[Mary22]

Our puppy is almost 4 months and a Wheaten Terrier. Just recently she's started digging in sand, dirt, flower beds... everything. She especially loves mulch. Any suggestions on how to stop this behavior while she's young? Thanks!

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Mary22

Our puppy is almost 4 months and a Wheaten Terrier. Just recently she's started digging in sand, dirt, flower beds... everything. She especially loves mulch. Any suggestions on how to stop this behavior while she's young? Thanks!

Terriers are breed to dig for rodents, but there are lots of things that may work. Having a terrier how about an area just for her to dig? I would also not let her see you dig in the flower beds she will join you. If you go with an area just for her put thing under the dirt for her to dig for. If you put her in a fenced in area you can put dog poop in the hole then cover it or put lava rocks in there and cover them. good luck I know it is hard I had one help me dig holes for bushes then when he made other holes I would run right out and fill the hole with a plant. No one could figure out why I put plants all over like I did.

[Mary22]

What do you mean put poop in the hole? Does this keep them from going back? (Sorry if if this sounds stupid?)

[briteday]

Having known a few wheatens in my life I would say that perhaps your pup needs much more exercise, preferably structured by you. The wheatens I have known have always been extremely energetic and like the energizer bunny with endurance. Rarely have I seen a wheaten off leash in unfenced areas as they tend to be chronic runners and have selective hearing. But if you can find a fenced area, besides your yard (that's already familiar territory), play hard with her at least 1x/day for 30 minutes...ball, fetch, frisbee, running, hiking. A tired wheaten is probably a better behaved wheaten. And if not confined to the yard she will probably be more selective about bad behaviors like digging.

Also, a wheaten at 4 months is one of the cutest things on the Earth. But if you don't start correcting bad behaviors at this age, she will be your worst nightmare in a few months. I particularly like the techniques in Puppies for Dummies, please don't take offense at the title. But it's an easy read and follow for puppy owners with lots of easy tips and tricks for everyday issues.

However I do have to say that every issue I've ever seen with a wheaten was solved with more structured activity and setting limits/boundaries right away.

[Mary22]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes she is very stubborn at times but we try to be pretty consistant with her. Even our 5 yr old daughter is involved in the training.

We do have a fenced yard but it's been very rainy the past few days so we haven't been able to get her out there and play with her. When we correct her she seems to know she's doing wrong but she likes to back talk (best I can describe it)... I try to walk her at least once a day and she is a different dog when I do. She loves her walks.

She is the cutest thing ever and we love her to death but realize she is a terrier ...or shall I say terror? Either way, she's got quite the personality.

[cshellenberger]

How about providing her with a place where she is allowed to dig? If you own your home you could build her a sand box and and she, and you daughter could both dig there.

[Jen D]

Originally Posted by Mary22

What do you mean put poop in the hole? Does this keep them from going back? (Sorry if if this sounds stupid?)

This will work with alot of dog but she may just go to another spot, after continuing this she may think gross digging is not for me.

[briteday]

Just asked the neighbor with a wheaten how they solved the same problem. They gave her a place of her own to dig and never let her outside when they were digging in the other places in the garden. They felt that would encourage her to abandon her own spot for theirs. The dog's digging spot is in a fenced off side yard where the dog is allowed to do whatever she wants and where she is placed to piddle. One end had an old flower bed so they let her dig there.

[Mary22]

Thanks Briteday and Jen D... some great advice!