How to Get Your Dog to STOP Digging
You just planted your garden and you’ve never been more proud! Fast forward 24 hours and Fido has torn up your flower bulbs, dug holes into the flower beds, and destroyed all your hard work!
You know your dog isn’t trying to punish you, but it sure feels like it! If there’s any hope at ever having a beautiful garden again, you have to get to the bottom of this.
The good news, we can help.
The better news, there are several ways to fulfill your dog's need to dig without them destroying your hard work.
Let’s jump in!
6 Reasons Your Dog is Tearing Up Your Yard
Breed & genetics
Some dogs, like Jack Russell terriers, were bred to dig! That means it’s going to be more difficult for dogs with those particular genetics to resist digging!
Temperature regulation
Dogs strategically dig holes in areas of the yard with varying temperatures to help regulate their body heat. They may be looking for a cooler or warmer area of the yard.
Security
If your yard doesn’t have any shelter in the yard, they may dig a hole close to your house to provide shelter from the elements, or just to feel more secure.
Boredom
Your dog may entertain themselves by digging and rooting in the earth because there’s nothing else for them to do in the yard.
Critters
Your dog might be digging to search for critters and vermin that may or may not exist!
Learned behavior
Lastly, your dog may have learned that digging holes gets your attention, so they keep it up attempting to get some social interaction!
5 Ways to Curb Your Dog from Digging
Supervision
Supervise your dog while they’re in the yard so that you can redirect them from digging in inappropriate areas!
Block access
You can block access to particular areas of your yard using DIY chicken wire fences or garden fences. Make holes less enticing: You can cover holes with chicken wire and bury poop in the areas to make the holes less attractive to your dog.
Give their own digging area
This is our FAVORITE tip. Using a kiddie pool, or by fencing off an area in your yard, fill the area with loose dirt, and bury delicious goodies in the dirt for your pup to find. Your dog will naturally be attracted to digging in an area that they find hidden treasures vs. other areas in the yard.
Put digging on cue:
Hide some treats in your dog’s new digging area. Take your dog to their area and tell them “dig” and praise them when they begin to dig. Repeat several times, until your dog finds all the goodies!
Provide other yard activities
When you plan to leave your dog in the yard, send them outside with a bone, a frozen kong, or throw kibble in the grass so they have something to snuffle for!
Need a creative spot for your dog to have their digging area? Check out this snuffle mat in our Amazon Storefront.
Generally, it’ll take a few of these approaches combined to curb excess digging in your yard, but if you stay consistent and meet your dog’s daily physical and mental needs, you can overcome this behavior challenge!
Happy Training!
