One of the most common questions canine experts get asked is how to stop a dog from digging. Far from being a “naughty” behavior, digging is a completely natural behavior.
Dogs dig for one of two primary reasons: boredom or comfort. However, certain breeds such as terriers may have an increased drive to dig.
Bust Boredom and Stop Your Dog From Digging
As I mentioned above, one of the main reasons dogs dig is boredom. So, before we get into how to stop your dog digging, let’s look at some ideas on how you can break your dog’s boredom.
The easiest way to break boredom is to keep your dog entertained and stimulated. Here are three things that we do to keep our dogs, and us, entertained for hours. And they are all
- A tennis ball placed inside an old sock with a knot tied at the end
- Old knotted fabric soaked in beef stock and frozen
- Grab an old cardboard tube, pour some treats out and duct tape the ends shut. Your dog will love the challenge of getting every last piece out!
Okay, so the last one can make the yard really messy with bits of cardboard everywhere, but its worth it.
The key to stopping a dog from digging is to keep things new and exciting so make sure to rotate your dog’s toys. Not only will you get to see the excitement on your dog’s face as you bring out something “new” but the constant recycling will save you money!
When the Owner Is Away, Dogs Will Play
Leaving a dog alone all day in the yard is asking for trouble, particularly a younger untrained dog. Left on their own to do as they please is exactly what a dog is going to do.
When we got Chester, a Newfoundland puppy, we were fortunate to be able to spend the first week at home with him.
We spent this time bonding and ticking off a list of basic training. Things like potty training and crate training, as well as setting some boundaries around the house.
We also ‘Chester proofed’ the yard by letting him test the fence for weaknesses and patched a few areas that looked like they might be an eventual portal to escape.
He learned quickly, or so we thought, that the flower and vegetable gardens were no-go-zones. More on that later.
He liked his new kennel and slept in it without issue, only barking once or twice on the first night. All in all, we were very happy with the progress being made.
We Had Nailed It, Or So We Thought
However, things were not so smooth on day one of the second week. My partner and I were back at work, so we left Chester in the yard with the comfort of knowing he had:
- plenty of water
- enough shade from the sun – trees and his kennel
- we scattered some of his favorite toys about the yard
- as well as a few bones
What more could a dog want, right!
How Much Damage Can a Puppy Cause In One Day
Now if you have owned dogs you can probably guess where this is heading. And you’d be right. It wasn’t good.
I received a phone call
I know that we would have to do something about that when I got home. So I asked Google “How to stop a dog Barking” and that’s when I found The Online Dog Trainer that we now feature throughout this website.
But as it turned out, barking was the least of our problems.
Total Destruction
When we got home that afternoon we arrived at, what can best be described as a mini-war zone. He’d destroyed all his toys. There was not a single flower or vegetable standing in the garden.
He’d had fun with the garden hose, it was in a thousand pieces and he’d also managed to unearth the irrigation system, which fortunately wasn’t turned on.
And he’d tried to dig under the fence in at least half a dozen places. We could not believe how much destruction one little puppy could have caused.
Needless to say, that was the last day he spent unsupervised in the yard.
From that day on, whenever we went out, he was either in the house in his crate or in his kennel.
Although that wasn’t all we did, that would be too easy, it was one of the key things. Listed below are some of the other things that we did and while I’d like to say that was the end of the story, its enough for now.
How To Stop A Bored Dog From Digging Holes
We learned a lot that day. Let me share some of that wisdom with you now.
These are not necessarily in order of priority, we’ll let you decide on what is a priority for you and your situation. However, that being said;
The first and
Secondly, provide plenty of entertainment for your dog, so that they can keep themselves out of mischief.
There are some great toys on the market designed to keep dogs entertained for hours. One such toy is: Hound Hide-A-Squirrel and Puzzle Plush Squeaking Toys for Dogs
Before you buy/give your dog a new toy, be sure that it is appropriate for your dog – age, teeth, and size. It is also important to replace your dog’s toys as and when they become worn out because you don’t want your dog swallowing or choking on toy fragments.
Some Dogs Are Born to Dig
If your dog is one of them, keep them happy by setting up a designated sandbox or dirt pit of
One way to do this is to bury a few toys for your dog to discover and then reward him for digging in this area. And when your dog tries to dig in another of the yard, gently guide him back to his digging area.
We did this for Chester, and he soon figured it out, and we never had a problem with him digging in the back yard after that – note: I said we never had a problem with him digging in the ‘back yard’ after that!
Give Your Dog a Digging Sanctuary!
The most effective way to stop a dog from digging and destroying your garden is to provide them with their own area to dig!
A child’s sandpit makes the perfect digging retreat for your dog – a sandpit no longer being used by children! Fill the sandpit or other
Expand Your Dog’s World
Keep in mind that if confined to the yard, your dog’s world is very small.
Taking your dog for regular walks will provide them with much-needed exercise and stimulation which has the added advantage that it is also a great way to stop a dog from digging once home.
Redirect Your Dog Positively
Refrain from the temptation to turn the hose on your dog or scold them as a way to stop them from digging. If your pooch is digging somewhere they shouldn’t, firmly say “No’ and redirect them to their digging sanctuary.
If your dog digs in their digging zone provide them with plenty of praise to celebrate their good
Provide Your Dog With Comfort – So They Don’t Have to Dig For It!
One of the reasons your dog may be digging is to find shelter from the environment. Dogs will often burrow into the cold dirt to find comfort from the hot sun, or to form protective trenches against icy winds.
Bring your dog inside during extreme weather conditions and make sure they have a cozy dog house that provides shelter. Sheepskin dog beds are natural fibers perfect for dog houses; these snuggly beds keep them cool and fresh in summer, and warm and cozy in winter.
Also, make sure that you clean your dog’s bedding and sleeping areas regularly to keep it pest and dirt free. An infestation of dog fleas, ticks, or any other bugs is a good reason to make a dog dig!
Digging Can Also Be a Sign That Your Dog Is Anxious
Digging can also be a sign that your dog is
If you think your dog is suffering from separation anxiety, you might like to read our article: How To Prevent Puppy Separation Anxiety
Make sure that your dog has a comfortable and safe place to hang out while at home alone, also check to see that your dog does spend time in this area and is happy.
What might look like a nice and comfortable place for a dog to YOU may not be so for your dog!
Things to Keep in Mind to Stop Your Dog From Digging
To keep your dog happy but still save your garden make sure to
- Provide your pet with plenty of stimulation
- Give your pet a sheltered, safe place to relax
- Create a digging sanctuary for your dog to get out any digging urges
- Keep positive! Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your dog
Is the information in this article about how to stop a dog from digging helpful?
We’d love to hear your dog digging stories, please feel free to share them with us.
