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How To Stop a Dog From Digging

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Disturbing Dog Digging Behavior

People are pretty much of two schools of thought when it comes to dogs and their digging habits. There are those who feel that dogs should be allowed to do what dogs like to do and dig. Others want to preserve their yards and flowerbeds and feel that dogs need to express their creative natures in other ways. Of course, then there are others who form opinions somewhere in between these two extremes.

Lots of dogs enjoy digging, and it’s a good thing if they’re allowed to indulge in their digging habit from time to time, you shouldn’t mistake this for meaning that you should allow your dog free rein in your yard to destroy it as he sees fit. It is possible for both your dog and your garden to co-exist in the same yard without any problems. Even if you have a dog that is a habitual digger, you can use some creative methods to teach him that it isn’t his best choice to dig up your garden.

Before you ever consider adopting a dog, if you have flower beds you’d like to see remain intact, you need to do some thinking about the breed of dog you’re going to get. Breed is an important factor when it comes to digging behavior. For example, terriers, Huskies, Malamutes, and some Spitz really seem to like to dig. Therefore, these might be breeds to avoid if you don’t want a dog digging up your yard.

Of course, you can’t stereotype any breed of dog, because every dog has its own personality, and there’s really no reliable way to tell if the dog you choose, no matter what the breed, is going to be one that wants to burrow his way around your yard. However, overall, it will probably be safer for your flower gardens if you stay away from terriers and Nordic breeds of dogs.

What are the reasons that dogs like to dig?

Listed below are some of the main reasons that various dogs are avaricious diggers:

* Not enough exercise. If your dog has stored up an explosive amount of energy because he doesn’t get the exercise he needs, he’s going to find ways, such as digging, to rid himself of that pent up power.
* He’s bored. Dogs need something fun to do with themselves. If they don’t get appropriate outlets for their intellect, they’re going to come up with their own ways to pass the time, such as digging. Digging will help him feel useful and satisfied.
* A need to explore. Sometimes it isn’t a dog’s need to dig that causes him to do so. Instead, it’s his desire to dig his way to freedom so that he can run wild and free. Some dogs just get “cabin fever” when they’re cooped up in the same house or yard for too long and will, thus, try to burrow their way to the great unknown.
* Loneliness. Being a social creature, your dog actually misses you when you are apart. Often the fences and walls that keep him confined also seem to be keeping him from being with you. He then develops a serious psychological side effect common to dogs which is known as separation anxiety. This is a very complex problem that needs special handling.

By visiting the website http://www.kimgdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/ you can find information to help you deal with this condition in your dog. This site will also give you suggestions as to how to keep your dog from digging, no matter what the reason. Many of them are pretty basic. For
example, if your dog is digging because he doesn’t get enough exercise, the simple solution to the problem is to take him on long, strenuous walks every day.

If boredom is the culprit, provide him with plenty of toys and things to chew on while you’re away from home. Before you leave in the morning, make sure he gets a good workout which will mean he’ll spend the bulk of his day dozing. If your dog likes to pull a disappearing act, keep him caged or inside the house where he won’t be able to make a break for it while you’re away from home.

If the problem is just that your dog enjoys digging, you may need to employ a few other methods of confining his digging habits to more appropriate proportions:

1. Don’t leave your dog in the yard unattended. If you’re always outside when he’s out there supervising him, he won’t have the chance to do any digging.
2. Dogs dislike digging anywhere near dog poop. Therefore, leave some in areas where you don’t want them to dig. Although some dogs with a condition called coprophagia like to eat poop, they still don’t want to get their paws and coat dirty by digging around it.
3. Are your plants too delicate to withstand doggie digging? If so, consider planting hardier varieties with deeper roots and thorns, such as roses.
4. Although it takes a little more work to accomplish, you can try this very effective way of teaching your dog not to dig. Roll up a couple of inches of the sod in your yard, and place chicken wire underneath it before laying it back down again. When your dog tries to dig, he’ll run into the wire and not be able to go any farther. Once he realizes that his digging will get him no where, he’ll give it up.

If your dog really has a need to dig, provide him with an area where he can do so without harming anything. Even so, some dogs are determined to burrow throughout your entire yard. With a dog like this, his determination is going to butt heads with your own need to protect your yard, and no one will win. If this is the case, you need to stop and consider the alternatives.

It definitely wouldn’t be the best idea to set your standards too high. For instance, if you’re thinking of eliminating all of your dog’s natural digging behavior, you’re both bound to end up frustrated. After all, digging is just a part of the personality of some dogs, and they need opportunities to partake in the activity they enjoy so much. What you need to do is set aside an area where he can dig to his heart’s content and then train him to dig only exclusively.

Once you’ve given him a space to dig, you can easily teach him that digging isn’t appropriate anywhere else in the yard. Establish clear guidelines for both digging and non-digging zones and stick to them. As long as he has a place to dig up and rearrange as he chooses, you don’t need to feel bad when you restrict him to that one space. However, what should you do if you don’t have extra space where it’s okay for him to dig?

Let’s say that all of the space in your yard is already spoken for. You just don’t want him digging in your lawn, flowerbeds, or gravel. To solve this problem, buy or build him a sandbox. Be sure it’s large and deep enough to accommodate the digging he’ll want to do. Put a mixture of earth and sand into the box, and add some grass or leaves if that will get your dog more interested. Start him out by doing some digging in the box yourself so that he understands that this is a place where it’s okay to dig. You’ll have to supervise him at first so that he’ll learn that the only place he’s allowed to dig is in the sandbox.

To help him start learning to dig in the sandbox, you can bury a few bones for him to find. When he digs in the box, lavish praise on him for his behavior. If he makes a move to start digging elsewhere, immediately stop him by telling him a firm “No!” At that point, redirect his attention to the sandbox and praise him some more when he starts digging there again. If you like, you can reward him with a treat when he starts digging in the sandbox. By quickly correcting his inappropriate digging behavior and rewarding him for digging in the sandbox, you’ll successfully reinforce the fact that he’s only to dig in the sandbox.

Further Reading:

For more information on how to recognize and deal with problem behaviors like digging, chewing, barking, and aggression, check out Secrets to Dog Training. It’s a detailed how-to manual for the responsible dog owner that's packed with all the information you’ll need for raising a healthy, happy, well-adjusted dog - from problem behaviors to dog psychology to obedience work, Secrets to Dog Training has it covered. You can check out Secrets to Dog Training by clicking here.