Designated digging area?

[JackieMaya]

I have a big dirt area (where I was eventually planning on putting in a patio) where the kids REALLY like to dig. Since they've been digging there, they haven't been digging anywhere else. The hole is proboably big enough for Pooh Bear to lie down in now! Do any of you give your dogs a designated digging spot? I'm thinking that I might let them go ahead and dig there. That can be their "sand box." Does that sound like a good idea or a stupid idea?

Here are the holes a few days ago (with Jackie there so you can see the size of the holes). They're a lot bigger now.

[Crystal]

McKenzie had one spot in a bank a few feet from the creek she loved to dig in. She would dig huge holes and lay in them. They were on the back side of the bank and when she got in it she disappered. She loved it. I say let the dig if it makes em happy.

[xavierandrea]

Sounds like a GOOD idea. I have a designated digging spot for my guys. It was that or I wouldn't have a yard left.....

[Kerislc]

Scout had a favorite spot and unfortunatly, it was in my garden. This spring, since I am getting ready to plant it, I have had to train him to a different spot.

Everytime I see him digging there I tell him no, pick him up and take him to the side of the house. Then I dig to show him it is ok. I look like a complete idiot and my husband laughs at me, but it worked.

[Canis erectus]

Allowing your dogs to dig is a good idea, though I suppose this depends on the dogs in question.

China will pick a spot under a tree bough or bush and excavate a burrow, but she won't dig anywhere else. If I didn't let her have her burrow there'd be dozens of little 'starter dens' all over the yard.

Zoey occaisionally puts a hole in the lawn when she's digging up a grub, but otherwise only digs in China's hole.

If I ever decide to stop being cheap and get a new camera battery, I'll take a picture of the burrow. It's really quite impressive up until it collapses and she has to start over again.

[JackieMaya]

The two holes in the picture I posted above are now connected, and it looks like a scaled down version of the Grand Canyon! I'll take a picture of it tomorrow. I'll try to get some pictures of the excavators in action too (which shouldn't be hard to do). Even Jackie is digging away!

[Guest Anonymous]

Kiani is a digger too. She even dug up the mulch to lay down next to the house but I put a big ol pot in the hole so she won't mess with it. I'm starting to zeroscape the yard and we plan on putting in some new grass, because all there is is weeds. And Kiani will get prickleys in her pads and she hates it, so she doesn't like going in the yard at all. But I'll have to leave a safe digging spot for her or all our hard work will go to waste. Although she likes to dig right next to the sidewalk so she gets it all over it, and I have to sweep/shovel it back. She had about 3 or 4 big holes. Then we got dirt to fill it in and she didn't like it very much.

Well if you really want to put in a patio, be creative and elevate it so the dogs can go underneath and dig till thier hearts are content, that way no one else will see. I read some where that it's sorta like thier stress reliever and then they get a cool spot to relax in afterwards, so it's not a good idea to completely take it away from them, just find a safe spot for it to be done in.

[pyrless]

it's a good idea. pyrs dig just because they can, and sasha likes this one spot under the deck. other creative solutions are stone or brick paths through your yard, not only does it look nice, it gives them somewhere to run and wear down their nails AND limits the digging area! otherwise our yard would look like a gunnery range... :D

[DogPaddle]

I have been debating putting in a sectioned off area for digging but the yard is so small I'm not sure. I've heard about it being good for wearing down nails and good excercise.