| “MY GARDEN!” “THE FRESH GRASS!” “BAD DOG!” Any of these lines sound familiar? I thought so, lets dive into some background on why dogs dig and some training tips on getting it to stop. Why do dogs dig holes? Dogs are den animals in their natural habit. Almost in the same sense as a bear or wolf. In the wild, packs and lone dogs will look for their own den to – sleep, seek shelter, hide away food or items from surrounding competition, or for having babies. Humans since the beginning of time have domesticated dogs to be loyal guardians for their family and loving pets. Where it is most common to use a kennel for a containment room your dog at convenient times, dogs will still have this instinct to dig. To add, there are scent glands on the bottom of a dog’s feet so digging is another way for them to mark their territory. This wards away the possibility for predators and other animals to come and disturb the marked area. Boredom. One of the most common answers to the question of why dogs dig holes is that it is just plain fun. Dogs are social beings that thrive on interaction and mental challenges. Dogs left on their own for too long, without ways to remain occupied, will often turn to digging. Separation anxiety. When the dog is left alone, this can be a usual motivation for digging along with other destructive behaviors. Dogs with separation anxiety need a way to channel their negative emotions into something productive. Dogs can become quite obsessive about digging, it is a stress reliever. Trying to Escape: Dogs may dig to escape from a confined space out of anxiety or because they’re simply curious about what’s on the other side of the fence. Dogs who dig along the fence line may be attempting to escape. If escaping attempts are to find a mate, this could be helped by having them desexed. Comfort and protection. Dogs are innovative and resourceful, and they may dig a hole to cool themselves in the soil in hot weather or to seek protection from the elements. Attention. Any behavior can become attention seeking. If dogs learn that they receive attention for engaging in it (even punishment is a form of attention) they will continue. Your dog may act out especially if they are feeling bored, anxious, or lonely. HOW TO STOP YOUR PUP FROM DIGGING Designated Digging Area. If you want to allow your dog to continue digging, but not all over your lawn, you can create a designated spot for your dog to dig. This area can be part of your yard which you till to create looser soil or sand, or you can even purchase a sandbox that is dedicated for your digging pup. You can bury toys in the sand to give them something fun to find. Getting your dog to exclusively dig in the zone you set aside for them may require training. Use rewards and praise after each time they dig in their area. If you catch them digging in an off-limits area, promptly say “no” and direct them to their digging region. Restraint. Using a Tie Out cable to keep your dog in smaller area of your yard is a simple solution that’s most effective with dogs who love to dig in specific places such as near the fence line or near a tree or plant. Tie them in an area where they can’t reach their go-to digging spot. If your dog digs wherever, this solution won’t be helpful. More Playtime/Exercise. Tiring your dog out with healthy amounts of physical activity can result in a lower chance of backyard digging, especially for dog’s who are high energy. Lack of exercise is one of the leading causes of behavioral problems and could be the reason your dog is digging. Set aside time to walk your dog at least twice daily. Play with active toys such as balls and fetch toys. Adding stimulation enrichment toys to your dog’s daily routine is extremely beneficial when dealing with boredom and high energy dogs. Taking time each day to play with your dog also gives them the attention they desire, and they’ll be less likely to seek your attention using destructive behavior. More Backyard Entertainment. One simple way to cure your dog’s boredom and divert their digging is by providing loads of fun toys for them to play with while in your backyard. Chew toys, interactive toys, and toys with treats inside are particularly effective because they keep your dog entertained while you’re away, especially when there’s a yummy reward involved. Be sure to rotate which toys you keep outside to keep your pup interested. Adequate Shelter. If your dog is outside often, make sure they have an outdoor dog kennel or doghouse that provides the right amount of protection and comfort for the current season. In the summer months, make sure your dog has a safe, shady place to cool off in their shelter, or you can easily hang a tarp from a few trees to provide a shady area in your backyard. Make sure they have access to water as well. This will eliminate the possibility of them digging for a cool spot to lay or for a water source. You can even get a small pool for your pup and fill it with cold water on hot days. In the winter months and during rainy days, you want to make sure your dog has an area where they can be covered from the weather and where they can stay warm. If they don’t have this, they’ll potentially seek it by digging a hole. Make sure their shelter has straw, a bed, or a blanket to keep warm in cold temperatures. In extreme weather conditions, bring your dog indoors to ensure they’re happy and healthy. Deterrents. When dogs dig, they will be sniffing the dirt. Spreading a smelly scent on their digging site is enough to deter them from it. Some recommended scents include red cayenne pepper, vinegar, or citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruit. Planting Prickly Plants/Shrubs in their usual digging area is also helpful. A variety of landscaping materials will provide you with a physical barrier to avoid digging. You can place large rocks over holes that are along the bottom of fence lines to deter digging in that area. You can place small rocks, particularly flat ones, crushed gravel, or mulch with large wood chips in your dog’s holes or in areas where they normally dig. Dogs prefer to dig in soft soil so using these materials can deter them from digging. You can even use stone pavers to cover your dog’s digging grounds if that layout fits with your current backyard setup. Supervision and direct intervention. (verbal reprimand, water sprayer, e-collar can be used to prevent improper digging in the owner’s presence but will not stop the behavior in the owner’s absence. When you are not able to supervise your dog, housing the dog indoors or in a kennel is the most practical solution until your pup has learned to stay outdoors without digging. If you would like to continue to leave your dog outdoors, it is best to keep the dog to an area that has no access to the digging areas; like a dog run or pen. The area should be inescapable, it could be covered with gravel, patio tiles or have an asphalt or concrete floor so that your dog cannot escape or do damage. “Emily, I have tried all the above and my dog is still digging! What now?” While the best way to stop a dog from digging is to redirect their focus to something positive, sometimes it’s not enough. If your dog’s digging is excessive and you’re not finding the solution, first and foremost take a visit to your veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions that could trigger your dog to have obsessive digging behavior. After authorization from your vet, I recommend consulting a canine behavior professional or dog trainer for assistance. |
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The dirt on how to stop your dogs from digging!
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be actually something which I think I would never understand.
It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me.
I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the
hang of it!