How To Stop Your Dog From Digging

Are you troubled by dogs’ penchant for digging holes? In fact, digging is a natural behavior for many dogs. No matter your dog is trying to escape, burying toys, or just looking for a way to pass the time, finding the reason for their digging is the first step to solve it. In this article, we will explore why dogs dig, how to stop them from digging and what not to do if your dog is digging.

1.Why Does My Dog Dig in the Yard?

Actually, digging is an instinctive canine behavior rather than a bad behavior. But knowing the goal of your dogs’ digging behavior is very important for stopping them from digging. There are several reasons dogs may dig. The following lists the most common causes:

1.1 Instincts

The truth is that all dogs dig to some extent - especially breeds like Terriers, Dachshunds, Huskies, which are natural diggers bred for hunting or burrowing.

1.2Comfort

When it’s hot outside, dogs often dig into the cool ground to cool themselves off. Dogs with thick coats, like the Siberian Husky, which are bred for cold climates, often display this behavior more frequently. Additionally, some pregnant or female dogs may dig to prepare a “nest.”

1.3Boredom and Anxiety

The most common reason dogs dig holes is for relieving boredom and anxiety. Usually, chronic digging means that your dog doesn’t get enough physical activity or mental stimulation.

1.4Hiding or Burying Treasures

Some dogs are passionate about digging to hide or bury treasures, such as a treat or a favorite toy.

1.5Escape Attempts

If your dog feels compelled to leave your yard, he usually digs along fences or gates trying to escape confinement or chase something outside the yard. This may happen if they’re unneutered and sense another dog in heat.

2.How To Stop Your Dog From Digging up Your Yard

We have learned about the reason dogs dig holes, it seems that stopping a dog from digging holes is extremely difficult. While there are some ways to minimize dogs digging in your yard.

2.1Increase Your Dog’s Mental and Physical Exercise

The research shows that when dogs don’t get enough stimulation, they may dig in the yard out of boredom. Therefore, you need to increase mental and physical exercise for your dog. For instance, you can play some puzzle games with your dogs, such as outward hound hide-a-squirrel, snuffle mat, treat-dispensing balls and so on. Besides that, you can also play games that tap into your dog’s inner athlete, such as tug-of-war with rules, fetch with a twist, agility training and so on.

2.2 Give Your Dog Something To Do

If your dog must spend some time outside unsupervised, you need to provide him with toys rather than leaving him to find his own busy work. And you’d better to give your dog a variety of rubber treat toys that are safe for him to use alone. In this way, your dog will be engaged with something that will keep him constructively occupied so he doesn’t resort to digging.

2.3Make a Dig Pit

For some dogs - like Terriers, Dachshunds, Huskies, which are natural diggers bred for hunting or burrowing - completely removing this hardwired survival behavior is nearly impossible. You just need to direct your dog to an acceptable spot in the yard instead. In this way, you can create a dig pit by simply designating a spot in the yard and encouraging your dog to use it by hiding treats and toys there—or go a step further and build a sandbox filled with buried surprises.

2.4Provide Appropriate Outdoor Cooling

We mentioned earlier that sometimes dogs dig because they are trying to cool down, the soil beneath the surface stays at an ideal temperature. So if your dog is always digging in the yard in summer days, provide him with plenty of water and shade to keep them cool.

2.5Fortify Your Fence Line

Some unneutered dogs dig under fence for finding another dogs, it’s usually unsafe for them. Therefore, keeping your dog in the yard is important. You can install an in-ground fence barrier along the entire perimeter.

3.What NOT To Do if Your Dog Is Digging

Even though dog’s digging behavior may make you annoyed, there are some things you should avoid. Firstly, you need to avoid punishing them after they’ve already dug a hole. Because yelling or physical correction only creates fear and confusion, not learning. Secondly, you can’t fill holes without addressing the cause. The reason is that if your dog is digging out of boredom, stress, or instinct, he’ll just find a new spot. Thirdly, you can’t use harmful deterrents, such as pepper, ammonia, or buried objects to stop digging. In this way, you will harm your dog’s health and trust in you. Fourthly, don’t leave your dog unsupervised for long periods. Becasue dogs often dig when they’re left alone too long with nothing to do.

Digging is a common behavior for dogs. Although completely eliminating this act is nearly impossible, we can reduce this behavior with some methods, such as increasing dog’s mental and physical exercise, making a dig pit or provide appropriate outdoor cooling. Once you know the reason dogs dig holes in the yard, you can take effective measures.