Dogs dig for many reasons: out of boredom, because they smell an animal, to hide food, because it satisfies them, or just because they are looking for some moisture. Read this advice-packed article if you want to find a way to stop your dog from digging and destroying your garden.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Condition and Train Your Dog
Step 1. Identify the problem
If you can understand why your dog is digging holes, your chances of changing his behavior can improve dramatically. Sometimes the digging can be random and unable to be diagnosed, but there are usually specific reasons for this behavior.
- Dogs often dig holes for one (or more) of these five reasons: fun, physical well-being, attention seeking, escape, or on the prowl. See when, where and how your dog digs, and you will likely be able to determine why he does it.
- Keep in mind that digging is a natural instinct for most dogs, and this is unlikely to be completely stopped. Some dogs were bred for digging; terriers and dachshunds, for example, were bred for badger hunting. If you know that having your pet digging will create a big problem for you, investigate the propensity of each dog breed before selecting one to buy.
Step 2. Pay more attention to your pet
As many dog owners can attest, these animals are in some ways similar to children, for example by constantly demanding your attention. Your dog may have learned that digging gets more attention from you, albeit in a negative way.
- If you believe this may be the cause, ignore him after he digs, but praise him when he does well.
- Also, make sure he spends a lot of time with you on other occasions as well. A happy dog doesn't need to get attention incorrectly. Putting your dog in detention by keeping him away from you will only exacerbate his behavior.
Step 3. Get rid of boredom
Dogs often dig because they are bored. You can understand this state of mind if you notice him staring at the fence for a long time, whining, engaging in "hyperactive" or playful behavior, including digging holes. To prevent your dog from getting bored:
- Entertain him with toys and take the time to let him let off steam, especially if the dog is young. Change the rolling toys to keep him excited.
- Make him walk and run. Go out with him for a long walk at least twice a day, have him play fetching a tennis ball if you really want to tire him out. A physically exhausted dog is all you need.
- Allow him to socialize with other dogs. Take him to the dog park and let him sniff, loiter and socialize. Dogs do not get bored among their peers.
Step 4. Set up safe deterrents
If scolded, the dog links the scolding only to immediate action (see Advice section). So you have to find a way to make digging an unpleasant activity even when you're not around.
- Remember: punishing the dog after digging is useless, you only make the problem worse because it increases the anxiety that causes him to dig even more.
- Attach a sprinkler to the garden hose. When you see him digging, turn on the water tap.
- Fill the area with rocks so he can't dig. The best are the wide and flat ones, which are difficult to move.
- Bury a wire mesh under a thin layer of soil. The dog does not like the feeling of the net under the paws. This technique works very well if the dog digs near the fence (see the Tips section).
Step 5. Use harsher methods if your dog doesn't stop
If you've tried unsuccessfully to discourage him with gentle techniques, it's time to move on to more effective tactics and let him know who the boss is. Here are some less pleasant ways to make him give up.
- Some dogs hate the smell of their own feces. Putting some in the hole will make it less welcome. However, there are some dogs that eat their own poo and will be happy to see that you love to bury their favorite tidbit too. It all depends on the dog.
- Hide a small inflated balloon in the hole. It will be an unpleasant surprise when, by digging, the dog makes it pop.
- If you are the creative type, you can install a motion sensor that triggers a sprinkler or a very loud device every time your dog enters the area where he shouldn't be digging.
- Use citrus peels to protect the area. Many dogs hate the smell of orange, lemon and grapefruit (other dogs are indifferent). Peel an orange or sprinkle your hands with juice. Put your hands close to your dog's face - if he shrinks or looks anxious, you've found a solution.
Step 6. Seek professional help if needed
If you are having a hard time diagnosing why your dog digs, or can't stop his behavior even though you know why it happens, it may be time to call in the professionals. Certified canine trainers and animal behaviorists are able to offer personalized advice and techniques for addressing the causes and conditions of your dog's behavior.
- Developing a calm and assertive approach is the basis of training, your dog must recognize you as a pack leader. Dogs think in terms of dominance, balance and pecking order. If all goes well, your dog should have deep respect for you and remember all the commands learned during training.
- Teach your dog simple commands like "Stop!" "Sitting", "Paw", etc. Practice doing them for at least 10 minutes a day.
- When you see your dog digging a hole, use negative reinforcement. Without being seen, it creates a loud noise (for example with a can with some coins inside) to distract the dog. This unpleasant noise will be associated with digging inside him.
Method 2 of 2: Change the Environment
Step 1. Build a sandpit
This is a small area in your garden for your dog to dig into. Encourage him to let off steam only there.
- Mark the sandpit with a fence and fill it with loose, soft soil.
- Bury tidbits or scented items to get her attention.
- If you find that your dog is digging outside the permitted zone, tell him firmly "Don't dig!" and take it to the sandpit where it can do it in complete freedom.
Step 2. Create a shaded area for the dog
If it does not have shelter to protect itself from the excessive heat of the summer months, the animal may dig for some relief. This is especially true if they like to dig close to house walls, trees or water sources.
- Build a nice, cozy doghouse for shelter from the cold and heat.
- Do not leave it outside without adequate protection in the event of very intense cold or heat.
- Make sure he always has a bowl (the ones that don't tip over) full of fresh water, to prevent him from running out of water for a whole day.
Step 3. Get rid of any rodents your dog may be chasing
Many dogs are hunters by nature and love the thrill of chasing. If it digs near the roots of trees and plants or you notice a mound of dirt leading to a hole, it is possible that the dog has spotted an animal that it wants to hunt.
- Find a safe way to get rid of the rodent, or make sure it doesn't get lured into your yard - call a professional if you don't know what it is.
- Do not use no poison to kill the rodent. Any substance that is harmful to the unwelcome host could be equally dangerous to your dog.
Step 4. Make sure the dog doesn't run away
The dog may leave your property just to get something, go somewhere, or even just to get away. In this case, he could dig especially near the fence. If this is the case, try to understand why the dog wants to run away and provide him with incentives to stay in the garden.
- Near the fence bury a wire mesh. Make sure all sharp points do not come into contact with your dog.
- Place partially buried stones at the foot of the fence to block exits.
- Increase the depth of the fence in the ground. Go down at least 30-60 cm to prevent it from being violated.
- If your dog tries to escape to reach another garden (perhaps where there is another dog), you may want to consider putting up a fence to block his view in that direction.
Step 5. Remove all temptations
If the dog is continually tempted, he cannot resist the urge to dig. What is the solution? Remove any urge to obey!
- Dogs love to dig in freshly moved earth. If you are doing garden work, make sure your dog can't reach fresh soil by protecting it with a fence or covering it.
- Search the garden for any bones and objects that the dog buried previously, and remove them. Take action when the dog does not see you and then fill the holes.
- If you need to garden, don't let your dog see you digging and moving the soil, as it will perceive it as a positive reinforcement.
- Keep the garden clean. Remove any odors that may attract the dog, and treat any infestations of rodents or other small mammals.
Advice
- You can prevent escaping by L-bending a 90cm-wide wire mesh and attaching it along the fence at ground level, so that the longest part stays on the ground. Over time the grass will cover it and hopefully the dog will avoid escaping.
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Purchase and read books on dog training and behavior. Forget the TV stars and only consider the techniques of real trainers, whose books have stood the test of time. Two good books to consider are:
- The Art of Raising a Puppy by The Monks of New Skete
- No Bad Dogs by Barbara Woodhouse
- You can put an electrified net (found in home improvement stores) about 17 cm above the ground, to prevent the dog from approaching and digging. Just touch it once to desist.
- You can fill the holes near the fence with concrete (pour it dry and then put the water in, do not allow the dog to stand in the garden while it hardens).
- If you use the stool method, use your dog's; another animal's droppings won't work.
- Punishing dogs directly is usually considered to have no effect. In her landmark book No Bad Dogs Barbara Woodhouse explains why. If you punish your dog for digging holes by scolding, slapping or hitting him, at best you only keep him from digging that hole while you are nearby.
Warnings
- In fact, some breeds like to dig (it has nothing to do with obedience or boredom). Do research on dog characteristics before buying one. If you can't tolerate digging, buy a specimen of another breed. Australian Shepherd Dogs and the Medium Portuguese Podengo (new to America) love to dig for the fun of it. Most Terriers also love to dig and should be able to, as long as they can't escape.
- Many dogs cannot use the sandbox alone (see the sandbox method).
