KittynDoc 968 Posted December 28, 2016 Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 So, by now, Wyot is familiar with our yard, and wants to go beyond, into the woods, but too much snow prevents that. His belly hits the snow and gets cold fast,I watch him do the sniff and circle before he gets ready for elimination....he sinks, and I just pray his bottom doesn't touch his pile of poop when he goes, lol! Something interesting, which I picked up in my readings on the forum while we were waiting for Wyot. Digging is a natural instinct for dogs...obviously, you don't want holes in your entire yard, so you need to do something about it. Even though we have snow, in areas, the snow is only 3 inches or so, and he must smell mice or chipmunks under the snow, and starts digging, then hits dirt, and hence, begins the big hole in the yard. He always comes back to those spots when we go for his walk to "go". I read that Kim had suggested to throw their own excrement into the hole, and they won't dig there anymore. Well, I can say- IT WORKS! Since it is cold, his poop freezes (poopsicles!)...so I diverted his attention, and kicked the frozen stuff into the place he started digging into.Magic! He smells, and then goes on his way, completely disinterested. I can say for now, it works, but what do you do when he has many holes he starts to dig up in the spring? I can just picture very shallow holes all over the yard, with poop thrown in (cartoon like land mines is what I imagine in my head, lol!!!) Interesting how well this works, seeing as my last dog, a female black lab just ate her own poop ( I called her recycler dog), no matter what I tried with her diet! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sherab 2,337 Posted December 28, 2016 Report Share Posted December 28, 2016 (edited) We put in a paver path from house to barn so as not to twist an ankle. Back when we had an excavator (female GSD) we put a wrapping deck on the barn to prevent finding a cave under the foundation. With the little dogs the holes are smaller but still hazardous enough. We back fill the holes with soil but there are always new ones. Pick your battles. I think someone put in a tractor tire with sand or something similar that worked well. I'm not a big fan of sand and send boxes. I was traumatized by cat poop as a small child. No seriously, we had bitting sand bugs in the South so I'm not a big fan. You have to keep refilling the thing, the sand tracks into the house, the box has to be big enough with tall enough sides to keep most of the sand in but a cover is good to keep cats out and so on. Here's a photo of 3 German Shepherds in Ye Olde Sandbox. Sand boxes are a lot of work. I think it's actually easier to keep a pile of dirt and just back fill the holes - at least for AIDs. It's much better if they can visit the sand - like at the beach or on a hike some where. Edited December 28, 2016 by Sherab 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
oocahtah 197 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Mooka would dig like his live depended on it that is how he got his name Mooka in ojibee means dig up buy the time he was 2 he stopped we just told him no digging and kept on him and he would see my gsd never dug or the little fluff ball so everyday got less and less till now nothing 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KittynDoc 968 Posted December 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Wow...a dog that doesn't dig, lol! That's amazing. They are smart, and eventually, they get it. For now, I am hoping that together with throwing the frozen poops into the barely started holes, and a firm NO may train him out of it by spring (not holding my breath on that one, as he will only be about 6 months old). Perhaps I should put that to use and have him dig in my garden, making the holes for my plants in my raised garden beds, when it comes time for planting, lol! (Just kidding) Beyond the backyard, we have a forest and field just behind the house, and while hiking, I may let him have those areas as his digging and exploring area. Just a thought. Since it is too cold outside right now, our walks are limited. As a result, I feel he tries to do a lot in one little walk in the frigid temps. Inside, I find him dragging his bed from under the table into the main area, and making a tunnel for himself, likewise, I once walked into the room and found half the rug folded over, with a little Wyot rump and tail sticking out...he tunneled himself cozily under there, chewing a bullystick! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Denise E. 1,485 Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Wyot may harvest in the garden too! Mine have dug up sweet potatoes that didn't know were ready! 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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