How to Prevent a Dog From Digging the Lawn

If you have a dog you are probably familiar with the dog's desire to dig to the bottom of things, including your yard. You may have small little holes scattered around your yard or you may have areas of grass that are barely visible because your canine companion has been digging up the lawn. If your digging dog has become too much to bear, consider implementing a few of the steps below.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Ask yourself if it is possible that your dog may be bored. Bored dogs do things that are not up to human standards. One of the things they do is dig, so entertain your bored dog more often.

2. Stimulate your dog's intellectual development and agility by engaging in dog training activities. This type of stimulation may be all your dog needs to go outside and take a nap in the shade instead of digging up your lawn.

3. Observe your digging dog carefully to determine if there is some sort of prey that is enticing your dog to dig. If this is the case, examine options to discourage the prey's presence in your yard.

4. Look around your yard to be sure that your dog has adequate shelter. Some dogs dig because they are in search of shelter from the heat, cold or moisture. If there is not a good shelter, then provide your pet with a shelter.

5. Consider providing your dog with an approved digging area, especially if your dog is seeking a certain type of shelter. If the dog knows that digging is approved in a certain area, then you are likely to see digging lessen in other areas.

6. Watch your dog to see where the digging occurs. If your dog is digging near the fence line, then the dog may be trying to escape. You can prevent this type of digging by placing some rocks along the fence line and slightly under the ground.

7. Call your veterinarian to get a recommendation for a dog trainer. Training your dog will help with lots of behaviors including digging.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't punish your dog for digging. Punishment after the fact may confuse your dog or make your dog more anxious.

[bluehyacinth]

on 6/19/2009 I used chinese red pepper from the local restaurant and sprinkled it around my shrubs. One good sniff and they don't come back. It doesn't harm the dog, either.