How to Train a Dog not to Dig

Your dog may be copying you when it digs in your garden.

Dogs dig. Digging is an inherent trait in canines, although it is a stronger characteristic in some dogs than in others. You must approach this problem behavior with the expectation that it can be controlled but not extinguished. You may find you have to try several methods to deter the digging before finding a successful resolution, especially if your dog is a terrier or other breed with a genetic predisposition to digging.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken wire or balloons

Instructions

1. Fill a favorite digging spot with something unpleasant to your dog. Placing chicken wire just below the surface of your yard results in a disagreeable feeling on your dog's paws. Bury a balloon that will pop when your dog reaches it, startling the dog and resulting in a negative association.

2. Perform all gardening outside of your dog's sight. Some digging is simply your dog mimicking behavior it sees you doing.

3. Redirect your dog to a toy, game of fetch or obedience training when you catch it digging. Always praise your dog when it stops digging and focuses on something else.

4. Create a designated digging area for your dog. Bury treats and toys in a set area and encourage your dog to investigate. Praise the dog when it digs in this spot and correct it with a firm "No" when it attempts to dig elsewhere. Your dog will learn that digging is rewarding only in the area you have set aside.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider spaying or neutering your dog. This would remove the mating drive, a reason some dogs dig under fences.

• Cover any openings in fences to prevent your dog from seeing happenings outside of the yard, another reason for fence digging.

• Prevent your pet from accessing garden areas, as fresh soil is tempting to many dogs.

• Provide a warm dog house in the winter and a cool area or kiddie pool in the summer. Some digging is done to find warmer or cooler earth.

• Exercise your dog before leaving it alone for an extended period of time. When your dog is worn out, boredom is diminished and often the urge to dig along with it.

• Rid your yard of any animals living underground. Terriers in particular were bred specifically to ferret out small critters.

• Do not punish your dog for digging if you don't catch it doing so. Dogs do not associate your reprimand with something it did before.

References

• Free Dog Training: 6 Ways to Help Train Your Dog Not to Dig
• Dog Obedience Training: How to Stop Dogs From Digging
• Good Dog; Dig This; Marty Guerra