How to Stop Your Dog Digging in the Yard
If you are an avid gardener, the sight of your dog digging furiously in the yard and ruining the plants and flowers that you so lovingly planted just a few days ago may very well be enough to cause an anxiety attack. But when this happens, don’t immediately punish your dog because there may be a very good reason behind the digging frenzy.
Dogs turn to digging due to various reasons, starting with the need to release pent up energy. When an energetic dog is left all alone in the yard with nothing to do, he is very likely to start digging as a way to entertain himself, especially if the soil is freshly-tilled and is quite loose.
If you have recently planted seeds or seedlings in your yard, a good way to protect them from dog digging disasters is to keep your dog away from the area. If this is not possible, you can also lay some chicken wire over the plant beds to discourage the dogs from digging in the freshly-planted spots.
Another common reason why certain dogs like to dig in the yard is to hunt small animals. This is particularly true for dachshunds, terriers and other hunting dogs. So if you have moles, groundhogs or other vermin in your yard, you can expect your dog to start digging into the ground to chase after them.
Stopping dog digging habits in these earth dog breeds might be next to impossible so all you can do is to fence off your yard or keep your dog leashed when taking them out for a walk or to go potty.
Northern dog breeds like the Siberian Husky easily gets hot especially during the summer. They find comfort in the cooler temperature of the earth, which is why you might find them digging burrows in your yard during particularly hot days. You can stop these dog digging activities by providing your pet with a wading pool with cold water, which is even more inviting than a patch of cool soil.
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Join ‘Em
For some particular breeds, dog digging is so innate that you won’t be able to stop it no matter what you do. In this case, the best solution is to allot an area in your yard where digging is allowed.
Make sure this area is clearly separated from the rest of the yard and that the soil here is well-tilled and combined with some sand.
It might take some time and a little of training but eventually, your dog will figure out that he is to do his digging only in this area. When that happens, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief and know that your yard will be safe from any more dog digging catastrophes.
How To Stop Your Puppy Digging
Puppies love to dig! It’s in their blood and it is quite often their favorite pastime, but it is a problem when you have your puppy digging in your backyard. Digging is also a dog’s way of relieving stress and “letting it all out” so to speak. If a puppy is experiencing anxiety levels due to a new baby in the house, a recent move, strange people, or lack of attention, then it is going to dig in order to help itself feel better.
Dog Obedience Digging
Fortunately there are ways in which you can help diminish dog obedience digging behavior so that it is less destructive to your belongings, while at the same time giving your dog a place to dig without being punished for it.
Below are a set of instructions that will help you train your dog not to dig and claw in areas that you do not want him to, as well as creating a place of its own where it is free to dig to its heart’s content.
Stop Your Puppy Digging Problem
1. The first thing you need to do is find one area that your puppy is allowed to dig in as much as it wants to. This could be somewhere in your house, in a nearby park, or better yet, in your backyard if you have the luxury of owning the property.
2. Make it fun for your puppy to dig, by burying some of its toys and bones underneath the dirt. Now play with your dog and start digging with it so you can both play the game of looking for its toys while digging. It becomes a lot of fun to watch your puppy dig in search of its hidden treasure.
3. Every day, go back to your dog’s digging area and instruct it to start digging by giving a command. This command could be as simple as “Dusty, Go Dig!” After a while it will immediately begin clawing at the dirt in wild anticipation for the fun that lies ahead.
4. If you see your puppy digging in any area other than its digging spot, be sure to correct it with a firm “NO!”, then guide it to its proper digging location. This is the same protocol that you would use when housebreaking a puppy after it makes a mess in the house. Eventually, your dog will seek out its digging area when it feels the urge to dig away.