Welcome back to the ACI Newsletter. In our Spring 2002 edition we'll cover digging, why dogs bury bones, trash raiding, and a quick banana treat recipe.

Please send your favorite treat recipes, stories, pictures or contributions to our editor at editor@dogskool.com. We really enjoy getting feedback from our readers.

Digging is a very natural thing for dogs to do. They dig to escape, to find a cool spot to lie in, to bury a bone, because they are bored or because that's what they were bred to do. Digging is one of the most frustrating behavior problems a dog owner can experience. Many dog owners have spent the day planting a garden, only to have it dug up in a matter of minutes. If your dog digs, you have two choices: extinguish the behavior or redirect it.

Extinguish the Behavior

To do this, you must supervise your dog in the yard either with you out there or while watching through a window. When your dog begins to dig, you interrupt the behavior with something the dog will want to avoid: a loud noise, your voice, or a thrown choke chain. If you are not opposed to using a remote training collar, one that administers a small electrical correction via a remote control device, this is one of the few behaviors that a remote collar works well with because the dog will think the correction is coming from the behavior rather than you. Consult a qualified trainer or behaviorist for proper usage.

Redirect the Behavior

If your dog loves to dig, create a "digging place" in a remote area of the yard. Take your dog there and let him see you bury a treat or bone slightly under the surface. Encourage the dog to dig it up and praise him. Do this each day. Bury fun things (treats, chew toys or bones) for your dog to find. Remember to correct the dog if he digs anywhere but the special place. You want the dog to dig in only the designated area, since it is in this special place that he/she gets reinforcement (finding neat things) and receives no corrections.

Why Dogs Dig

Temperature - To escape the heat, dogs will seek refuge in a hole where the earth is cooler.

Breed - While all dogs will dig if given the opportunity, some breeds dig more than others. These include the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Samoyed, Fox Terrier, Airedale, Cairn Terrier, Afghan hound, Dachshund, Weimaraner, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, German Shepherd, Poodles, Australian Cattle Dog and Doberman Pinscher.

Nervous energy - Nervous dogs will dig because they are stressed or frustrated.

Online training advice is a very sticky area, since every dog, owner and situation is different. Everything written in the ACI News merely offers suggestions to get dog owners thinking. We encourage all dog owners to take obedience classes, talk to their vets, and work with professional trainers so that their relationships with their dogs can be everything they should be.