digging dog!

[kittywoo]

hi our five month old pup has a problem with digging. and chewing she has dug several masive holes in the back garden, added to this she has chewed a hole in the wall in the house and likes to chew the skirting boards does anyone have any ideas as to 1) why shes doing it and 2) how to stop her all ideas thankfully recived...

[abstibus]

Hi Kittywoo
A young pup gets bored easily, and I think a lot of behaviour is because of this. They also need lots of exercise, short bursts regularly.
Been there and got the t-shirt with mine - I could go on for ages about the damage she did when she was a pup - walls, carpet, chairs, wallpaper, brought the flowerbed into the kitchen, etc. In desperation, I took her to a dog psychologist , and he taught me to teach her to behave to commands - sit, down to floor, shake hands, etc. - all rewarded. I also bought a Kong - the thing you put food inside and the dog has to get out, but found it got mucky and smelly.
What I then did, and what she still loves, was put some small 'marrow' biscuits (supermarket - I let her smell them and see me doing it ), inside a clean plastic drinks or milk bottle and screw the top on - she had to get them out and this kept her occupied for ages, throwing it up in the air, biting it etc. The 'biscuits are just big enough to be a challenge for her to get out of the bottle. I had a 'den'' for her - somewhere she could always take the 'prey' she had caught - in fact, it was the rug in the hall.
She's over eight now, and still loves this.
The best advice the dog psychologist gave me was 'Hang in there - she'll be a great dog'.

[garner]

I agree with what anne says bur if I might add...What breed of dog have you I have two terriers they are 15 years old and still dig if given the chance,same with chewing and being distructive, they have three good walks a day and the above toys but its in their nature to cause mayhem lol and after all these years still do [bless em]as regards the digging we left them with a patch of grass,so they can dig to their hearts content and boy do they dig there is an advert on the television with a jack russel covered in soil ect and thats my two, we have a gate across the patch so my hubby can fill in the holes once a month and it gives the grass a chance to grow,so they can start in another section.

[abstibus]

See link below for doggie teething. Maybe that's the problem?
http://www.royalcanin.co.uk/your_dog/puppy/pup py_guide/hygiene_some_tips.aspx

[abstibus]

Another good link from West Hatch
http://www.rspca-westhatch.co.uk/PuppyChewing. htm