Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is the love of digging. From burying bones to making cool dens for shelter, dogs in yards will inevitably turn to this favorite past time.

Digging can not only ruin your yard, but it can ruin your relationship with your pet. Can you stop this behavior before it gets out of control?

The first step in stopping your dog from digging is to determine why he is doing it in the first place. Some dogs just love it.

However, there may be other reasons including lack of attention or stimulation, storing food, or he's building a den to cool off or stay warm. Alternately, he may be attracted to freshly turned earth or the scent of fertilizer.

Knowing the reason behind the digging can help you stop the behavior. For instance, if it is due to boredom or lack of attention, you can start to offer your dog more play time with you. Dog obedience training can go a long way in preventing the behaviour.

If the problem persists, try one of the following:

1. Dogs can often be deterred from undesirable behavior if there is an unpleasant consequence. Try burying a balloon in your dog's frequent digging spots. Once he pops one balloon, he may be over his habit.

2. Along the same lines, you can mix in his feces when you refill a hole he's dug. Dogs will often return to the same spots, and when he discovers the feces, he'll be turned off digging.

3. Chicken wire is another thing you can bury in your yard to deter your dog from digging. He'll hate the feeling of his claws against the wire and will be prompted to stop.

4. If you catch your pet in the act of digging, spray him with a water bottle or hose. Dogs hate this (but it is not harmful). They'll get the message. Do not, however, spray him if you don't catch him actively engaging in digging. If you do, he won't understand why he's being punished.

You love your pet; you don't have to love his bad habits too. If digging is a problem, take immediate steps to correct your dog's behavior. He'll be happy, and your yard will thank you. As with puppy training, conditioning will take hold eventually and your dog will be able to correct naughty behavior.

Clicker Training - A Great Training Technique

You want to teach your dog acceptable behavior in a gentle, humane way. Many people have found success with the clicker method.

Operant conditioning is the repetition of a behavior when a reward is given. This is the premise behind clicker training. How does it work?

You hold a small plastic box in your hand. It has a metal strip which produces a clicking sound when pressed.

The key to clicker training is to teach your dog to associate the click with the reward, such as a biscuit. After your dog successfully performs a command, you click. Offer the treat at the same time.

This teaches your dog to connect the behavior with the click. Since the click is associated with the treat, he'll be more apt to perform the good behavior. Eventually, you can phase out the treat, and he will respond to the click. After successful training, you won't need the clicker either.

Clicking is immediate. Dogs need to know exactly what they are being praised for, and the clicking sound helps let them know. This is why the clicker method is so effective for training.

Your dog really wants to make you proud. Using the clicker method is a great way to teach your dog in an effective and humane manner.