How to Put a Stop to Digging Dogs

Is your garden becoming expensive to maintain because it's constantly being overthrown by your dog? If it would no longer surprise you if your dog came back with a dinosaur bone (after all, with all those holes, he's bound to hit something good) then you probably have a digging problem. This behavior needs to be stopped for the sake of your yard.

There are many reasons why a dog would take up digging. To stop the behavior you first need to understand the reasons behind it, and then use that knowledge to your advantage in training him. Some dog breeds such as terriers are more prone to digging than others so it could be breed specific. For most dogs, though, it's used as a tool for fun. Digging in the yard or flower beds is very stimulating to them. They never know what smells, creatures, or other treasures they may uncover and the surprise keeps them going. If your dog is bored or lonely, or suffering from separation anxiety, he may take up digging as a means of exercise or stress-related activity.

Some digging, escape digging, might be because there's something better on the other side of the fence that's caught his attention. He also might be digging for shelter. When it's very hot, kicking up the cool dirt to lie in is instinctual, as is burrowing for warmth when it's cold. Some dogs feel that they need to hide their toys or left over food items such as bones for later use, as wild dogs do. Though they don't hunt, some dogs feel it necessary to preserve this ritual.

How to stop the behavior:
Find out why he's digging, and remedy it. If he's digging out of boredom, give him attention. If he's digging because he has inadequate shelter, make him a dog house and provide plenty of food and water for him to love comfortably. Give him plenty of other things to do while he's outside so he will be less inclined to turn to digging for entertainment purposes.

Barricade areas where he can absolutely not dig. Put a wire mesh around flower beds, and lay brick or stone down in his favorite places. Eventually, it will be too much work to dig, no fun, and he'll learn not to dig there. Also deter him from digging other parts of the yard by catching him in the act. When he's digging, spray him with water, say "no!" or startle him with a loud noise. You can fill up a can or something metal with small rocks and shake it furiously if you catch him digging. He'll soon associate the behavior with the unpleasant surprise and sound.

If you don't mind your dog digging (if you have a digging breed), but wish he wouldn't dig in the flower beds, designate a place where he can dig. Give him a corner of the yard or make up a sandbox for him. You can buy toys and other things he'd like in there and praise him when he finds one, encouraging him to dig there and only there.

You can check out some of the products they have at the pet store to discourage digging. A more extreme measure is mix some of his feces back in with the dirt you use to fill up the holes he's created. It will help deter him from digging where he messes, even if he technically didn't go there.