Wanted: Bear-dog training advice ;)

Ourorboros · February 2016

I love my new bear-dog pet. But his constant digging is becoming a problem Everywhere we go he digs. I have to watch every step I take for fear of tripping on one of his potholes and breaking a leg or something. The neighbors are getting aggravated with me, and I am tiring of filling all the holes he digs. I can't be mad at him, he is just so happy-go-lucky and playful, it makes me happy watching him. How can I get this digging under control?

PS....too bad I can't take him to Cyrodiil with me. Maybe some of his holes would trip up the bat-swarming hordes.

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Xendyn · February 2016

Sounds like you need the

Hechicera · February 2016

You don't. You can't. The only discussion you can have with him is *where* to dig. He MUST dig. Just like he must pee. This is the same as with many large livestock guard breeds that are bred to live outdoors 24x7x365 with their flocks. The dig for shelter instinct is fully retained in them. They also dig for food (burrowing mammals). The same with most sled dogs. He looks like a sled/wolf hybrid. You can't take something bred to dig for the eternity of its existence and just say "don't dig, we're in town".

You need 2-3 acres with at least a six foot fence footed in gravel or preferable concrete, yes all of the fence. Leave the dog there to dig if you aren't with him. You may think that's overkill for a wolf-dog but that's standard for any large LGD if you want them to stay put. Depending on his escape/wander/patrol drive, which is often much higher in wolf-dogs and males, 6' fence may be insufficient unless electrified. Top and bottom.

ZakuBeta · February 2016

We gave my dog a sandbox to dig in. It is kind of like teaching them to not go in the house, every time they go to dig take them to the dig spot. Granted it was a different breed, but it worked, of course you have to put the dirt back in the box periodically. It is also more fun for them if there is stuff in the box to dig up. Put in squeak toys, and an occasional rawhide.

baratron · February 2016

I'm jealous! Your wolf-dog pet doesn't have a broken tail!

WhiteCoatSyndrome · February 2016

@Hechicera...any advice for dogs that chew on walls?

WalkingLegacy · February 2016

My German Shepherd loves to dig but I've gotten to where she doesn't dig anymore.
Huskies, Shepherds, Malamutes, all these big breed dogs have so much energy, you have to let them runnnnnnnnnnnnnn it all out. Otherwise you have a problem.

Edit: that's a big beautiful *** you have there.

Hechicera · February 2016

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

@Hechicera...any advice for dogs that chew on walls?

Not enough info. I can think of at least four reasons why a dog would chew on a wall (teething, boredom, to get through the wall, neurosis). And that doesn't mean the dog you're thinking about is even in those categories, or conversely may be in more than one.

mr1sho · February 2016

A beautifuld dog

Ourorboros · February 2016

You guys do realize this thread has nothing to do with real dogs? It's meant more as a parody of the new pet, which digs like crazy. Husky owners may appreciate how closely the new pet captures reality, but everyone else likely laughs at the new wolf-dog.

Hechicera · February 2016

Ourorboros wrote: »

You guys do realize this thread has nothing to do with real dogs? It's meant more as a parody of the new pet, which digs like crazy. Husky owners may appreciate how closely the new pet captures reality, but everyone else likely laughs at the new wolf-dog.

Ha! Got me!

But I work with dogs, and talk with LGD (livestock guard dog) rescues. Sadly, digging with LGDs that people took to town is very high up there with why they get sent to rescues. So unfortunately for dogs, you picked reason many owners who get a specific type end up unable to keep it. I've also had huskies too. Escaping usually trumps digging on their being dumped. Wolf-dog popularity makes me /facepalm. They are very like the LGDs but on steroids. Most LGDs can find a home, if it has proper fencing for the hard headed ones, and a job. Many of the wolf-dogs can't. They end up in "sanctuaries" aka rescue pens permanently or put to sleep. So I don't regret describing proper fencing for this type.

Ourorboros · February 2016

Hechicera wrote: »

Ourorboros wrote: »

You guys do realize this thread has nothing to do with real dogs? It's meant more as a parody of the new pet, which digs like crazy. Husky owners may appreciate how closely the new pet captures reality, but everyone else likely laughs at the new wolf-dog.

Ha! Got me!

But I work with dogs, and talk with LGD (livestock guard dog) rescues. Sadly, digging with LGDs that people took to town is very high up there with why they get sent to rescues. So unfortunately for dogs, you picked reason many owners who get a specific type end up unable to keep it. I've also had huskies too. Escaping usually trumps digging on their being dumped. Wolf-dog popularity makes me /facepalm. They are very like the LGDs but on steroids. Most LGDs can find a home, if it has proper fencing for the hard headed ones, and a job. Many of the wolf-dogs can't. They end up in "sanctuaries" aka rescue pens permanently or put to sleep. So I don't regret describing proper fencing for this type.

@Hechicera Your post had me nodding in agreement. I almost resorted to concrete around my fence for my 'runner', but found another solution. I do think zos did an amazing job on the wolf-dog, but only if you consider it to be mostly Husky. I've heard many comments about how bad the tail looks, but I know from life how accurate it really is. And it's nice to know my ESO Husky will never shed.

ps. Kudos for your work with rescues. I have a rescue Husky myself.

WhiteCoatSyndrome · February 2016

@Hechicira: She's a beagle and less than a year old. In general she's friendly, intelligent, and boisterous, but she chews on everything (not just the walls, those are just the hardest to keep out of reach

). She does have her own toys to chew on. Her owner is in his late eighties, and any solution would need to be something he can implement easily or I could implement for him over a weekend.

ZakuBeta · February 2016

WhiteCoatSyndrome wrote: »

@Hechicira: She's a beagle and less than a year old. In general she's friendly, intelligent, and boisterous, but she chews on everything (not just the walls, those are just the hardest to keep out of reach ). She does have her own toys to chew on. Her owner is in his late eighties, and any solution would need to be something he can implement easily or I could implement for him over a weekend.

I'm glad my Beagle mix(currant dog) didn't get that habit, though she loves to chew the arms/legs off of her toys. I can't break her of the habit o running to hide every time I get up. I have never abused her, and play with her as often as she is willing to. She's about 5 years old, and doesn't play as often as she used to. I am the only one who gives her baths, so I think she is afraid I will give her another one.

ArvenAldmeri · February 2016

Oh come on, guys! Its cute as hell

Let him dig, lol.

MornaBaine · February 2016

Pets need to be interact-able. You should be able to tell the dogs to sit or lie down and have then do it. Of course you should be able to also command the cats but in response they either just stare at you or hack up a hairball.

MornaBaine · February 2016

Also, we have baby bears. Where the heck are the kittens and puppies???

Mojmir · February 2016

The girls approve

TheShadowScout · February 2016

Just live with the digging. That's how these doggies roll.

...I just wish that occasionally they might dig up a lockbox or heavy sack or soemthing...

RDMyers65b14_ESO · February 2016

Well,in Wayrest, I am always finding a dog training pamphlet when going through Emeric's nightstand. You might try there.

MrDerrikk · February 2016

TheShadowScout wrote: »

Just live with the digging. That's how these doggies roll.

...I just wish that occasionally they might dig up a lockbox or heavy sack or soemthing...

InB4 someone cries P2W

Actually, if each pet could give you something to interact with, similar to the Mystery Meat trophy from the Deshaan dungeon I would be very happy. It wouldn't necessarily need to be useful, but something like the housecat bringing little mice very occasionally for 1 guts, the bigger carnivores bringing meat ingredients from a fresh kill, the vegetarians bringing berry kinds of food etc.

TheShadowScout · February 2016

...and occasionally you get an guard aggro you without having done anything bad yourself because your doggie snatched a juicy plump hen from a local farmer?