How to Stop a Dog From Digging in House Plants

Your dog might be your best friend, and you might enjoy having him in the house. However, dogs are prone to digging and if your dog digs in houseplants, you need to be sure that they don't do this anymore. With this task, it is all about trying different tactics until you discover one that works for you and your dog.

Things You'll Need

• Bitter apple spray
• Sticks or stones
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Move any houseplants that you possibly can. Your dog will probably only dig in the houseplants that he can reach, so if you can move them, do so. Even putting them a few inches off of the ground may make a difference with the houseplants.

2. For those that you can't move, first make sure that they are healthy without any bugs. Dogs will tend to dig in plants that have bugs more often, so get rid of any bugs first.

3. Put a thin layer of aluminum foil into the plant base. Make sure that you can still access the plant to water it. The dog shouldn't want to dig in the foil, as this feels strange to his paws. Crinkle the foil up and see if it works.

4. Add sticks or rocks to the top of the foil if the dog still digs. They will keep the foil in place and hopefully stop the digging. Be sure that you use sticks or rocks that the dog is not interested in.

5. If the dog still digs, spray the entire thing with bitter apple spray, which can be purchased at local pet supply store. If you don't have it, use another flavor, but be sure it is safe for dogs and nontoxic. The goal is to make the area taste and smell like something they don't want to eat.

Tips & Warnings

• Praise your dog when they stay away from the plants.

• Put something underneath the plants, just in case.

• Never hit your dog as punishment, no matter how many plants they get into.