Just wanted some thoughts on this, wasn't sure which topic I should post under-

My two get to stay in my fenced back yard between the time I leave for work and when I come home for lunch (at which point they're left loose in the house until I get home at the end of the day). Since the temp went up this spring, one of them has been digging in two of the shady spots in the yard; he digs himself out a little dog-size "nest" under the trees in the shade and lies in the cool dirt.

This is totally not a big deal to me... however one of this spots happens to be at the fence-line between me and my neighbor. The trees there were allowed to grow up through and around the fence so that I can't remove the trees (nor do I want to since they provide shade) without ripping apart the fence, and I can't replace the fence (with something like a privacy fence) without having to install it around all of the trees, lol.

My question is following said neighbors bringing home a new kitten... Now the dog was digging out his cool spots before the kitten arrived, but the neighbor kids mentioned this weekend that they were concerned that the dog was digging along the fence and are afraid that he wants to dig under so he can eat "tiger" (the kitten, who still fits in the palm of your hand)... I tried to explain that he's only looking for a cool spot, but as dogs do, he likes to watch the unattended tiger playing in their back yard through the fence, and my explanation didn't convince them.

I keep filling in dixon's dog-nest just in case- but are there any signs I can watch for that he is actually trying to dig underneath the fence instead of making himself a cool spot? The thought of him getting into their yard with two young kids is pretty scary (although I don't think they'd do any harm)- but to be honest I don't really think he's trying to get out. Nor do I think he's bored btw- they have plenty of toys and he doesn't dig anywhere but the two really shady spots.

Sorry so long-

Here's a rough idea; if you've not already done so, consider getting two "doggie igloos" from the local pet supply shop. Put these in the shady spots.

Another, more extensive solution, would be to extend the fence below the surface of the ground by some 3-5 feet. This is rather extreme, but should do the trick.

Luck!
-J

My pup likes to DIG, but he also likes to lay in the cool earth of the freshly dug hole... other than "spiking" the refilled hole with dog turd (per a Leerburg video) ... I'm not sure what you can do there.

I have the same fence situation as you, but fortunately I haven't had a digger yet.

Maybe if extending the fence underground isn't an option, you could place patio stones along the areas where you think he may dig under.

It would be a better world if people kept their cats indoors. At least their cat is staying on their property (for now). I have constant cat problems. If I wanted a cat pooping in my flowers, I'd let my own cat outdoors. {end of rant)

I can dig down and extend the fence... I guess I just really don't want to go to all of that trouble if he's not actually digging to get under- I'm just trying to figure out if he really wants to get under, or if that just happens to be where he likes to dig. Does that make sense?

As a side note (and I mean this seriously, not trying to be rude here) do those igloos really keep cool? All I could picture was a tiny igloo shaped oven when I saw them...

Angela- I completely agree. "Tiger" runs amok in my front yard. What really worries me are two things- this cat has not been spayed/neutered, and I really doubt he's ever been or will ever go to the vet. I think he's way too small to be running around outside without supervision besides.

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Angela- I completely agree. "Tiger" runs amok in my front yard. What really worries me are two things- this cat has not been spayed/neutered, and I really doubt he's ever been or will ever go to the vet. I think he's way too small to be running around outside without supervision besides.

You have hit a sore spot with me I respect cats for somehow avoiding being trained at all and getting fed and being able to do what ever they want!!

Nobody puts their cat to sleep when it bites someone (repeatedly)!

Nobody calls the pound to have unconfined/unleashed/unfixed cats removed from the neighbourhood!

These cats realy have things figured out

When the kitten ventures into your yard to start to poop in the dug up areas, and heaven forbid one of your dogs goes after it in YOUR yard, the neighbour will be mad at YOU!

Female cats get prego rediculously young...everyone wants their cat to have kittens because they are sooooo cute (well they are cute). They always intend to get the cat fixed but the cat is usually pregnant again by then.....

It is way easier to be a unresponsible cat owner than dog owner IMHO. Society accepts it better.

P.S. I do know lots of responsible cat owners, but we are pretty much overrun by the non responsible type around here.

Okay rant complete

Back to the OP.

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I can dig down and extend the fence... I guess I just really don't want to go to all of that trouble if he's not actually digging to get under- I'm just trying to figure out if he really wants to get under, or if that just happens to be where he likes to dig. Does that make sense?

Does the dog always just lay down in the dug up spot? How deep is it? Lots of dogs dig cooling holes to lay in, but if they are starting to dig down quite far and it seems more for fun, I would probably put an end to it.

Carolyn,

My Bloodhound is digging out cool spots also. I do not think he is smart enough to know he is right next to the fence however, I am afraid he may roll under it and get caught......so I bought those flat concrete paving stones and placed them up against the fence on the inside and then packed dirt around them.

I think it cost me right around $30 and some sweat since it is in the 100's here.

One of the ways I've fixed fences and kennels from dogs that like to dig out is to roll about a 2 ft. peice of fencing (something a little bigger than chicken wire, like the rectangular shaped wire) under the fence so the fence straddles this piece, and stake it down well. This will stop all the digging around the fence.

We just lined our fence with small cut up tree trunks. Sort of fits in with the rustic decor we have going on. You could use rocks, too. The expense was zero...just some sweat equity.

The problem we had with digging for cool spots is that Carbon learned that it was fun to dig holes, even when he wasn't hot. He likes to make the hole bigger and then drop balls or Kongs or Cuz's in there and try to dig them out. It sucks when you discover these holes for the first time in the dark.

Seriously, dropping a dog turd or two in there really seems to work! But then you REALLY don't want to fall into them in the dark.

As far as cats go...what's that saying?

Dogs say, "They feed me, they take care of my needs, they love me. They must be gods."

Cats say, "They feed me, they take care of my needs, they love me. I must be a god."

I also used the paver idea. My little one would dig the smallest spot needed to wiggle under the fence, then mysteriously meet me on the trail back in the woods. I buried cinder blocks under the fence and packed the dirt back in. End of problem.