few times, but she says they will stop digging. With that many dogs, I am sure she knows something about it Let me know if it helps! Take care! Kim

Another thing to try is sprinkling cayanne pepper (sp?!) along the fence area.  It didn't work for us because it rains here so much but between the rains there was no digging when we had it down.  We eventually gave up and turned our troubled area into rock bed!  Of course we've had no trouble since then!!