How to Work With Your Dog's Digging Instinct.

Many dogs dig because it was what they were bred to do. Most terriers and Daschunds dig out of hunting instinct. Some dogs dig craters in the yard when it gets hot because the freshly dug earth is cooler. Northern breeds like Huskies and Malamutes dig snow caves to stay warm in. Some will dig holes to hide rawhides, bones and even toys. Some dogs dig because, well because they are dogs and it's fun for them! It's a dog thing and while annoying and destructive at times, it can be managed, and sometimes it's easy to teach a dog not to dig.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. First, try to understand why your dog is digging. Is he digging holes for the sheer fun of it, or because he smells moles or even bugs in the earth? Is he digging to make a cool place for himself? Or does he dig to bury his food, rawhides or treats? Is he trying to get out under the fence?
   
   Understanding just why your dog digs holes is the first step to managing or stopping it.
2. Many dogs like to root around in freshly dug earth, like the vegetable garden or flowerbeds. This is understandable because the soil is easy to dig and very often organic compost is added to the soil. Irresistable to many dogs!
   
   Putting a low barrier, even rope strung along pickets, gives the dog a boundary. Use a hose or sprinkler and an emphatic NO when he tries to go into the garden area. Set him up by hiding, then swooping down on him like an avenging angel the minute a paw hits the forbidden area so he gets the idea that even when you are out of sight, the garden is out of bounds. Play with him in the yard and praise him for staying away from the garden.
3. If your dog is a very determined digger, consider setting aside an area where he is allowed to dig. Again, make some sort of visual boundary so he understands the limits. Give him the idea by half burying toys and treats. Praise for digging in "his" area, correct for straying outside the boundary.
4. I know my dogs will dig craters underneath the deck when I leave them out in the height of summer. Some breeds are less tolerant of heat than others. Consider one of those inexpensive plastic wading pools--many dogs love to cool off in those instead. If your dog is very uncomfortable in the heat, limit her outside time mostly to mornings and evenings and let her hang out inside where it's cooler.
5. If you have a mole or gopher problem, these critters will be almost irresistable to many dogs. It makes sense to control these destructive animals, rather than have your dog compound the damage by digging after them. Many pest control services are relatively inexpensive and offer guarantees, returning as needed to keep the underground critters off your property.
   
   If you decide to eradicate them yourself, be very careful about using poisons in your yard. Follow all directions very carefully to keep your pets safe.
6. If your dog digs to get to the other side of the fence, he may be bored spending time alone in the yard. Consider extra walks and playtime and limiting his outside-alone time.
   
   If this is not feasible, make a shallow, narrow trench along the fenceline and pour in concrete. By leaving the concrete at a lower level than the ground, you can spread soil and grass seed back over it. Once your dog realises he meets resistance everywhere he digs he'll give up.

Tips & Warnings

• Check training schools near you for "earth dog" lessons and competition! These are controlled digs (NOT using live animals) where the dogs get to tunnel and dig to their heart's content.
• Check your digger-dog's toenails frequently for damage and split nails. Nail bed injuries can lead to very nasty infections if not treated early.