how to stop dog from digging out of yard

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I placed a husky with a great family last year. Now I'm told that the dog frequently digs out of the fenced yard, and has to be chained for her own safety. Does anyone have suggestions for preventing her from digging out?

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), March 22, 2002

Answers

the ole' .22 or 12 works,, or how about an electric wire along the bottom?

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 22, 2002.

I found that when my dogs start digging, I can stop them from redigging the same hole after I've filled it by putting a layer of their feces in the bottom, then filling it. I only use this approach with holes at least 2 feet deep for health considerations. Apparently, they don't like digging through their own crap.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

the only thing that worked for my chicken killing st. Bernard, was an electric wire,about 3 inches from the ground and about3 inches from the fence. I had mine all set up,but not hooked up to the electrical source,she got out again and killed 2 more chickens!!! I could have rung her neck, and kicked myself for being squeemish about the electrical shock she would recieve. Sooo, I hooked it up to the cattle fence, and walked calmly around the house, and then ran to my room where I could see what was happening. Well she immediatly went to the fence to dig out, and jumped as if she had been shot. I said,"Do it again, Do it again" (remember I had just lost 2 more Hens), She may have tried it another time or two, But she stays inside her pen, even thru thunder storms. It works very well, if you can keep in mind the damage that dogs can do if they get loose, you don't feel so bad about the shock or two they will get before they learn. Susan

-- Susan and Emily ,TN (animalcrackers55@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.

We raise huskies, and they are notoriously bad for digging. We call our dog enclosure the "Tora Bora" cave complex. However, there is not one hole along the fence because we put up one strand of cheap electric wire. The whole setup was less than $50 at Home Depot. The dogs touched it once, maybe twice, and that was it--instant respect for the boundries. Now we don't even plug it in. It's totally worth it, and gives great piece of mind.

-- Eddie Miller (eddieannmiller@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.

The offset hot wire inside at the bottom would be my suggestion as well. It need only be on initially for the dog to learn not to go near the fence. After several encounters he should respect it.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), March 22, 2002.


Sounds as though someone could make some money setting up these hot wire dog deterrants for people, loan them a charger for a few days and only charge them for the wire set up and the couple of days of charger loan.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

I've used the electric fence approach five inches off the ground for my Rotties as well. It is no longer powered, and they no longer dig under or jump on the fence. It only required a couple of shocks for them to learn.

If a stubborn and determined dog like a Rottie can learn, I believe any dog will.

-- Rudy (rbakker@wcrtc.net), March 22, 2002.


I have used this system and i know it works. any wire fence can be used. what i used was cement reinforcement wire with a 4 inch mesh. lay the fencing on the ground and attach it to the bottom of the fence. so if the critter wants to dig a hole under the fence he has to start about 4 feet back and dig a tunnel. what is created is a skirt at the edge of the fence. If laid properly the grass will grow up around and through it and it can be mowed.

-- paul (vonmantik@yahoo.com), March 22, 2002.

A solution that worked for us was rock.We added rock around the perimeter of the fence,and that stopped all digging in those areas.Apparently,it hurts their claws to try to dig in rocky soil.

Hope this helps.

-- Johna (marcnjohna@aol.com), March 22, 2002.


We used the electric fence also, mostly for our "big hairy" dog.

None of our dogs will approach the fence - they stop about 5 feet away even though the inside wire is gone now, and only the fence line wire is still up (not always on, but they don't know that). Even cows or horses coming down the lane, or the occasional stray dog will NOT provoke them into crossing that invisible barrier.

The trick to this is that they must get a Very Strong Shock the VERY FIRST TIME. And the SECOND TIME as well, if that's what it takes.

After that you're golden! Only a really stupid golden retriever would even do it by accident (I love 'em, but God did not include brains with that breed)

And please, please, do remember to put the color tape all along the wire when you install it, for your safety and any other person who might not know it was installed, and inadvertently get a PAINful shock. This actually happened to a pregnant lady near us and believe me, we were all on our knees in prayer till she delivered a healthy screaming boy.

Have a Blessed Day

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmal.com), March 22, 2002.



Sorry but your golden must have come from a back yard breeder or some show lines I know. Mine have competed in all levels of obedience and hunting trials.They are smarter than most of my neighbors .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.

Paul is right on! We did that in the dog pen about three years ago and haven't had a dog dig out yet. And believe me, we've given it a workout ~ have had many different dogs in that pen. We're forever bringing home strays and finding homes for them. So much so that our friends jokingly call us "Spicewood's Unofficial Canine, Kitty and Equine Rescue" or "SUCKER" for short. *grin*

-- Wingnut in Spicewood, TX (wingnut@moment.net), March 22, 2002.

We do the wire fencing on the ground just like Paul described--never had one get out yet. They usually even quit trying after a while.

-- Sharon (cheesyemailaddy@notreal.com), March 22, 2002.

Patty, I mean no disrespect to your chosen breed. Every species and breed of animal has its "dim bulb" and I was remembering one of those at the time I posted. No hard feelings, I hope. It is not my intention to create enemies on this board.

Wishing you Blessings In His Name

-- Michaela (flhomestead@hotmail.com), March 22, 2002.


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