Lori Killinger

Labradoodles, Are They Labra-"Diggers"?



Posted: Monday, June 04, 2007

by
I Love Labradoodles and Perfect Home Renovations

Are Labradoodles known to be "diggers"?  No, this is not a known trait of this wonderful breed.  But is that to say that they will never dig in your yard.....no that is not necessarily true either.  There are many reasons why a Labradoodle, or any puppy for that matter,  may dig in your yard...let's explore those reasons.

The most common reason we see is just sheer boredom.  Puppies have so much energy, thankfully it comes only in bursts between their daily nappings!!  What are some ways to help alleviate this boredom?  TOYS, TOYS, and more TOYS!!  Especially toys that they can chew on ie: safe toys, safe rawhides, etc.  It's a good idea to check with your local animal supply or pet store for safe toys and chew toys for puppies, and keep replenishing as needed!! We buy a new supply each and every time we go to the store.  Another great way to alleviate boredom....WALKS, WALKS, and more WALKS!!  Because of all the energy these little ones have, it's a great idea to take your puppy for walks. Again, you will want to avoid places where stray animals may roam until your puppy is finished with their full series of puppy shots or current on their adult vaccinations, because you don't want them to get sick from picking up a virus on the ground where you may be walking. But exercise is a huge way to alleviate boredom!!

Can anybody say.....moles??  Yes, your Labradoodle puppy has acute hearing!!  If you have a problem with moles or other ground burrowing "critters" in your yard, your puppy can actually hear them digging their tunnels and will proceed to "hunt" that critter down!  Check with your local pet supply house, exterminator, or even a Master Gardener extension office for safe ways to remove the yard pests....making sure to explain to them that you have a puppy that will also frequent the yard and it will need to be a safe way to exterminate to avoid injury to your puppy.

Another reason why puppies may be digging in your yard is that they are hot, and prefer the wet coolness of some freshly dug up dirt!  Make sure your puppy has plenty of fresh water, changing frequently during the day, and also a good supply of shade in your yard during the different times of day that you will have heat issues to help alleviate this problem.  Watch to make sure that they have shade at all times, this will take some time on your part and you may need to install some trees, or build some man made shade areas.  Some people have also found having a "kiddie" pool to let the puppies cool down offers relief from this type of digging as well.

Digging can also be a learned behavior. This can be corrected by spending time with your puppy in the yard. When you see the puppy starting to dig, offer a toy instead.  You will need to spend the necessary time to re-train the puppy to not dig. Toys, walking the puppy, even shoveling their own feces (yes, it sounds gross..but it works) into the hole they are digging can greatly deter this behavior.

You may need to put into practice one or all of these suggestions, just remember your puppy is only a puppy for a short time frame. Be careful to not crush their tender hearts, or break their gentle spirit and try offering helpful solutions in the place of harsh words and physical punishment. If you have an extreme case check with your veterinarian to make sure that there is not a physical reason or illness in your puppy causing bad behavior.

Lori Killinger has been married for 27 years to her wonderful husband Jeff, and they have 2 awesome adult children, who are married to 2 awesome children-in-law, with 1 precious grandson, and another just as precious grandson "on the way". Empty nest is not an option at her house, as she and her husband have 1 St. Bernard, 1 Yorkie, 4 beautiful Labradoodles, and 1 fat and sassy cat. She loves spending time with her family, traveling, church activities, and just hanging out with friends playing games, or going out for coffee. Please visit her website.

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