Digging wholes

Question
Hello. I have a problem with my puppy Misty. She is a 2.5 month old labrador and she keeps digging wholes in the garden. I have read that dogs may do this simply cause they are bored or they are just looking for bones. I also have another dog and they play alot together, plus i try to give her as many toys as possible to keep her occupied, but she isnt very intrested in them. Could you give me any advise on what to do before she destroys the whole garden. Many Thanks. Noemi Rand

Answer
Training a dog out of digging holes is very difficult.  The best thing is to deny it access to the area.  I have a separate fence the keeps my dogs out of our garden.  Digging has been less of a problem than just running through it when friends come to play.  

Fence off the garden, and she may start digging in the lawn.  I limit that by keeping the puppies inside when I am not around or asleep.  I preserve the house and dog by crating it.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away.  The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for
dogs to open too.  Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select
a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.