CAUTION: YOUR DOG MAY BE A DIGGING HAZARD

It’s very canine of your dog to dig. After all, the image of a dog burying its bone is a common one. Your dog’s innate talent for turning your lawn into a cratered lunar landscape is lovely, but it’s not their cutest trick.

If your furry pal has taken on the role of chief earth-mover and destroyed your flowerbeds, it’s time to devise a plan of action. Here, therefore, is our tutorial on how to prevent Fido from destroying your landscape.

WHY DO DOGS DIG?

Dogs dig for a wide variety of causes and it is a natural and instinctual behaviour for them.

Similar to how kids might spend hours happily digging holes on the beach, your dog may just like the activity of digging. Some dogs use digging to relieve stress and tension. Some canines actually do act like the stereotypical dog that tries to conceal bones. Other dogs may be digging to investigate the source of the noises coming from below them, where they believe insects, rats, or other creatures may be hiding.

While digging is a common canine behaviour, it can be a nuisance for owners. The good news is that you can put an end to your dog’s garden destruction once and for all if you can determine the underlying cause of their digging behaviour.

HOW TO STOP A DOG FROM DIGGING

If your dog has a habit of digging holes, you can discourage him from doing so by

Encourage physical activity and mental stimulation.
Limit access, and discourage digging to discourage unwanted explorers.
Prevent unauthorised trenching
Establish a secure digging area.
Ensure your dog has a cool, shady spot to rest.
Stop any possible escape
I don’t see how these will prevent your dog from digging, though. Why don’t we find out?

PROVIDE EXERCISE AND ENRICHMENT

Digging is a great way for dogs to release energy while also having fun. Digging is an appealing and entertaining physical activity for many dogs, especially those who are bored or who don’t receive enough exercise elsewhere.

Giving your dog more mental and physical stimulation is the first step in preventing it from digging up your garden.

A longer walk or an extra short walk each day may be beneficial. You might even start a sport with your dog, such as flyball or agility, or play an energetic game like fetch with them.

Physical activity is great, but so is mental training. One of the best and simplest ways to increase your dog’s physical and mental stimulation is to enrol them in training classes and teach them some new tricks. To keep children occupied, you can either purchase toys to solve a puzzle or make your own. Mentally stimulating your dog can be as easy as substituting a Kong for a bowl when serving their Pure mealtime.

MAKE DIGGING DIFFICULT

The majority of canines have a certain site in the yard where they enjoy to dig, and they tend to stick to that area. You can try to prevent them from digging by placing heavy pebbles on top of the area they often dig in or by laying down plastic chicken wire in that area. Rather than using metal chicken wire, which might injure your dog’s paws and claws, choose for plastic instead.

You can also try burying citrus peels where your dog likes to dig. An orange peel placed in the dog’s favourite hole may be all that’s needed to discourage the dog from digging there. Certainly there.

Although filling in the holes with stones or wire will keep your dog from digging there, it will not teach them to stop digging altogether. The dog may simply find another spot to dig in.

If your dog has a digging problem, you should combine this approach with training to address the underlying cause of the behaviour and keep providing extra enrichment and exercise to see if that helps.

BANISH UNWELCOME VISITORS

For professional assistance, call pest control if your dog is digging to access subsurface pests like mice, squirmy bugs, or other small creatures. A dog with a strong instinct to hunt will continue to dig as long as it suspects the presence of unwanted visitors.

Even so, it’s important to let your dog’s boundless energy out in some way. To channel your dog’s natural prey drive in a constructive direction, consider earthdog trials or scent games. The added mental and physical stimulation will reduce their craving for garden foraging. Training to discourage your dog from digging should also be maintained.

CREATE A SAFE DIG SPOT

It’s important to provide a secure area for your dog to dig in, as this is a natural behaviour for them and may be a great source of exercise and play.

Get a sandpit or a paddling pool and fill it with sand or dirt for your dog to dig in if you have the space in your yard. DIY enthusiasts can make their own dig patch in the same manner they would grow vegetables. (Don’t forget to keep the plants outside!)

Although, you should still keep an eye on your dog when he or she is digging and show them where it is acceptable and inappropriate to dig.

You should try to encourage your dog to dig in the area you have designated for that purpose. Stop them if you find them digging in the wrong part of the garden, then guide them to their designated digging area and reward them when they return there.

DISCOURAGE UNWANTED DIGGING

It’s up to you to train your dog not to dig if you don’t have the room to install a secure dig area in your garden.

Keep your dog under close supervision at all times while outside, and perhaps even on a leash at first. If they start digging, just tell them to stop and then lead them away. The next step is to try to divert their attention away from digging by providing them with an alternative activity, such as playing with a favourite toy.

You could also try calling your dog away if you see it digging. If they stop digging and come to you, be sure to shower them with compliments and give them appropriate prizes.

The aim is to show your dog that digging is not acceptable behaviour and give them an alternative to digging.

PROVIDE PLENTY OF SHADE

The dogs will dig holes to make a cooler spot for themselves to rest. If you notice that your dog has been digging in the garden in search of a cooler space to relax, provide him or her an accessible and comfortable alternative. Shade your dog with an umbrella or provide a shallow paddling pool for him to cool off in.

STOP THEM FROM HOARDING

If your dog has developed the bad habit of digging holes in your garden to bury their food or a favourite toy, you can break the habit by preventing your dog from entering the garden with any food or toys. If they are forbidden from going outdoors with their loot, then they will have no way to bury it.

Any other digging behaviour should be discouraged in the same way while training them.

PREVENT ESCAPE ATTEMPTS

If your dog is digging because he or she is suffering from acute separation anxiety or because he or she wants to escape to find a partner, it might be more challenging to deal with the behaviour. You can prevent your dog from burrowing under the fence by extending it underground, or you can keep them under close watch when they’re in the garden on a leash or in the house.

To stop your dog from digging, consult your veterinarian or a canine behaviourist. You can use them to overcome problems like your dog being anxious or wandering away. If your dog’s escape attempts appear to be motivated by a desire to reproduce, your veterinarian may recommend neutering or spaying.

Additionally, boundary training may help your woofer feel more at ease in your home and less motivated to wander off.

DON’T PUNISH YOUR DOG’S DIGGING

Do not reprimand your dog despite your frustration with his or her digging. Scolding or punishing your dog won’t solve the problem of why he or she is digging. In addition, unless you catch your dog in the act, they won’t understand why you’re scolding them; in this instance, it’s best to divert their attention and offer them something constructive to do.

They’ll learn not to dig and what to do instead at the same time thanks to the training they receive.

As you can see, there are a wide variety of causes for your dog to dig and approaches to preventing this behaviour. But with any luck, you’ll be able to train your dog to stop digging up the garden and get your yard as good as new by following these suggestions!

Always feel free to consult our vet or a canine behaviourist if you’re at a loss to explain or stop your dog’s digging.