How to Discourage Your Dog From Digging

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     Imagine looking over your backyard, and finding several small craters in your lawn. The dirt from each crater has been messily dug up, and is now loosely thrown near the holes. Your dog has been digging. If you ever plan to admire your yard again, you need to find a way to stop him from doing so. The question is, how?

Canines dig for many reasons. Successfully curbing the behavior (and saving your yard!) depends on identifying the reason, and addressing it directly. In this article, we'll take you through some of the factors that motivate dogs to dig. We'll also provide a few ideas for addressing each trigger.

The Search For Mental Stimulation

If your pet is left alone at home for long periods throughout the day, and he lacks toys with which he can play, he will become bored. He'll look for something that will entertain him. For example, he may dig in your garden to play with the roots and bugs that lie underneath the topsoil. He might also dig up your flowers and plants to play with them.

First, give him a few toys (two or three is sufficient). Buy others, and rotate them to prevent your canine from becoming bored with them. Second, take him for a walk each morning. If time allows, take him for another during the evening. This will help him burn off energy. Third, create a special digging area for him, and bury small toys for him to find (make sure they're big enough to prevent him from swallowing them).

The Search For Prey

Dogs love to chase other animals. Sometimes, they do it for play. Other times, they do it to chase prey (for example, a squirrel at a park). Canines rarely want to kill the prey they chase; they merely want to catch it. If you notice digging in a specific spot in your yard, there's a good chance your pet is trying to catch a small animal or bug.

The best way to address this issue is to make your yard unappealing to the rodents or bugs your dog is trying to catch. Think twice before using pesticides or other toxic chemicals since they can be harmful to your pet. Use repellents when possible.

He Wants Your Attention

Dogs occasionally dig when they want the attention of their owners. They realize their owners will likely yell at them (or worse), but even punishment qualifies as attention to them.

If your dog digs in your presence, it likely means he wants you to play with him. Don't yell at him since doing so will "reward" him for the behavior. Instead, make sure you're spending plenty of time with your canine each day.

Seeking Shelter From The Weather

Your dog gets hot easily because he is unable to sweat efficiently like a person. For this reason, he'll look for someplace cool to rest in warm weather. If your yard lacks shade, he might dig to find cool soil in which he can lie.

First, provide a well-ventilated doghouse that offers shelter from the sun. Second, make sure your canine has easy access to drinking water. If his bowl is dry when you return home, leave him with a larger supply the following day.

Your Canine Wants To Escape

There are times when dogs dig in order to escape. This can occur for several reasons. For example, they may be motivated to escape due to fear of their owners; they might suffer from separation anxiety, and want to reunite with their owners; or a series of loud noises may prompt your dog to start digging.

Eliminating your canine's temptation to escape depends on identifying and addressing the reason behind it. Until you're able to do so, plant chicken wire in the digging area. If he is trying to dig under your fence, bury it a couple of feet into the soil.

Canine digging is particularly frustrating for owners because it can severely damage their yards. Curbing the behavior starts with figuring out why your pet is doing it in the first place.