My sister actually got our dog (Doja) when I lived with my dad and not her and my mom. So unfortunately Doja was untrained. When I returned I brought my dog who dug like no other, and Doja picked up the habit. She eventually moved back up with my dad.

My first problem is Doja doesn't come willingly. I have a 4 year old nephew who lives with us and he randomly comes out during out training. Doja will instantly run to him and leaves in the middle of training. Then when I call he looks at me and returns to my nephew. Unfortunately my nephew praises this. (He has a nasty habit of doing the OPPOSITE of what I want him to do)

My dogs biggest problem though, is that he digs. We have a acre back yard but Doja doesn't like being alone back there (We're really busy and unable to spend a lot of time with him). He runs to our fence and now there is a huge hole under it. I've actually ended up putting cinder blocks in it to get him to stay in and unable to get out, but its only a certain amount of time before he'll dig another hole.
Help?

I'm not sure what to do because my dogs do it to. When they do dig I yell no and if that doesn't work I tap him on the nose (barely). And he will look up and I will say no. He stops but he will start again when I leave and I will yell out the window for him to stop. He has stopped doing it but still every once and again does it ut not often . HOPE IT HELPS!!!

First your nephew: He's a four year old boy. He's longing for a dog of his own to be his friend and confidant. You may not be gung-ho on this idea, but the best way to elicit your nephew's cooperation is to re-direct him by involving and including him in your dog's training. Teach him how to train your dog. Obviously, the dog loves him, and has recall down pat when the boy calls. So teach the boy how to get other types of behaviors out of the dog. It will raise your nephew's level of respect and admiration for you, improve his own sense of self-worth and accomplishment, and ultimately, will achieve the end result you are looking for: a well-behaved dog.

Now the digging: Either purchase a child's sandbox for your dog, and put his toys/chew bones out there, or reserve a space/planter in the garden just for him. Encourage him to dig there. When you see him digging in inappropriate places, give him a mild scruff shake, growl, say "no," and re-direct him to his own digging spot. It only took a couple of weeks to stop my dog's digging up all of my plants this way. And of course, walking him vigorously every single day will help to curb his wanderlust, which is probably what is making him want to tunnel under the fence.

Well my nephew is the one who is always out there with him. He feels like he owns Doja

As for his digging, he doesn't dig for fun, he digs to get out

Well, there ya go then. Teach your nephew how to train "his" dog. It will make the little boy VERY happy. And if you are already walking Doja, see if you can walk him more than you already are. Lots of exercise, in a variety of different routes, (and some off-lead running in an enclosed park area, if possible) will help curb his wanderlust immensely. Also-- I don't know what kind of landscaping you have, but we have river rock in my yard. It is very hard on a dog's paws, so discourages digging real quick. If there is any way your mom can manage it, I recommend you get some, at least to put along the edges of the fence, if nowhere else.

Originally Posted by ITrumpet

Well my nephew is the one who is always out there with him. He feels like he owns Doja

As for his digging, he doesn't dig for fun, he digs to get out

The boy spends time with the dog and you are surprised and upset that the dog ignores you and goes to the boy? Please. That dog knows who it's real human is--that boy. If you want to be the dog's human, start acting the part. Start by taking the dog for daily walks--long walks. The dog is digging to escape a boring life--you have to make it unboring. You also need to start spending time with the dog. Are you training on or off-leash? Sounds like you need to work on on-leash training before you expect the dog to be reliable off-leash. What training technique are you using?

Originally Posted by Frecs

The boy spends time with the dog and you are surprised and upset that the dog ignores you and goes to the boy? Please. That dog knows who it's real human is--that boy. If you want to be the dog's human, start acting the part. Start by taking the dog for daily walks--long walks. The dog is digging to escape a boring life--you have to make it unboring. You also need to start spending time with the dog. Are you training on or off-leash? Sounds like you need to work on on-leash training before you expect the dog to be reliable off-leash. What training technique are you using?

I have been training him to fetch/come off a leash, and yes, I do walk my dog =]

Originally Posted by ITrumpet

I have been training him to fetch/come off a leash, and yes, I do walk my dog =]

Did you teach it on-leash first? Don't go off-leash until it is 95% reliable on-leash.

How long/far do you walk the dog EVERY DAY????

my weim dug for a year. we tried everything. finally we decided to use one of his holes for his waste one day. he did not go back there. he dug somewhere else, we put more of his waste there. now he doesn't dig anymore and he is 4 years old. read this for more info
How to Stop Your Dog From Digging | eHow.com