It is known to us all that dogs love to dig. There are some specific reasons: seeking entertainment, attention, comfort, escape, prey, protection, etc,.

How to Prevent?

Find out why your dog is doing it and then adopt a strategy that targets your dog’s needs. The most perfect way to resolve any unwanted digging is to provide an alternative, more constructive way to allow you to dig.

Digging Because of Boredom

Dogs are playful animals and they may dig up your yard if they are bored.

To stop:

Keep your dog well-exercised and maximize their opportunity for mental stimulation. Providing your dog with a range of mental and physical enrichment. Puzzle games can make a huge difference for bored diggers.

Digging to Hunt

If your dog is barking and whining, and inexplicably focused on the ground, they are likely to dig for prey. If they hear or smell a rodent, rabbit, or insect underground, they will often dig to find and catch it.

To stop:

Search for signs of burrowing animals, then use safe methods to fence them out.

Digging Because of Anxiety

Some dogs exhibit behavior like whining, pacing, and panting before you leave the house or after a sudden change in environment, they may dig to escape because of anxiety.

To stop:

You can spend plenty of quality time with your pet or set up a safe area in the new place to ease the anxiety.

Digging Because of Habits

Since digging is a natural dog behavior, it is important to satisfy your dog’s natural instinct.

To stop:

If your dog forms a habit of digging, then you may need to create a “digging zone” in which they can play out their natural instinct.

Digging Under a Fence/Digging to Escape

A dog may simply want to explore or see something interesting. And dogs digging up a hole along the fence may indicate that they want to escape.

To stop:

Watch your dog when they are outside in your yard or garden.

Bury the bottom of your fence one or two feet beneath the soil.

Bury chicken wire at the bottom line of your fence.

Digging for Protection

Dogs may dig holes and lie in cool soil. They may also dig and shield themselves against cold, wind or rain.

To stop:

Provide your dog with plenty of water and shade to keep them cool.

Make sure your dog is only outside during nice weather.