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Why your dog digs, and how to train him to stop
from:Why does my dog dig?
I DIG BECAUSE I CAN
It's the motto of dogs everywhere, and completely normal
behavior.
Yet the reasons behind the activity are varied. Your dog may dig
to seek entertainment, attention, comfort, escape, prey, or
protection. (Despite how you might feel sometimes, your dog
won't dig out of spite, revenge, or a desire to destroy your
yard.) And just when you think you've outsmarted the old pooch
by finding ways to make the area where he digs unappealing, your
dog will likely begin digging in other locations or display
other unacceptable behavior, such as chewing or barking.
A much more effective approach to the problem is to address the
cause of the digging. Here's advice on how to figure out why
your dog digs and how to stop it:
ENTERTAINMENT
Dogs may dig as a form of self-play when they learn that roots
and soil play back. Your dog may be digging for
entertainment if:
* He's left alone in the yard for long periods of time without
opportunities for interaction with you or others. * His
environment is relatively barren with no playmates or toys. *
He's a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and
doesn't have other outlets for his energy. * He's the type
of dog that is bred to dig as part of his job (such as a
terrier). * He's a particularly active type of dog who needs
an active job to be happy (such as a herding or sporting breed).
* He's recently seen you playing in the dirt (gardening
or working in the yard).
Recommendations
We recommend expanding your dog's world and increasing his
people time in the following ways:
* Walk your dog at least twice daily. It's good exercise for
both of youï mentally and physically! * Teach your dog to
fetch a ball or Frisbee, and play with him as often as
possible. * Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks.
Practice these commands/tricks every day for five to ten
minutes. * Take a training class with your dog and practice
daily what you've learned. * Keep interesting toys in the yard
to keep your dog busy even when you're not around. Kong-type
toys filled with treats or busy-box dog toys work especially
well. Rotate the toys to make them seem new and interesting. *
For dedicated diggers, provide an acceptable digging area.
Choose an area of the yard where it's okay for your dog to
dig, and cover that area with loose soil or sand. If you catch
your dog digging in an unacceptable area, interrupt the behavior
with a loud noise and say, No dig. Then immediately take
the dog to his designated digging area. When he digs in the
approved spot, reward him with praise. Make the unacceptable
digging spots unattractive (at least temporarily) by setting
rocks or chicken wire into the dirt. Make the acceptable area
attractive by burying safe items for him to discover.
SEEKING PREY
Dogs may try to pursue burrowing animals or insects that live in
your yard. Your dog may be pursuing prey if:
* The digging is in a specific area instead of at the boundaries
of the yard. * The digging is at the roots of trees or shrubs. *
The digging is in a path layout.
Recommendations
We recommend that you search for possible signs of pests
and then make your yard unwelcome to them. Avoid methods that
could be toxic or dangerous to your pets or other animals. For
advice on dealing humanely with wildlife, visit our information
on Urban Wildlife Our Wild Neighbors.
SEEKING COMFORT / PROTECTION
In hot weather, dogs may dig holes to lie in the cool dirt. They
may also dig to provide themselves with shelter from cold, wind,
or rain, or to try to find water. Your dog may be digging for
comfort or protection if:
* The holes are near foundations of buildings, large shade
trees, or a water source. * Your dog doesn't have a shelter or
his shelter is exposed to the hot sun or cold winds. * You find
evidence that your dog is lying in the holes he digs.
Recommendations
We recommend that you provide your dog with the comfort or
protection he seeks:
* Provide an insulated doghouse. Make sure it affords protection
from wind and sun.
* Your dog may still prefer a hole in the ground, in which case
you can try providing an approved digging area as
described above. Make sure the allowed digging area is in a spot
that is protected from the elements.
* Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that can't be tipped
over.
SEEKING ATTENTION
Any behavior can become attention-getting behavior if the dog
learns that he receives attention for engaging in it. (Even
punishment is a form of attention.) Your dog may be digging to
get attention if:
* He digs in your presence. * His other opportunities for
interaction with you are limited.
Recommendations
We recommend that you ignore the behavior:
* Don't give your dog attention for digging. Remember, even
punishment is attention.
* Make sure your dog has sufficient time with you on a daily
basis. That way, he doesn't have to resort to
misbehaving to get your attention.
SEEKING ESCAPE
Dogs may escape to get to something, to get somewhere, or to get
away from something. Your dog may be digging to escape if:
* He digs along the fence line. * He digs under the fence.
Recommendations
We recommend the following to keep your dog in the yard while
you work on the behavior.
* Bury chicken wire at the base of the fence. Be sure to roll
the sharp edges away from your yard.
* Place large rocks, partially buried, along the bottom of the
fence line.
* Bury the bottom of the fence one to two feet below the surface.
* Lay chain link fencing on the ground (anchored to the bottom
of the fence) to make it uncomfortable for your dog to walk near
the fence.
REGARDLESS OF THE REASON, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND:
* Punishment after the fact. This will not address the cause of
the behavior, and in fact it will worsen any digging that's
motivated by fear or anxiety. Punishment may also cause anxiety
in dogs who aren't currently fearful.
* Staking a dog out near a hole he's dug or filling the hole
with water. These techniques address neither the cause of the
behavior nor the act of digging.
Finally, if you've tried all these suggestions and you still
can't solve your dog's digging problem, then keep him
indoors with you, and be sure to supervise your dog during
bathroom breaks.
About the author:
Effective Dog Training, http://effectivedogtraining.net, a home-based obedience training company is owned and operated by Brian Webbe. Brian, a former police officer, has over 7 years of dog training experience spanning the range from obedience training for family pets to service dogs like those used in Search and Rescue.
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