[chiman]

I have a one year old Basenji Boxer looking mutt which has been a nightmare on gardens and the yard.

Last year we were able to keep her out of the gardens when she was small with small fences, I thought if we trained her that way she would be ok when bigger.

When we are not home, she started crossing the small fences as she grew and now she is digging big time lately. I truly hate to fence all our small beds with big fences. She is digging even where this is not a garden, just bark chip covering. (I suppose she can prep the beds for us and turn them over before the season, ha ha).

Any ideas how to get this rapidly growing problem under control? It is turning into a major problem.

Also, she picks up anything around the yard and trashes it, leaving a big mess. If we leave her bones outside, she just buries them so that is a waste.

Thanks

Chiman

[briteday]

Your dog is bored. Don't leave her in the yard unsupervised. If you are gone during the day she should be crated or put up an outdoor kennel area if you live in a moderate climate. From what I know about basenji's they should not be out in cold weather.

Exercise your dog, outside the yard, for at least an hour EVERY DAY. Your dogs needs the physical and mental stimulation. You too would start digging your way to China if all you ever saw was the house and yard.

[Tess&Coco]

I've seem somewhere on here the idea of giving your dog somewhere that is theirs to dig in, like a child's sandpit filled with earth, and baited with things for them to dig up (kongs, bones, toys etc, anything that will attract them to dig in your designated space rather than the flower beds!). I haven't done this yet so can't comment if it works. We put fencing up round the beds... Coco is now making holes in the lawn! (and she's barely left unsupervised AT ALL!)

[IamTracy]

I agree... sure sounds like bored puppy syndrome.
I love crates! Same concept as toddlers and playpens. Safe place for when you can not watch them.