Dog Digging Problems – How to Train Your Dog to Stop Digging

Your dog is a digger. She’s put holes in your garden, she’s put holes in your yard, she’s put holes in the neighbor’s yard and you just can’t seem to figure out why. Dogs and all canines are diggers by nature, it’s a behavior that can be traced back to their oldest ancestors, but that doesn’t mean a little training can’t solve the problem.

There are a number of reasons as to why a dog will dig. Digging behaviors can be traced back to the dog’s ancestry – wolves who use the skill for survival purposes.

Caching

Most canines like to cache things. In the wild this is typically food, and if a wolf or other canine has too much food on hand, it often gets buried in a special spot that he will remember. This is useful during period where food is more difficult to find. Having extra food stored for raining days is a good habit for them.
Your dog may decide to bury food in a cache, but it could just as easily be anything at all that your dog has decided to treasure: a favorite toy, an old bone, even a stolen shoe.

In fact, some dogs may decide to hide things that they might have stolen simply as a game.

Hot and Cold Issues

Dogs, certain breeds in particular, can be very sensitive to temperature. A long haired snow dog might get over warm in the summer heat and so dig a hole in the shade to cool off in. The earth a few inches down is often much cooler than the surface which is heated by the sun.

Short haired dogs may feel the cold much more than others and so might dig down a bit into the ground. This gives them a slightly more insulated place to lie down and shields them from the wind.

Separation Anxiety

Dogs with separation problems may try feverishly to dig out of any enclosure to get back to their owner. The frenzied nature which often accompanies this type of digging can make this a dangerous task for your dog.

Hunting

Certain breeds of dogs have been bred to pursue small mammals. Terrier dogs are breed to hunt and may enjoy digging into animal holes to get their prey.

Fun

Most dogs just enjoy digging out of fun, tearing up your entire yard and leaving many little holes behind. This kind of digging is often accompanied by lots of galloping around and general canine merriment.

Before you even try to stop your dog digging behavior, you might want to think and figure out why he dig in the first place. Most of these types of digging come with fairly obvious indicators, so it shouldn’t take much time before you have your answer.

For a dog that caches treats and treasures, the simplest way is to not give out these treats and treasures unless your dog will finish them or else is indoors. Failing this, it’s possible to designate a special place in the yard just for digging. You can bury some of his favorite treats in this special spot and encourage him to dig and retrieve them. You may need to work with the dog for a bit before he’ll understand that the digging pit is the only spot for digging, and this is best done by simply distracting your dog from digging elsewhere and redirecting him to the digging area.

A dog that is trying to keep himself comfortable due to the climate should always be given in to. Provide a hot dog with shade and a nice cool surface. Dogs like to lay spread out on hard surfaces that stay cool in the shade such as concrete or metal. Provide plenty of water, and perhaps even a kiddy pool for the dog to cool off in.

Dogs that love to dig for fun can be trained to dig on allocated digging area. You may also choose to fence off areas you would not like to be dug in. Some dog trainers suggest leaving your dog’s feces in the holes, though unless your dog is digging repeatedly in a single spot, this is not much of a deterrent. Distracting your dog and rewarding him when he stops digging may be your best option.

www.3lostdogs.com Follow me on Twitter twitter.com Wondering how to stop your dog from digging holes all over your yard? Watch this video to discover a surprisingly simple solution. Music by Jason Shaw at Audionautix.com.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

More Dog Digging Problems Articles

Understanding Dog Digging

Why Do Dogs Dig?

Asking why dogs dig is almost like asking why they bark. Digging is part of a dogs nature, and so are sniffing, barking, and chewing. Dogs dig for several reasons. For some dogs, digging can be a pasttime. Digging can also be expected from dogs that are confined or isolated. Digging can be a favorable alternative activity when they get bored. Some dogs, however, dig purposefully. They can dig to bury objects. They can dig for food, whether it is to bury a bone, or take something that they previously buried. Weather can also push a dog to dig warming and cooling pits.

Solving the Digging Problem

Your dogs digging may not always be a bother for you, especially if your dog only dig once in a while, as long as it digs where appropriate. To contain dog digging only to what is appropriate and safe, you can provide your dog a special place where he can dig. This way, you can choose the spot and make sure that it is a safe place for the dog to spend a lot of time in. To teach your dog to dig in that spot, involve your pet as you prepare its own digging pit. Try to loosen up the soil so it will be easier for your dog to dig in that particular area. You can also make use of the dogs toys and other accessories. By making like you are burying the objects there for him to find, your dog will get the idea and start digging where he should. Do this activity over and over again until your dog learns where it is supposed to dig. If you see your dog digging in a different place other than the designated digging pit, catch his attention with a loud noise, and direct it towards the correct digging pit. You can also reinforce the behavior by praising your dog when it finds the right digging pit.

Controlling Your Dogs Digging

Digging cannot be completely prevented. Once in a while, you may find your dog digging. What you need to prevent is your dogs digging turning into a regular habit. If the digging turns into an extreme problem, you need to control it already. There is no surefire way to take digging out of a dog, but you can simply keep your dog preoccupied with other activities to keep it from digging too much. Make sure that your dog interacts with people and other dogs as well. Take your dog out for regular walks. A properly socialized dog will display lesser tendencies of digging. Also, if you have a new puppy, make it a point to keep your new puppy away from a place where it can dig up dirt, such as the garden or yard. Although it is impossible to keep a dog away from these places completely, simply limit the time that they spend there. Also, since dogs usually stay in the garden or in the yard where they can roam around, you can also put toys and other treats out in the yard. So when your dog is outside and gets bored, it can turn to the toys, instead of to digging.

Chesapeake Breeze, a Cairn terrier, digs a hole bigger than he is while trying to catch a sand crab. Filmed in South Nags Head, NC 12/6/06

How to Stop Dogs From Digging Holes

Before we discover how to stop dogs from digging holes, it is worthwhile knowing the reason behind why they do.

Here are some of the primary reasons why a dog will want to dig a hole:

Boredom
To discover the unknown
Lack of exercise
Separation anxiety

If a dog is digging holes through boredom, there are many toys that can be bought that will keep him occupied. You could try making your own devices to keep him occupied. Good ones to make involve using frozen dog food and drink that release bits of food slowly as it melts. Use your imagination here.

Some dogs are just inquisitive. Its like the grass is always greener on the other side. It’s difficult to know how to stop dogs from digging holes in these cases because it isn’t the digging that they desire, it’s the great yonder. They just want to explore and digging is the means to an end.

The only real things you can do here to stop him attempting to dig is either, keep him inside or maybe crate train him.

The answer speaks for itself here. If your dog is digging holes through lack of exercise, he will need a lot more of it. Depending on the size, breed and health of your dog you will have to adjust the exercise routine accordingly. An average dog would probably want a very vigorous forty five minutes to an hour exercise daily minimum.

Separation anxiety is a whole new can of worms and will have to be addressed in a separate article.

Some dogs like to dig holes for the sake of it. They just love to do it as a hobby or leisure activity. Following are a few tips on how to stop dogs from digging holes for fun.

This is probably the best way and the same as for adventurous dogs. Simply keep him away from the yard until you can be there with him to monitor what he is doing.
If you are concerned that your dog is digging up your flowers, plant some hardy and robust plants and ones with deep roots such as roses, so that he won’t be able to dig around them.
Nearly all dogs won’t dig anywhere in the vicinity of dog mess. They will retreat from the area because they don’t want to get their wonderful coats and their paws soiled with dog mess. Use nature’s natural deterrent.
An excellent way to stop dogs digging holes but more costly and time intensive, is to lay chicken wire about 2 or 3 inches below the top of the soil of grass. After a few tries at digging and not getting anywhere, he will soon learn that it’s a waste of his time, and give up.

You could always find your dog an area of his own to dig away to his hearts content if you have the space. It has to be instilled into him that he must not dig anywhere else apart from his patch.

If you have space but don’t want him to dig in your beloved garden at all, you could by him a sand box are even make one yourself for him. This is a portable solution so it can be moved around the garden to suit yourself.

Stopping your dog from digging up the lawn or under the fence takes discipline, and can be handled by getting the dog more exercise or placing feces in the hole. Teach your dog to stop digging in the yard or under fences with acertified dog trainer in this free video on dog obedience. Expert: Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg Contact: www.miami-dog-training.com Bio: Zephyr Clarke-Dolberg is a certified professional dog trainer in Miami, Fla. Filmmaker: Paul Muller
Video Rating: 3 / 5

Why Dogs Dig – Dog Behavior & Motivation

Dogs dig because they’re dogs, and this activity is primal for them…they just can’t help themselves. It’s hardwired in their genes, it’s fun, and nothing feels better on a hot day then laying in cool, freshly unearthed soil. While digging is a natural act for them, it’s usually objectionable to the owner who prefers her own landscaping design.

Dogs also dig out of boredom. Digging is a stress reliever and it gives the pet something to do. If your dog is out in the yard all day, your property may soon resemble a cratered planet. If the dog digs and gets his desired relief, digging will soon become a learned, stress-relieving behavior. It is harder for a dog to unlearn a behavior than to learn a new behavior, so it’s best not to put him in a position where he feels he must dig to relieve anxiety. In cases such as this, spending more time with the pet and increasing his exercise usually resolves excessive digging.

Most pet owners try fencing off areas that are attractive to a digging pet, scolding the pet, using scent deterrents or keeping the pet out of the yard.

While all of these actions may prevent digging, they don’t deal with the root problem of why the dog is digging in the first place. If the underlying problem is not addressed, and digging is no longer an option, the dog may adapt a new unwanted behavior to relieve his anxiety such as excessive barking.

Our dog trainers recommend sand boxes for dogs that dig. A small covered sandbox can be purchased at toy stores and at most home improvement stores. The advantage of a sandbox is that it allows the dog to fulfill a primal need in a safe area that you control. If the dog can dig in the sandbox, there’s no need for him to head for your flower garden.

For success, dogs need to be introduced to a sandbox.

Most dogs, even the most advanced diggers, will not dig in front of you, so you must teach them that digging in this place is exactly what you want him to do. We recommend that you hide several new toys in the sand and help your dog find them to acclimate him to his new digging spot. Sit with him for five or ten minutes so that he understands that this is his play area and digging here is supported by you. Change the dog toys weekly to keep them stimulating for your pet.

The goal of all dog training is to provide peaceable solutions to everyday problems so that pets and their owners live harmoniously. Give that dog a bone and let appropriate digging begin!

More Dog Digging Solutions Articles

Stop Your Dog’s Digging

Is your dog digging holes in your lawn-or perhaps digging up your garden? Digging is a common problem many dog owners have to face and figure out how to stop. There could be a variety of reasons why your dog may be digging up your yard. Some of the reasons for digging are boredom, an attempt to escape the yard, trying to dig down to cooler soil in times of hot weather, or because your breed of dog may have a predisposition for digging. I often see my own dogs scratch away the top soil around a recently watered palm tree to get at the cooler sand after I give them a good watering.

I have a friend who has a whole pack of unruly dogs that do all sorts of crazy stuff. One of their specialties is digging holes in his driveway. We live at the beach, and the driveway is really just packed sand, so it’s pretty easy for the dogs to dig big holes. He showed me a giant hole in front of his gate, that prevented him from driving his truck through.

The dogs had done their excavating during his shopping trip to town. It seemed pretty obvious that his dogs had dug the big hole in an aborted escape attempt. They really didn’t like being left behind and often dig up his driveway in an effort to follow his truck.

Sometimes his dogs will dig out of boredom or to get at the cooler soil next to a tree that has been recently watered. On other occasions his dogs have dug their monster holes in different areas away from a gate. It’s a good thing his yard is mostly sand. those dogs would have proved disastrous to a lawn. Still, the driveway problem was reason enough to stop his dogs from continuing their digging ways.

My neighbor asked if I had any ideas. Actually, I did.

I then told him about an idea I had read in one of my dog training books. The idea was simple but turned out to be super-effective.

We built his dogs their own area where they were free to dig without it being a problem.Since we live at the beach, my friend’s yard is all sand, so it was only necessary to enclose an appropriate area with fencing to make the acceptable digging area. The area should have shade to protect it form the sun, so if you can’t put it under a tree, you can install a shade cloth for protection instead. It should always have some drinking water and play toys too. My neighbor’s dogs even get to enjoy a little wading pool that he put in for them. They have a pretty nice set up, so they don’t mind staying there while he is away in town.

Why not try this technique in you own yard to prevent your dog from digging holes in your lawn or garden area. Just pick a suitable well shaded area for the enclosure somewhere in your yard. To make your dog’s digging spot, it is a great idea to install a sandbox, which you should fill with a mix of loose soil and sand so it’ll be easy to dig in. By giving him this alternative place to do his digging it will spare your nice lawn from his efforts to destroy it.

Give this method a try and you should have solved the problem of your dog digging up the yard problem.Not only will this advice prevent your dog from ruining your yard with his digging, but he will be really comfortable and happy in his own play area.

Understanding Dog Digging

Why Do Dogs Dig?

Asking why dogs dig is almost like asking why they bark. Digging is part of a dog’s nature, and so are sniffing, barking, and chewing. Dogs dig for several reasons. For some dogs, digging can be a pasttime. Digging can also be expected from dogs that are confined or isolated. Digging can be a favorable alternative activity when they get bored. Some dogs, however, dig purposefully. They can dig to bury objects. They can dig for food, whether it is to bury a bone, or take something that they previously buried. Weather can also push a dog to dig warming and cooling pits.  

Solving the Digging Problem

Your dog’s digging may not always be a bother for you, especially if your dog only dig once in a while, as long as it digs where appropriate. To contain dog digging only to what is appropriate and safe, you can provide your dog a special place where he can dig.

This way, you can choose the spot and make sure that it is a safe place for the dog to spend a lot of time in. To teach your dog to dig in that spot, involve your pet as you prepare its own digging pit. Try to loosen up the soil so it will be easier for your dog to dig in that particular area. You can also make use of the dog’s toys and other accessories. By making like you are burying the objects there for him to find, your dog will get the idea and start digging where he should. Do this activity over and over again until your dog learns where it is supposed to dig. If you see your dog digging in a different place other than the designated digging pit, catch his attention with a loud noise, and direct it towards the correct digging pit. You can also reinforce the behavior by praising your dog when it finds the right digging pit.  

Controlling Your Dog’s Digging

Digging cannot be completely prevented. Once in a while, you may find your dog digging. What you need to prevent is your dog’s digging turning into a regular habit. If the digging turns into an extreme problem, you need to control it already. There is no surefire way to take digging out of a dog, but you can simply keep your dog preoccupied with other activities to keep it from digging too much. Make sure that your dog interacts with people and other dogs as well. Take your dog out for regular walks. A properly socialized dog will display lesser tendencies of digging. Also, if you have a new puppy, make it a point to keep your new puppy away from a place where it can dig up dirt, such as the garden or yard. Although it is impossible to keep a dog away from these places completely, simply limit the time that they spend there. Also, since dogs usually stay in the garden or in the yard where they can roam around, you can also put toys and other treats out in the yard. So when your dog is outside and gets bored, it can turn to the toys, instead of to digging.

How to Stop Dogs From Digging Holes

Before we discover how to stop dogs from digging holes, it is worthwhile knowing the reason behind why they do.

Here are some of the primary reasons why a dog will want to dig a hole:

Boredom
To discover the unknown
Lack of exercise
Separation anxiety

If a dog is digging holes through boredom, there are many toys that can be bought that will keep him occupied. You could try making your own devices to keep him occupied. Good ones to make involve using frozen dog food and drink that release bits of food slowly as it melts. Use your imagination here.

Some dogs are just inquisitive. Its like the grass is always greener on the other side. It’s difficult to know how to stop dogs from digging holes in these cases because it isn’t the digging that they desire, it’s the great yonder. They just want to explore and digging is the means to an end.

The only real things you can do here to stop him attempting to dig is either, keep him inside or maybe crate train him.

The answer speaks for itself here. If your dog is digging holes through lack of exercise, he will need a lot more of it. Depending on the size, breed and health of your dog you will have to adjust the exercise routine accordingly. An average dog would probably want a very vigorous forty five minutes to an hour exercise daily minimum.

Separation anxiety is a whole new can of worms and will have to be addressed in a separate article.

Some dogs like to dig holes for the sake of it. They just love to do it as a hobby or leisure activity. Following are a few tips on how to stop dogs from digging holes for fun.

This is probably the best way and the same as for adventurous dogs. Simply keep him away from the yard until you can be there with him to monitor what he is doing.
If you are concerned that your dog is digging up your flowers, plant some hardy and robust plants and ones with deep roots such as roses, so that he won’t be able to dig around them.
Nearly all dogs won’t dig anywhere in the vicinity of dog mess. They will retreat from the area because they don’t want to get their wonderful coats and their paws soiled with dog mess. Use nature’s natural deterrent.
An excellent way to stop dogs digging holes but more costly and time intensive, is to lay chicken wire about 2 or 3 inches below the top of the soil of grass. After a few tries at digging and not getting anywhere, he will soon learn that it’s a waste of his time, and give up.

You could always find your dog an area of his own to dig away to his hearts content if you have the space. It has to be instilled into him that he must not dig anywhere else apart from his patch.

If you have space but don’t want him to dig in your beloved garden at all, you could by him a sand box are even make one yourself for him. This is a portable solution so it can be moved around the garden to suit yourself.