How do i stop my 4 month german shepherd from digging? - Page 1

Good luck with that...

Sometimes they outgrow it, and sometimes (as the owner of a really determined digger!) they don't.

There are a few thing you can try.

1) Keep an eye on the dog at all times when it is outside, and stop it the moment it starts to dig.

2) Fence off a corner of the yard, and have that as the designated digging area. When the dog tries to dig up the lawn of flower bed, tell it 'no!' and take it to the designated area and encourage it to dig there.

You can only stop digging by catching the dog in the act of digging and correct then. You cannot correct the dog after-the-fact, because dogs cannot make the association of the digging with the correction after a period of time.
 

If you leave the dog unattended in the yard, and you don't want holes, then a kennel area with a dig-proof base (like paving/patio stones) is the only sure way.

As Koots says, your pup ought not to be left alone with
a surface it can dig; but this isn't an ideal world, and if
it is going to get the opportunity, the idea Sunsilver gives
you, to give the pup an area where he can express this
natural behaviour, is good. I have not done this myself
but I am told an extra that helps is to bury Kongs and
stuff in the dirt or sand in his new 'digging pit', so he looks
for them and learns it is more interesting to dig in that
corner than anywhere else in the garden !

WHY does he dig?

Out of boredom? - He needs something to do
Because he is excited? - You need to channalize this behavior to something else
He wants to hide something ( toy, bone, whatever ) ? - Give him a "cave"
He just has fun doing so? - Good luck...

Susie has it.

One suggestion - the ONLY good use for underground electric fencing is it sometimes can be used to protect your garden and prized flower areas. It is NOT advisable to replace regular fencing for merely confining a dog because a. A high drive dog or one under enough stimulus will break thru it b. it does not prevent other dogs or animals from coming into the area and attacking your dog. Either way you can end up with a dead or injured dog.

One of my shepherds years ago liked to "bury" things but did it in boxes, closets, under rugs etc. Made life interesting finding her treasures.

I had an older breeder/trainer told me to take the dog's feces and put it where they like to dig. Cover shallowly. Supposedly they won't dig up their own feces. I've not yet tried it but I need to.

That might work, as long as you do it for a dog that does not
like eating their own ...

....trim his nails short.