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About Jill Connor, Ph.D.
Expertise
I have spent my entire professional life (25+ years) rehabilitating the behavior of the domestic dog and I can answer any question regarding any behavior problem in any breed dog. I do not make ANY MONEY from participating on this site (AND there's NO LINK to my website, this is a real pro bono participation). I am a STRONG advocate for the domestic dog. THIS MEANS: If you are a caring, empathic, committed owner and need advice, I'm here for you. THERE ARE NO QUICK FIXES for serious behavioral issues; not only is it unprofessional to offer same, it is also unethical. IF I ASK YOU SUBSEQUENT QUESTIONS, I NEED YOU TO INTERACT WITH ME. More information equals more credible answers and a more successful outcome. If I ask you to DO YOUR HOMEWORK and journal your dog's behavior, PLEASE do it. I normally spend at least TWO HOURS (initial consultation) in a client's home, during which time I evaluate the dog for temperament and do an in depth interview of all humans in the household. I CANNOT do this on this site or in any other text venue, so I MIGHT ask QUESTIONS. If you want ANSWERS THAT WORK, participate in any way I request. If you can't be bothered spending the time doing your own work, please do NOT expect me to use psychic skills to obtain answers from you; without YOUR information, I can't succeed. I'm quite committed to working on this site for YOUR benefit and the benefit of YOUR DOG. Help me in any way you can.

Experience
30 years of solving serious behavior problems in domestic dogs; expert in dog to human aggression; Internet columnist for ThePetChannel.com for 5 years; former radio talk show host, WHPC.FM, Garden City, NY "Bite Back" (1995 through 2000). List owner, international animal behavior experts, K9Shrinks@egroups.com. Seminar leader: "Operant Conditioning and Learning"; "Aggression in The Domestic Dog"; "Solving Problem Behaviors" -- conducted for various training facilities on Long Island from 1993 through 2000. Former clinical director of "Behavioral Abnormalities" in conjunction with Mark Beckerman, DVM, Hempstead, New York.

Organizations
Member, APDT (UK); Psychologists in Ethical Treatment with Animals

Publications
Harcourt Brace Learning Direct: "The Business of Dog Training"

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Past/Present Clients
Board of Directors: Northeast Dog Rescue Connection; The Dog Project; Sav-A-Dog Foundation; etc. Pro Bono counselor: Little Shelter Humane Society My practice is presently limited to forensics. I diagnosis cause of dog bite, based upon testimony before the Court, for attorneys and insurance companies litigating dog bites, including fatal injuries. I also do pro bono work for bona fide rescue organizations, humane societies, et al, regarding such analysis in an effort to obtain release for dogs being held for death in municipal shelters in the US.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Dogs > Canine Behavior > digging Westies

Canine Behavior - digging Westies

Expert: Jill Connor, Ph.D. - 11/6/2009

Question
Hello-
I have two Westies (male %26 female from the same litter, both fixed) that are 3 years old. I know these animals are bred to dig/burrow, but I hoped they would outgrow the behavior. They dig up my yard several times a week, making a mess of the pool, damaging plants, etc; they dig until all I can see of them is their tails! Is there anything that I can do to discourage this behavior?
Thank you.
Pam

Answer
First: don't leave the dogs outdoors for long periods of time. Boredom and social isolation cause behavioral problems; dogs often develop digging behaviors and even aggression (toward passing people, objects, etc. and sometimes due to being taunted from the other side of the fence.) Further, too much time outdoors and away from the household will make the dogs more difficult to live with over time and may precipitate escape behavior.

To stop hole digging, especially in specific areas, a motion activated sprinkler can be used. This device, if positioned at the perimeter of the digging behavior, will automatically spray water if the dog walks in front of it. The startle effect might be just enough to discourage future attempts to dig in that area:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BO71NY

Another method to stop digging behavior is to provide the dogs with their own digging area: you can construct a sand box with simple lumber (or even purchase one in a toy supply store), fill it with sand, and bury some new toys and treats: encourage the dogs to dig in their own place where they will be self rewarded when they discovers treats and toys. This is a last resort, however, as some dogs generalize this experience to other places.

Only YOU know if you're leaving your dogs unattended outdoors, although there can't be any other explanation since the dogs apparently have time to do so much damage. Dogs are social animals requiring consistent interaction with their humans; one dog can precipitate a problem behavior in another dog quite easily. I suggest you educate yourself regarding what dogs require in terms of social interaction, exercise and training by reading Dr. Ian Dunbar's "Dog Behavior: An Owner's Guide to A Happy, Healthy Pet."

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