How to Stop Dogs from Digging

When it comes to dog ownership, one cannot overlook the fact that your canine companion will inevitably dig countless holes in your yard. Dogs dig for many reasons—boredom, hunting, comfort, attention-seeking, or simply as a natural instinct among other instincts. To some extent, you might tolerate a few holes as part of owning a dog. However, there are several practical steps you can take to prevent your dog from turning your yard into something resembling a World War I trench.

Diagnosing the Issue. If you can determine why your dog is digging, addressing the behavior will be much more effective. Some instances of digging are random and unpredictable, but more often than not, there are identifiable reasons behind it.

• Dogs typically dig for five primary reasons: entertainment, physical comfort, to attract attention, to escape, or due to unclear causes. By monitoring when, where, and how your dog digs, you'll be able to figure out the root cause.
• It's important to remember that digging is a natural instinct for most dogs and it doesn't necessarily need to be fully prevented. Some breeds, such as dachshunds and terriers, were specifically bred to dig as part of their hunting nature. If you anticipate that digging might become a significant issue, carefully research dog breeds known for their digging tendencies before adopting a new pet.

Pay more attention to your dog.

According to many dog lovers, dogs are quite similar to children, one of the main similarities being their desire for attention at any cost when necessary. Your dog may have learned that digging a hole in your beautiful garden will get your attention, even if it's negative attention.

• If you believe this is the case, ignore your dog after it digs a hole and instead focus positively on good behavior.
• Additionally, make sure your dog spends ample time with you at other times. A happy dog will not seek attention in inappropriate ways. Excluding your dog as a punishment for digging may only make the situation worse.

Prevent digging safely.

You must catch your dog in the act of digging if you want to effectively express disapproval of the behavior. Since digging usually happens when you’re not observing, you need to find ways to make the act of digging unpleasant for the dog.

• Remember: punishing your dog for digging after the fact won’t solve the problem and may worsen the anxiety that started the digging behavior in the first place.
• Use a garden fence to isolate the areas where digging frequently occurs. Even a small obstacle can discourage the dog.
• Buried rocks in the digging areas can also help, as the rocks make digging harder and less appealing. Large, flat rocks are especially effective because they are difficult to move.
• Place a thin layer of wire mesh or B40 mesh just below the surface. The discomfort of the wire beneath its paws will discourage the dog. This method is most effective when placed near the fence (see tips below).

Seek professional help when necessary. If you're having trouble identifying the reason behind your dog's digging behavior or struggling to stop it even when you know why it's happening, it’s time to consult an expert. Certified dog trainers and animal behaviorists can provide tailored advice and techniques to help you understand the cause and manage your pet’s digging habits.

• Consider signing up for a basic training class with your dog. When you apply calm and assertive training methods, your dog will begin to see you as its leader. As things progress well, your dog will respect you deeply and retain all the commands learned during training.
• Teach basic commands such as “Stop,” “Sit,” “Heel,” etc. Practice these for 10 minutes daily. Ignore mistakes and reward your dog immediately when it gets it right.
• When you catch your dog digging, don’t confront it directly. Instead, use negative reinforcement. Make a loud sound (for example, shaking a can with coins inside) to distract the dog. This unpleasant noise will become associated with the digging behavior.

Build a sandbox for your dog to dig in. This is a designated area in your yard where your dog is allowed to dig. Encourage your dog to play in this space rather than venturing into off-limits digging areas.

• Use wooden beams or a low fence to outline the area and fill it with loose, fertile soil.
• Bury treats and scented rewards in the sandbox to entice your dog and encourage it to dig there.
• If you catch your dog digging in an undesignated area, say “No digging!” firmly and guide it to the sandbox. Immediately reward the dog for digging in the proper space.

Create a shaded area outside for your dog. If you don’t provide a place for your dog to stay cool in hot weather, it might dig to find a cooler spot. This is especially true if the digging occurs near the foundation of a building, trees, or a water source.

• Provide a cozy, comfortable doghouse so your dog can escape the heat (and cold) during the day.
• Don’t leave your dog outside without proper shelter in extreme heat or cold. Keep your dog indoors more if necessary.
• Ensure your dog always has a water bowl that is full and difficult to tip over, as pets may get thirsty throughout the day.

Remove the prey your dog is trying to chase. Some dogs are natural hunters and enjoy the thrill of chasing. If your dog is digging near large trees or plants, or in areas with raised dirt, it’s likely it has discovered a rodent or other animal and is trying to catch it.

• Find a safe way to block, cover, or rearrange your yard to make it less attractive to unwanted animals. (Contact authorities if you’re unsure about the type of animal you’re dealing with.)
• Do not use any poisons to eliminate the prey from your yard. Any poison that harms rodents can also pose a danger to your dog.

Prevent your dog from escaping. Dogs may attempt to escape your yard to reach something, go somewhere, or simply run away. This is particularly evident if the digging holes are located near the fence. If you suspect this is the case, try to understand where your dog is trying to escape to or from, and encourage it to stay within your yard.

• Dig a layer of thin steel mesh beneath the boundary of the fence. Be sure that the sharp edges face upward and inward, or at least away from your dog to avoid injury.
• Bury some rocks along the fence to block any digging attempts that might breach the boundary.
• Extend the fence deeper into the ground. Burying it 0.3 to 0.6 meters deep will make it harder for your dog to reach the top.
• If your dog is attempting to escape into another yard (possibly to interact with another dog), you may want to consider erecting a new fence that blocks the view of the other dog from your yard.

Remove tempting factors. The more temptations there are, the harder it is for your dog to resist digging. If you create a yard with fewer enticing elements, it will be easier to manage the digging behavior (to a certain extent).

• Dogs enjoy digging in loose, soft soil. If you're working on landscaping, hide loose soil from your dog’s view with a fence or covering material.
• Go outside and remove any bones or other items your dog has buried. Don’t let your dog see you doing this, or it will think it’s part of the game. Fill in the holes and add deterrents (as mentioned above) when needed.
• If you're gardening, avoid letting your dog watch you till or dig the soil, as this can serve as positive reinforcement (essentially, your dog will think “You can do it, so why can’t I?”)
• Keep your yard clean. Remove any attractive odors. As previously noted, handle any issues with rodents or small mammal species.

• Directly punishing your dog is often ineffective. At best, scolding, spanking, or hitting your dog may only stop the digging when you're nearby.
• Prevent your dog from escaping by laying down 0.9 meters of thin steel mesh, extending it across the ground and attaching it to the fence (with 0.6 meters of fence above ground). Grass will grow through it and (hopefully) deter any escape attempts.
• A digital fence (connected to an electric box, available online) can complement most types of dog fences. The fence stands approximately 17.8 cm above the ground and can prevent your dog from getting close enough to dig. The dog will only touch the fence once.
• If using dog feces as a deterrent, only use your own dog’s waste; feces from other dogs won’t be as effective.
• Buy a book on dog training and behavior to read. Forget about TV stars and go for real trainers with books that stand the test of time. Consider reading Training Dogs Scientifically by Vương Trung Hiếu.
• Cementing can also be effective in filling holes near the fence (pour the cement into the holes, add water, and do not let the dog outside while it’s hardening).

• Some dog breeds love to dig (they don't face issues with obedience or boredom). It's important to research the typical traits of a breed before getting a pet. If you can't tolerate digging as part of your dog's happiness, then you should avoid getting that breed. Some ancient dog breeds dig simply for the joy of digging, including the Australian Cattle Dog and the Portuguese Podengo (which isn't very common here). Additionally, most terrier breeds enjoy digging and need to be allowed to do so, as long as they can't escape.
• Many dogs don't enjoy using litter boxes (if using the litter box method).