Digging up the garden!!

[Popsmom]

Can anyone offer any advice please. I have a 5 month old Springer Spaniel bitch. I know its a dogs nature to dig and sniff out things but she has started digging up the garden lawn. It looks as if we have moles!! She is getting very good with her recall and we have a whistle. 8 out 0f 10 times she will come and we reward her with a treat, but when she is digging she will pay no attention to you at all. It ends up in a chase around the garden to get her indoors.

Also she has started to really pull when out walking on the lead. She takes me for a walk. I do pull back on the lead and say no and I will stop with her and make her sit until she calms down but when we start of again its back to square one.

Also only recently when you tell her no when she starts jumping up at you, she will then start jumping up and start trying to bite your hands or anything she can get hold of, clothes etc. Its not aggressive biting more like play biting but then when you say no more sternly to her, she will then sometimes start barking and growling at you.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks.

[nick_j007]

Can anyone offer any advice please. I have a 5 month old Springer Spaniel bitch. I know its a dogs nature to dig and sniff out things but she has started digging up the garden lawn. It looks as if we have moles!! She is getting very good with her recall and we have a whistle. 8 out 0f 10 times she will come and we reward her with a treat, but when she is digging she will pay no attention to you at all. It ends up in a chase around the garden to get her indoors.

Also she has started to really pull when out walking on the lead. She takes me for a walk. I do pull back on the lead and say no and I will stop with her and make her sit until she calms down but when we start of again its back to square one.

Also only recently when you tell her no when she starts jumping up at you, she will then start jumping up and start trying to bite your hands or anything she can get hold of, clothes etc. Its not aggressive biting more like play biting but then when you say no more sternly to her, she will then sometimes start barking and growling at you.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks.

Hiya.

A quick response as I am just leaving the office.

Digging:
Do not leave her in the garden unattended! This will allow her to practice and you're not there to interrupt and redirect. Place a long line (maybe a 10m training line that she drags around whilst you're dealing with the digging). You can then swiftly stand on it then haul her away or to you which ever applies. Watch her with great vigilance and correct and early scrapes before it becomes a dog. A Pet corrector will inhibit it straight away if she's not of a nervous nature. Just give a short blip behind your back is enough for most dogs.

Walking
Go to the expert articles section here and see my notes re lead-walking. An hour with a local trainer may be advisable if you continue to struggle.

Jumping
Beging to train her in all situations that SIT=Hello no other behaviour will cut it. When a dog jumps up at me in that manner I correct it mid air and they stop immediately. Once the dog is sitting nicer and calm I can then offer strokes and calm fuss. The problem as always is offering generic advice online. You may require some one to one to be certain you're using the right method and amount of firmness.

HTH,

Nick

[Popsmom]

Nick,

Thanks very much for your reply and advice. Have taken all on board and will follow up.

Thanks again.

[nick_j007]

Hi. how are you getting on?

Nick