>>Hello! I have some questions about how to stop my Irish Terrier's scratching problem. I realize that terriers are diggers, and it's just instintcual, but it needs to stop! Murph likes to scratch the side of one of our couches. She usually does this while someone's watching T.V. unstead of paying attention to her. I'll get up out of my chair, and approach her, and then she'll stop and run off. What can I do to at least lessen this scratching, and what should I do when she starts doing this? I can't ignore her, because she would dig a hole in the couch! Thanks! :-D
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>>-SpookyScales
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Best bet for a behavior like this is to find her oh, about a half-dozen other things she can do, and get her really interested in them. Teach her words for all of them. What behaviors? Chewing a toy. Fetching a toy. Maybe, since she's a terrier, shaking a toy. Finding something for you (such as a toy). Use a variety of toys and give a name to each toy. Doing tricks to earn treats. Doing positions in place (Sit, Down, Stand) for big praise from you.
Whenever she does the unwanted behavior, interrupt her with the very least sharp sound or whatever it takes to just get her to momentarily stop, and then instantly switch her to another of your list of behaviors.
Terriers have a tendency to obsessive-compulsive behavior that can sometimes require medication. That's why I'm suggesting a variety of other behaviors rather than just one. By the way, one behavior NOT to include is chasing a laser light or flashlight. This is a fast-track to obsession with many terriers. Not a safe game for them.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com
