Why Dogs Try to Dig Out of the Yard

"To dig, or not to dig. . ."

Dogs dig mainly because digging can be fun for the animal. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) notes that dogs find digging to be very entertaining, especially if there is not much to do in the yard.

Rewards

Digging uncovers insects, roots, buried bones and objects that dogs value high enough to continue digging. If they find something good by digging once, they will dig again.

Sex

Dogs that not been spayed and neutered will dig to escape a yard so they can get out and mate, according to Super Pet Dog Training in Sacramento.

Breeds

Terriers are particularly prone to digging because they have been bred to hunt small, burrowing creatures by digging them up out of the ground and then attack them.

Temperature

The HSUS also notes that in hot weather, dogs will dig off the top layer of dirt in order to reach the cool dirt underneath. Then, they like to lie down on the cool spot.

Pregnancy

Pregnant dogs will often try to dig a den to have their puppies, even if a comfortable nesting box is available indoors.

References

• "KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy"; Liz Palika; 2002
• HSUS: Dig This: How to Get Your Dog to Stop Digging
• Super Dog Training: Why Do Dogs Like Digging So Much?

Resources

• Best Friends.org: Digging in Dogs
• Discovery.com: Animal Planet: Terrier Dog Breeds
• DogChannel.com