When you create a colourful yard full of plants and flowers does your dog undo all our hard work by digging unsightly holes? If you value a beautiful yard, this can be a frustrating problem. Fortunately there are simple steps you can take that will usually stop a digging dog once you understand why your dog digs in the first place.
Dogs can dig holes in the yard for a variety of reasons. Some types of dogs seem to have an inherent tendency to dig. One such breed is the Terrier family of dogs. The tendency to dig is almost innate to the Terrier since they were bred to hunt animals buried in burrows. If you're dealing with a digging Terrier, you have a bit more of a challenge than you would with other dog breeds. Other reasons dogs dig are to create a cool spot to lie down in on a hot summer day, to escape underneath a fence, and digging to stay entertained and stimulated.
To stop a digging dog, first try to determine why the behavior is occurring. Is your dog digging near the fence in an attempt to escape? If this is happening when you're away from home, he could be suffering from separation anxiety and is attempting to get under the fence to find you. This type of situation is most easily resolved by bringing your dog inside when you go out and leaving him in a secure area with soft, relaxing music or a T.V. playing in the background. If your dog's anxiety causes him to be destructive indoors when you leave, consider securing him in a cage. Contrary to what you might think, many dogs actually enjoy the security of a comfortable, well padded cage when kept there for short periods of time. A male dog may also dig under a fence when he detects the scent of a female in heat. Having your pet neutered may reduce this motivation for digging. You may also want to reinforce the boundaries of the fence at the base using chicken wire.
Is your dog digging because he's trying to get cool? Make sure your dog has a cool shelter located in a shady area where he can escape the heat along with plenty of water. You may also want to consider adding a wading pool filled with shallow water for your dog to use for cooling. Choose a heavy duty plastic one as a dog can puncture an inflatable one with their toenails. You may also want to have your dog's hair cut shorter during the summer months and tie a special cooling bandana around his neck. These are available online.
Is your dog digging out of boredom? To stop a bored dog from digging, make sure he has plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation when he's alone in the yard. Provide him with safe toys that aren't likely to cause choking. A summertime wading pool can be a pleasant and cool diversion that will keep your dog from creating havoc with his paws. Taking your dog for a brisk thirty minute walk can dissipate some of his excess energy that might otherwise be channelled into digging.
If these strategies don't work, try using a water gun to spray your dog on the head when you notice him digging. If you do this several times, you'll probably extinguish the behavior. The trick is to catch your dog in the act and have the water gun ready to work its magic. Never punish a dog after the fact as this is only counter-productive.
With a little patience, you can stop a digging dog and restore your yard to its former state of tranquillity.
