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| Dog Behavior: Why Dogs Dig and How to Prevent It
Why Dogs Dig
Dogs dig for many different reasons. Northern breeds like huskies and malamutes dig holes in summer to have a cool place it lie. In winter, they dig a hole to have shelter from the ice and wind and to provide warmth. In fact, any dog breed will dig a hole to cool themselves on a hot summer day. Other breeds, such as terriers dig to find prey.
Dogs have a keen sense of hearing and smell. They can hear things under the earth’s surface and are able to sniff out odors from underground. Dogs dig to unearth creatures that live underground such as mice, moles and voles.
Bitches that are pregnant dig nests. Dogs dig to bury ones, escape from a dog run or yard, and they dig when they’re bored.
Deciphering the Problem
If you want to stop your dog from digging, your first step must be to find out why he is doing it. Once you’ve determined this, you need to provide an alternative to his digging behavior. You may stop him from digging in one area, just to find that he begins digging somewhere else.
If your dog is searching for prey, you must get rid of whatever he is after in order to stop him from digging. If your dog is creating a cool place to rest, provide him with shade and water. If temperatures soar, bring him inside where he can take advantage of the air conditioning.
Possibly your dog is digging because he’s bored. Be sure he gets lots of exercise. Walk him morning and night and add a play time to the walks. Give him lots of affection and stimulation. Buy a variety of toys for him to play with while you’re absent and he is alone.
Does your dog stay outside in the yard while you’re away? If so, this gives him a great opportunity to dig. Try leaving him inside when you’re not home. This will also alleviate the problem of him digging his way out of his dog run or the yard.
Create a Digging Area
Choose a spot in your yard and give your dog his own little piece of heaven – a digging area. It doesn’t have to be large. Section off a corner of your yard with lawn edging or railway ties and then fill it with topsoil or sand. Bury some of your dog’s favorite plastic toys in it, or lightly cover a few dog biscuits. Allow him to dig these things up. Replace the toys or place a bit of food in his digging spot frequently and when he isn’t watching. Soon, the area will be his favorite digging place. If you see him digging elsewhere in the yard, give him a sharp reprimand and take him to his digging spot. When he digs there, praise him and give him a pat.
Punishment
When your dog digs in places other than his spot and a reprimand isn’t doing the trick, try an alternative method. Sprits him with water every time he digs in a place other than his digging spot, or use a loud shaker to get his attention. In order for this to work, you will have to give him constant supervision for a while until he gets the message. Also practice remote punishment using a sprinkler or booby traps. Chicken wire or stones work well, as does covering the area with asphalt or patio stones. However, bobby traps may not stop your dog from digging in other areas.
Highly Recommended
Training your dog to dig in his own spot is highly recommended. Use repetition and praise to train him to dig only in the designated spot. This will mean setting aside hours to work with him on his behavior. You should spend at least a half hour a day in training. He will soon get the idea and your yard will be back to normal with the exception of his little piece of dog digging paradise.
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