Budget ways to stop a digging dog!

[luvthatdisney]

Hi guys,

My lovely dog, Harley (Corgi/Beagle mix) is a wonderful digger. He has made many holes around the perimeter of our yard, under our fence so he can escape over the last 8 years we have lived here. Usually he just gets out and runs around our street. All of the neighbors know him and ignore him and he eventually comes home when he gets thirsty.

We have tried to plug the holes (bricks, pavers, logs, concrete, and even metal stakes), but he just digs a new hole somewhere else to get out. We have a regular chain link fence and it is easy for him to dig a hole and then push out the bottom of the fence to get through.

We even tried the electric line around the area he likes to get out and it did not stop him and I was afraid of neighbor kids accidentally touching it so we took that down. We can't afford an invisible fence and need to find a way to close up the bottom of the fence so he cannot get out.

He is a smaller dog, but weighs about 50 pounds and is very very strong so DH said he did not think adding chicken wire to the bottom of the fence would stop him and does not want to spend the money to try it. He has me looking for alternatives. I have found some use railroad ties placed at the bottom of the fence around the yard, just wondering if anyone has tried that and if it looks really bad.

Our main problem now is there is a stray that has been around our house for about 3 months. Animal Control has tried many times to catch it, but has not been able to. This dog has befriended our dog and actually helps him escape - watched it happen! For the last 2 days, harley has escaped and run off with this dog. One day he did not come back for about 5 hours and eventually showed up on our front porch even though I went out and looked for him. Yesterday, he got out around noon (according to my DD - I was at work) and I drove around for hours and finally found him a few streets away about 10pm last night. He was just sitting with the stray dog in someone's yard He has been fixed, which I thought were supposed to lessen the desire to get out and mate, but it did not work with him.

Anyone have any low cost options to keep a dog in a fence?

 

[msmayor]

If the fence isn't keeping the dog contained, then create a 'dog run'.

We did this with our dog when I was a kid, and it worked just fine.

Ran a heavy-gauge wire from just above the back door out to a tree in the back of the yard. Attached a metal clip at each end of a 35-45 ft rope (depending on yard size) and hooked one end of the rope onto the overhead wire. The other end of the rope hooks into the dogs collar.

The dog is now tethered to the wire and no matter how much digging, can't get outside of the fence because he is 'attached' to the wire. Still has plenty of room to roam around.

 

[polineedyan]

The dog run is a great idea for some, although Ive had issues with it. Especially with hounds. These dogs are doing what is in them to do. So Ive seen a few hounds (albeit not corgi mixes) stretch out these lines or basically tear them down.
Most people with hounds have their dogs in a kennel with a concrete flooring. Unfortunately, I myself dont view hounds as great pets. They are great dogs, dont get me wrong. But they need to run, and they need to dig. Think of Snoopy. Always running away..
All I can say about a beagle is 'good luck'.

 

[Magic Mom]

Wear him out. If he wants to get out and roam, take him for lang walks/runs in the morning and in the evening. And give him some fun things to do in the yard.

 

[labdogs42]

This is going to be a tough on, especially since he has been heavily reinforced for escaping (hours of fn running around with that other dog). I think the railroad tie idea is a very good one. That's probably the least expensive option. Also, you could not allow your dog outside unsupervised. That's easier said then done, I understand. Or make him a digging box. Get some railroad ties or wood, make a frame and fill it with dirt and/or sand. Bury some treats and show him that he can dig there. He will love it! Although, since he's trying to escape the yard, this might not be enough. You could also get metal stakes and stake your chain link to the ground all around the yard. That will make it harder for him to push the fence out.

Tiring him out is a very good idea. Also, giving him toys that keep his brain stimulated like a buster cube or stuffed Kong. Those might make your yard more desirable to your dog, too.

 

[dfchelbay]

Maybe one day you could leave your dog inside the house and open your gate to the backyard and wait for the stray dog to enter (if he/she will). Then close him in and contact animal control to pick the dog up. That will alleviate some of your dog's desire to roam with this dog. Maybe, if it's a nice dog, you could adopt it to keep your dog occupied...you already know they get along. If the stray is happy with your family, he won't run off and will keep your beagle's attention...within the confines of your yard.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Maybe, if it's a nice dog, you could adopt it to keep your dog occupied...you already know they get along. If the stray is happy with your family, he won't run off and will keep your beagle's attention...within the confines of your yard.

That's what I was thinking!

 

[Matt'sMom]

Long time beagle breeder/owner, dog trainer, and a corgi owner to boot here...

A secure dog run (as in a chain link run with concrete or paver floor--NOT a tie out) is a great idea. But if you just want to secure the current yard fence, you have two potentially good options. Apron fencing (attaches to the base of the chain link, and then is bent at a 90 degree angle and buried underground) is one option. The other is to take cut lengths of metal rebarr, and pound them into the ground along the base of the fence at intervals a few inches apart, creating an in ground barrier (depending on size of the yard, that could be a lot of materials and work). Both of these methods are frequently used to keep smallish animals from digging under fencing (keeping pets in and unwelcome animals out).

I would also highly recommend that you provide your dog with an alternate, more acceptable outlet for his desire to dig. Consider making a doggie sandbox, just for him. Hide fun toys and treats in the sand for him to discover. When you catch him digging at the fence line, correct and then bring him to his personal sandbox. Praise and reward the dog for digging in the more appropriate location.

For more in depth advice on training a beagle and living with these wonderful little hounds, you may also want to check out the book "Training Your Beagle" from Barron's Educational Publishing. (A revised 2nd edition is due for release early in 2011.)

 

[labdogs42]

Long time beagle breeder/owner, dog trainer, and a corgi owner to boot here...

A secure dog run (as in a chain link run with concrete or paver floor--NOT a tie out) is a great idea. But if you just want to secure the current yard fence, you have two potentially good options. Apron fencing (attaches to the base of the chain link, and then is bent at a 90 degree angle and buried underground) is one option. The other is to take cut lengths of metal rebarr, and pound them into the ground along the base of the fence at intervals a few inches apart, creating an in ground barrier (depending on size of the yard, that could be a lot of materials and work). Both of these methods are frequently used to keep smallish animals from digging under fencing (keeping pets in and unwelcome animals out).

I would also highly recommend that you provide your dog with an alternate, more acceptable outlet for his desire to dig. Consider making a doggie sandbox, just for him. Hide fun toys and treats in the sand for him to discover. When you catch him digging at the fence line, correct and then bring him to his personal sandbox. Praise and reward the dog for digging in the more appropriate location.

For more in depth advice on training a beagle and living with these wonderful little hounds, you may also want to check out the book "Training Your Beagle" from Barron's Educational Publishing. (A revised 2nd edition is due for release early in 2011.)

Yea! Glad the beagle lady agrees with me. I'm a long time Lab owner/trainer who just acquired my first Beagle this year. I love him to death and luckily he hasn't figured out how to tunnel under or climb over our fence yet, but from all the reading I have done, I keep my eyes out for any signs that he might be figuring that out! Our Labs are good in the yard, so they have taught him good manners so far. I have the digging box plan in my head in case I need to enact it at any point!

BTW, your do in your avatar is beautiful. Where are you located in case I am looking for a second Beagle some day?

 

[wdwmaw]

Spray amonia around the fence, dogs hate the smell and they stay clear of it. You will have to do it daily at first and it also works on items they chew up.

 

[horseshowmom]

I agree with the apron fencing. That's what we did with our kennel (also chain link). From time to time we leave our dogs in the kennel. We had one quite a few years ago who was an excellent digger. My husband buried the apron fence a few inches underground all the way around. It completely solved the problem. Of course, a whole backyard would take a lot more work. In your dog's case, he's not just digging for fun, he's digging to get out.

One more suggestion, have you thought about adopting the stray dog as a companion for your dog? You might be surprised how much it would help (both your dog and the abandoned one ).

 

[luvthatdisney]

OP here ~

Thanks for all of the suggestions. The "apron" fencing sounds like a good idea and seems like it would be easy to do. I will mention it to my DH. He will be the main one doing it - I will help I also like the idea of making a digging box for him. He will stay in the yard until the neighborhood kids come out to play, I really think he feels he is one of them as he runs around with them as long as they are out there. That is usually where is he, but since the stray showed up he runs off with her (he is fixed!).

As for the stray, she is a chow mix, very large She must have been abused as she will not have any contact with humans. We have gotten about 2 feet away from her when she was not looking but she immediately runs away. We have tried tempting her closer with food, toys, nothing has worked. We have left the gate open when our dog is out and she will not go in, will not go anywhere near the gate. She is a very pretty dog and if I would consider taking her if she were a little more friendly. She has been hanging around for about 3 months now.

As for leaving him inside...well, he is basically an outside dog. He hates it inside and cries at the door when we bring him in during bad weather. When it snows he is miserable inside. Only snows occasionally here We do have an inside dog and they do get along, but he just hates it in the house.

Just looked out and he has escaped again. Neither one of them are around. Sending DH to find him since I now know where they are going. Have to do something today!

 

[Luvchefmic]

OP I hope Lady & the Tramp have come back since you posted !

We have 8 dogs rolleyes1 yeah I know thats another story) and 4 of them love to dig...no one has gotten out due to the digging but we put the railroad ties around the inside edges of our 6' chain link fenced area when we first put up the fence. No one goes near the edges and digs. It really doesn't look bad.

FWIW I do have holes in the middle of the area that rival fox holes in a war zone so I will be trying the ammonia and a designated digging box so Thanks pps I am tired of filling in holes every day and feeling like I have been subjected to hard labor camp For the redbone coonhound that is in our pack he sounds like your dog...neutered too but the drive to want to explore the great big world is strong...he is getting much better due to treadmill time prior to outside time...

Ruthie

 

[yoopermom]

I'll have to politely disagree with the person above. Hounds can make GREAT pets, as long as you remember that they are working/sporting dogs, so have "drive". I tell hound owners, either you drive that car, or they will! Hounds are also raised in packs, and so living alone and seeing a "pal" on the outside is probably bothering yours, as well. As others have said: exercise, obedience class, toys that require effort, and a job to do are essential to have a happy, healthy hound. Being alone in a yard for hours on end is going to cause trouble with most dogs, and a loose hound will end up with a shortened life often. Ask your vet or others in your local dog community about dogs clubs/4-H groups/etc that you can join. Good luck!

Terri
(Who has nine hounds in the family...and a pony walker to exercise them)

 

[Luvchefmic]

I'll have to politely disagree with the person above. Hounds can make GREAT pets, as long as you remember that they are working/sporting dogs, so have "drive". I tell hound owners, either you drive that car, or they will! Hounds are also raised in packs, and so living alone and seeing a "pal" on the outside is probably bothering yours, as well. As others have said: exercise, obedience class, toys that require effort, and a job to do are essential to have a happy, healthy hound. Being alone in a yard for hours on end is going to cause trouble with most dogs, and a loose hound will end up with a shortened life often. Ask your vet or others in your local dog community about dogs clubs/4-H groups/etc that you can join. Good luck!

Terri
(Who has nine hounds in the family...and a pony walker to exercise them)

Terri...I agree about the hound and the lonely never even addressed that but OT: NINE ! and what a GREAT idea about the pony walker---Genious !

Ruthie

 

[yoopermom]

It was my fault, I left town for two days to visit family, and I came home to a used pony walker in my yard, but NO PONIES!!! (I love horses, and miss them terribly.) DH said, "But I got such a great deal on it..." They only walk on it for 10 minutes or so, but they're tired the rest of the day! (I told the big orange one in the middle that he should take a few turns himself)
Terri

 

[labdogs42]

It was my fault, I left town for two days to visit family, and I came home to a used pony walker in my yard, but NO PONIES!!! (I love horses, and miss them terribly.) DH said, "But I got such a great deal on it..." They only walk on it for 10 minutes or so, but they're tired the rest of the day! (I told the big orange one in the middle that he should take a few turns himself)
Terri

Those are some beautiful hounds! How did you train them to use the pony walker or did they just figure it out? What a fabulous idea!

 

[yoopermom]

(Sorry OP for the digression) It's motorized, so can be set for different speeds, but they're so excited to get on it that they start pulling before we even turn it on. As you can tell, Archer doesn't always get the message about going the same direction as everyone else

And OP, if you have a treadmill, dogs can easily be trained to exercise on that, as well, you should just never leave them unsupervised. We do that, as well.

Terri

 

[cbg1027]

I have a few suggestions.

When we first got my dog Dahlia, she dug out a lot. So we put the chicken wire underground and that stopped. However, she learned how to unlatch the gates! So we put locks on those. Then she figured out she could jump over oe of the gates that has a decorative dip in the the height. Around the time she started doing this, we got another dog. And then Dahlia stopped trying to escape. So maybe your dog is lonely?

Sorry, I know a 2nd dog isn't a cheap fix.

If your dog is a digger, it's not a behavior you can really stop. You have to find a creative outlet for it. I know a trainer who has Parsons Russell Terriers, so in order to stop them digging all over the whole yard and escaping, she created a special area in the yard with some railroad ties and sand where the dogs are allowed and encouraged to dig. I'm not sure how she trained them to only dig there, but it's a good idea. You have the holes confined to a certain area, so there isn't a safety hazard, and the dog won't be digging to escape.

 

[Jex]

Have you tried putting a cone on him, I know it sounds mean, but it may work.