Digging is a common complaint for dog owners. The problem is, digging comes very natural for many dogs. As a matter of fact terriers are named for Terra, as in Latin for “earth.” They are literally called “earth dogs” — and it’s not because they are environmentally friendly. Digging is frequently a “hard-wired” behavior in dogs and stopping it is literally trying to stop a dog’s natural tendencies. So….
Instead of Fighting the Instinct to Dig, Harness It!
One of the most effective ways to deal with instinctual dog behavior like digging is to give a dog a way to do it that is not disruptive. My favorite is to set up a “digging pit” somewhere and then convince the dog that digging there is more rewarding than around the petunias.
Either purchase a sandbox or dig a hole and fill it with sand. (Sand is a lot easier to clean up than soil.) If you decide to go with a hole, it may be helpful to line it with plastic sheeting. Then, hide some toys in the sand and show your dog his new place to dig!
Start out making the hidden goodies easy to find and then work your way up to making it more and more difficult. Make it a game, and be sure to spend some time with your dog. Which is a nice segway to the next point…..
Idle Paws are the Devil’s Digger!
In detective fiction we frequently read or hear about “motive and opportunity.” We covered motive for digging, now you need to deal with the opportunity! Are you leaving a “known offender” alone in your yard? Leaving your dog alone outside is not a good idea for a lot of reasons, but leaving a bonafide digger alone is just asking for it.
Left to their own devices, dogs may not choose the recreation activities we would prefer. Trying playing with your dog instead of leaving him alone. Trying using toys and games to exercise his mind and redirect his desire to dig.
Training Can Help
Even when you are with your dog, his eyes may wander over to those petunias. This is a prime opportunity to train him to leave things alone on cue. That, along with some work on impulse control, will make it easier to redirect your dog’s attention to more productive pursuits.
Digging can be a big nuisance, but it’s not an insurmountable problem. Try these steps and remember: enjoy your time with your dog. That why’s you got him!
12 Comments
I've been living in a condo for the last few years, but I plan on moving to a home with a yard (hopefully a big yard). In the past Linus has been a little bit of a digger, but I'm not really sure what Stetson will do since I've never really left him alone in the yard. I think it might be a good idea to start training Linus and Stetson with a “digging pit” at the new home before they decide to find a spot of their own. Thanks for the hints I'm sure they will come in handy.
These are great tips, thanks!
Great points Eric! Fortunately, our dogs have never done any digging. It is likely due to their breeds (Shar-pei and German Shepherd), though I think it's because Ty doesn't want to get his paws dirty, and Buster doesn't take his eyes off us long enough to dig a hole.
Setting up a corner in part of a yard makes perfect sense. Your dogs are quite lucky.
Hiding the toys in a sandbox is a really great idea! I wish that I would have thought of that when Jersey was a puppy since she was a digging maniac!
Great ideas. I was shocked to learn (from Susanne Clothier's Bones Would Rain From the Sky) that renowned trainer Vicki Hearne used to try to “cure” her dogs of digging by semi-drowning them!
What?!!!!!
I don't take my eyes off Zeus when he's out in the back yard doing his business. Pittie's are renowned escape artists so I don't take the chance.
I've watched him a couple of times pawing at the bottome of the chain link fence between us and the neighbors, they have a dog too. It doesn't look like he's trying to dig under it, more like there is something there that he wants to dig up. All I have to do is call his name and he stops.
When I take him to the beach, I take my finger and lightly scratch at the sand saying, “Zeus, what's this?”, and he comes over and starts digging for China, it's hillarious! =)
What?!!!!!
I don't take my eyes off Zeus when he's out in the back yard doing his business. Pittie's are renowned escape artists so I don't take the chance.
I've watched him a couple of times pawing at the bottome of the chain link fence between us and the neighbors, they have a dog too. It doesn't look like he's trying to dig under it, more like there is something there that he wants to dig up. All I have to do is call his name and he stops.
When I take him to the beach, I take my finger and lightly scratch at the sand saying, “Zeus, what's this?”, and he comes over and starts digging for China, it's hillarious! =)
i have two labs both under the age of three. my chocolate is very active and plays with toys and gets in the kiddie pool i bought. my black lab has no interest in toys or the pool. she however likes to dig up my backyard after moles. this has created a huge problem. i love that they each have their different personalites because she is extremely calm where as the chocolate is loving and playfull. what can we do? we are at our wits end
If she is that determined to dig, I would try the digging pit or sandbox and bury something rewarding in it for her. She is also going to require constant supervision. Predatory behavior like this is very difficult to completely eliminate. It's best to try to work with it and shape it into something desirable,
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