Digging

Question
We adopted a Malti-poo (we think) from the shelter. Great dog, great personality, but he won't stop digging. He is less than a year the vet said but pretty close. I've bought him chew toys, pig ears, etc. but all he does is take them to the backyard and bury them. Not sure what to do. Also he chews everything in sight in the backyard. He won't chew the bones and toys etc... instead he chews the malibu lights, the cords, he burys the chew stuff.

Also, he is basically house trained but seems to want to urinate in one room, but only when he and the cat are playing. Could this be a territory thing? How do I stop that. I have tried the stick the nose in it and put him outside, but that isn't working.

Answer
When you adopt from a municipal shelter, you often see the reason(s) the dog was there!  This might be the REASON.

I think the digging may be a demonstration of anxiety as it certainly isn't a problem behavior in either the Maltese or the Poodle.  Digging is a self rewarding behavior and it may have begun in response to some stimulus (moles, etc.) in his first home or environment.  Your dog may feel extremely anxious out in the yard, ESPECIALLY if you associate GOING OUT THERE with "punishment" (as you DO.)  Chewing "everything in sight" may be the result of anxiety and/or boredom; he is burying his "trophies" to "protect" them, and that also tells me he's anxious.  You have no idea what might have been done to this young dog in his former home (multiple dog household, young children, being left outside alone a great deal, etc.) but you CAN correct what YOU are doing to contribute to his behavior.  Rubbing a dog's nose in urine and throwing him outdoors makes him LOSE TRUST in you.  He has NO IDEA what's going on except that you are behaving in an unpredictable (to a dog) and unfair (to a dog) manner, thereby making you untrustworthy (and forcing him to protect his trophy objects.)

You must put this dog outdoors ONLY to urinate/defecate or when you plan to GO OUT with him for play time or to reward appropriate elimination.  DO NOT PUT HIM OUT THERE BY HIMSELF FOR MORE THAN FIFTEEN MINUTES.  Do not allow him to take his "trophies" (pigs ears, chewies, etc.) out of the house.  If you see a toy object outdoors, go out and bring it back into the house.  Observe him closely while he is outdoors; when he eliminates appropriately, praise him (from inside unless you have gone out with him) and then call him back indoors and reward him with a small treat AND one of his "trophies".  He will soon learn that these toy objects belong INSIDE and he will also begin to perceive going out (either to eliminate or play with you) as NOT anxiety provoking, but rewarding.  You can further develop his sense of reward at going out by introducing some play training out there for brief periods each day or several times a week.  Here's one site that discusses it: http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/obedience.html

As for his urination indoors, it's possible that playing with the cat creates so much stimulation that the dog "forgets" and follows his urge to eliminate.  Observe the dog closely during these play episodes.  Most male dogs will sidle up to an object (wall, furniture) before actually lifting a leg to urinate.  If he interrupts or stops his play with the cat and begins to demonstrate that behavior, clap your hands to get his attention (should stop him from actually eliminating) and TAKE HIM outdoors and wait until he urinates, then praise lavishly, offer a treat and bring him back inside.