Gun Dog Forum

Problem:
My 11 month old GSP is digging in Prairie Dog holes with her front paws and mouth. When she finally comes up her face and teeth are covered in dirt and mud. Every day when were out walking and running she goes straight to the Prairie Dog holes. Almost has a routine down now..

Correction:
I tell her No Dig, then No, she fails to listen as of late. So I today I walked up grabbed her by the back of the neck and put her in the kennel inside the house with complete loss of outside playtime for today, no runs, no walks etc..

I just pulled the eCollar out of the box and wondering if this might help to stop her when I say no dig?

even If she hasn't had any proper e collar intro then as she begins to head her own direction if you cue her one time with whistle or voice like you usually do ..do not use the collar IF SHE HASN'T BEEN REGULARLY been cued with one anyway if you go usual routine and she still heads to where she wants to go..let her get there and commit to digging and begin turn on high and light her up like a christmas tree do not say a word keep walking...as far as she is concerned something in that hole just bit the ________ out of her if she comes running to you do not reward don't say a word ignore her and keep on walking pretend like you have no idea what happened and just keep going...IF she hits for another town let her get there commit to the digging and again Light her up like a christmas tree

Remember as soon as they are leaving the holes finger needs to come off the button
Do not stand there and watch her it is important that you walk on..You are the leader and she should be going where you are headed not self hunting and doing what she wants
and when she stops and catches up with you reason it is important that you ignore her and not say anything or do anything but walk on like nothing happened you do not want to teach her that the collar means to shut down and get clingy..it was that mean hole that did it not you

what k9 said.

brad27 wrote:what k9 said.

Yep, and before you let her get away with digging more holes.

Witholding play time is of zero consequence to a dog. They do not have the capacity to reason that they did not get out to play all day because they dug in a hole. (neither does a child for that matter).

kninebirddog,

Another great response, worked like a charm. By the 3rd hole she didn't even bother looking in.

media310 wrote:kninebirddog,

Another great response, worked like a charm. By the 3rd hole she didn't even bother looking in.

I just pulled the eCollar out of the box and wondering if this might help to stop her when I say no dig?

just remember, the ecollar isn't a magic cure all for everything.

While I think you got great advice and I have no more to add..... I can't help but think this is more a of a pdog problem than it is a bird dog problem. Here is what I am willing to do to help..... You go ahead and clear me out enough room for a tent and point me in the right direction and ill do my verry best to rid you of the temptin little buggers you pooch seems so inclined to go looking for....

Jim

jimbo&rooster wrote:While I think you got great advice and I have no more to add..... I can't help but think this is more a of a pdog problem than it is a bird dog problem. Here is what I am willing to do to help..... You go ahead and clear me out enough room for a tent and point me in the right direction and ill do my verry best to rid you of the temptin little buggers you pooch seems so inclined to go looking for....

Jim

Hmm That sounds like fun..

Need more motivation? If I recall, prairie dog holes often harbor rattlesnakes.

media310 wrote:Problem:
My 11 month old GSP is digging in Prairie Dog holes with her front paws and mouth. When she finally comes up her face and teeth are covered in dirt and mud. Every day when were out walking and running she goes straight to the Prairie Dog holes. Almost has a routine down now..

I just pulled the eCollar out of the box and wondering if this might help to stop her when I say no dig?

Turn the control to max and as soon as she is within a foot of the hole, ZAP!
If you do not, you will lose that dog to a snake. How will you feel if she sticks her nose in a hole and gets bit by a snake?
Zap her NOW! and end this dangerous behavior.

Scott Linden wrote:Need more motivation? If I recall, prairie dog holes often harbor rattlesnakes.

That is what I was gonna say, they are a favorite hideout for rattlesnakes.

media310 wrote:kninebirddog,

Another great response, worked like a charm. By the 3rd hole she didn't even bother looking in.

So is she staying out of the holes still