How To Stop A Digging Dog

   by Ann Stewartin Family / Pets    (submitted 2011-11-11)

The holes in your yard are an indicator of one of the challenges many dog owners face, how to keep the dog from digging. Remember you're not alone in your stuggle!

What Causes Dogs to Dig?

To be effective in getting your dog to stop digging, you must first understand why she is digging. There are as many causes as there are options for dealing with the problem. Here are a few:

He is bored
Your Companion needs a sheter
He is trying to clean up, and is trying to bury the "extra" food
Your companion He is trying to get to other animals or is mimicking what he sees other dogs doing
She is curious about a new smell, the ground is full of them
He desires your attention, and has learned digging with get it (albeit negative)

How to Stop Your Dog's Digging

Although we may want to, hollering at your dog is not the best solution for your digging problem Instead, try to identify why your companion is digging, then try one of these solutions:

Try getting more socialization for your dog. Your dog may be trying to get to a neighbor's pet or imitating what she's seen from that neighbor's pet. Either way, adding more socilization to your companion's schedule can be an effective solution. If you have some time, take your pet to a dog park a few times a week; otherwise, try finding a quality doggie daycare.

Get the right toys. Sometimes dogs dig because they're bored and they are looking for entertainment and adventure. Interactive toys will help provide this entertainment. While this can help, you'll probably need to couple this with other strategies to be highly effective.

Inspect your yard for rodents, reptiles and burrowing animals. Be sure to call a live animal catcher or pest control specialist to take care of these animals, both for the sake of your lawn as well as the health of your pet.

Get a dog house. Dogs will dig if they feel the need for a shelter, which is especially common for female dogs. Try adding a dog house to your yard or providing her a special place that is just for her.

Try some chicken wire. If you've tried everything else, and there's a specific spot your dog keeps going back to dig in, try burying chicken wire 1-2 inches under the surface of the soil. When she digs, the sensation when she hits the wire will discourage her from digging there again.

Taking time to fully understand why your companion is digging will save you time, money, and your sanity...not to mention your dog's happiness.

About the Author

Owner of Advantage Pet Center, Ann Stewart has the pleasure of working with dogs, cats, lizards, and guinea pigs, just to name a few, by offering doggie daycare, cat and dog grooming, and pet boarding for all varieties of pets. Ann is continually looking for ways to help the owners of these animals maintain a happy home for the entire family.

Ann Stewart

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