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Digging is one of the first behaviors that many dog owners want to break.
Unfortunately, this sort of behavior comes naturally to most dogs. Whether
it is separation anxiety, breeding, or boredom, there are many reasons that
a dog will dig. By trying a few of the following suggestions, you can help a
digging dog break the habit that is destroying your yard.
The first reaction that pet owners have when they find their dog digging in
their lawn is to yell at them. This punishment teaches dogs not to dig when
their owner is around, but unfortunately they will be perfectly content to
return to their digging habit when they are alone.
A better solution is to place your sprinkler in the area that you dog likes
to dig. When you catch them tearing up you lawn, turn the water on. This
way, the sprinkler is telling the dog off and not you. Most dogs will think
that the area around them is chastising them for digging and they will
refrain from this habit even while you are away.
If you do not have a sprinkler, invest in a good water pistol. There are
many different varieties that are inexpensive and have good accuracy over
several meters. When you see your dog digging, aim the water pistol at their
head and give them a good spray. Say nothing and ignore your dog when they
look around for the source of the water. You do not want them to connect the
punishment with you.
If your dog has a lot of energy, they could be digging because they are
bored. Especially with large dogs, it is important to give them at least an
hour of exercise a day. Running with your dog and playing games, such as
fetch, are good exercises that will also tire them out.
Dogs get lonely easily and need a lot of care and affection from their
owners. For this reason, the less time that you spend with your dog, the more
likely they will dig and destroy your lawn. Instead of keeping them outside all
day, allow your dog come into the house as much as possible and give them lots
of toys to play with when you are away. These will make your dog's time alone
more stimulating.
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When a dog digs at a fence, it is often a sign that they are bored. Most
that do this want to escape in order to play with other dogs in the
neighborhood or chase small animals. This is especially true if you have a
scent hound. Bassets, bloodhounds, foxhounds, and beagles have a keen sense
of smell and will dig under fences in order to track these scents.
In order to stop a dog from digging at a fence, fill any gaps and holes that
your dog makes with concrete. If this is impractical, because your dog
spends a good deal of their day digging and escaping under fences, another
option is to fill the holes with their own feces. Dogs hate the smell and
will rarely dig through it.
Though digging can be annoying, it is a natural and instinctual habit for
any dog. Still, you can curb your dog's habit of digging if it becomes a
problem. By simply playing more often with your dog, keeping a water pistol
at the ready, and adding concrete or feces to any holes that appear, you too
can discourage your dog from making a sandbox out of your lawn
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