It’s definitely frustrating to see that your dog is digging holes in the yard. Keep reading to learn why this may be happening and what you can do to change your dog’s unwanted behavior.
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Digging is a normal exploratory behavior for dogs. There are many reasons a dog may dig a hole. The first step is identifying the cause. The second is trying to change the behavior. Keep in mind some dogs may have been bred to dig, so it might be a good idea to provide them with an area where they’re allowed to dig, instead of attempting to dissuade digging altogether.
Entertainment
Breed-related
Attention
Prey
Comfort & Protection
Escape
Give your dog exercise
Check out our articles for other ideas on indoor and outdoor activities you can enjoy with your dog!
Teach your old dog some new tricks
Friends
Interesting, long-lasting toys
Fences
Shelter
Neutering
For more information on neutering, read our article, What You Need to Know About Neutering Your Male Dog!
Do not give your dog attention for digging the hole – regardless of the cause of the digging. If you give a lot of attention (even punishment), your dog may continue to dig in order to elicit a response from you. You may have inadvertently taught your dog to dig for attention. Quietly remove them from the area and follow the steps above to prevent the digging behavior before it happens, depending on the suspected cause.
Do not fill the hole with water – this won’t prevent digging, and your dog will likely just make a muddy mess with enthusiastic gusto. Placing a rock/boulder in the hole to prevent digging is a lot more likely to be effective.
Do not give your dog access to the area of the yard in which they dug the hole.
If your dog is a terrier or a “digging breed”, consider dedicating an area of the yard they are allowed to dig in. Work on training and behavior modification to prevent them from digging elsewhere. Use positive reinforcement only. This means encouraging them to dig in the dedicated area by burying treats and toys with loose soil or sand. You can even provide them with a sandbox. Reward your dog for digging only in that area. If you catch your dog digging in the “no digging zone”, clap loudly to get their attention, say “no dig” in a low, firm voice, and immediately bring them to the “digging friendly zone”.
How to get your dog to stop digging
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