These dogs are the ones that need to be stopped for their own safety. Escaping a fenced yard a dog is exposed to the hazards of automobiles, unwanted pregnancies, shotguns of upset neighbors, animal control as well as many contagious diseases. Physical punishments such as hitting with a rolled up newspaper or belt, hard yanks on a collar or harsh verbal attacks can often cause additional problems. These problems can include a destruction of the pet and owner bond as well as teaching the dog fear. Once the dog learns you are likely to hit or yell at him when he comes to you, he will stop.
Prevention is the key to stopping a dog s digging problem.
If the dog is digging to escape confinement, try concrete or wire mesh buried under the fence where he is getting out. There are also underground fences that give a mild electric shock when the pet gets close to the property boundaries. Some owners have found hot wires to be affective. These can be purchased at most home improvement or hardware stores. They consist of a transformer that plugs into a typical electrical outlet, wire that carries the current and insulators that attach to fence posts.