Dogs dig because they are dogs, and this activity is essential for them…they just can’t help it. It’s hardwired into your genes, it’s fun, and nothing feels better on a hot day than lying on cool, freshly dug up soil. While digging is a natural act for them, it is usually objectionable to the homeowner who prefers their own landscaping.
Dogs also dig out of boredom. Digging is a stress reliever and gives your pet something to do. If your dog is in the yard all day, your property may soon resemble a cratered planet. If the dog digs and gets the desired relief, digging will soon become a learned stress-relieving behavior. It’s harder for a dog to unlearn a behavior than it is to learn a new one, so it’s best not to put him in a position where he feels he must dig to relieve anxiety. In cases like this, spending more time with the pet and increasing his exercise often resolves the excessive digging.
Most pet owners try to fence off areas that are attractive to a digging pet, scold the pet, use odor deterrents, or keep the pet out of the yard. While all of these actions can prevent digging, they don’t address the root issue of why the dog is digging in the first place. If the underlying problem is not addressed and digging is no longer an option, the dog may adopt a new unwanted behavior to relieve his anxiety, such as excessive barking.
Our dog trainers recommend litter boxes for dogs that dig. A small covered litter box can be purchased at toy stores and most home improvement stores. The advantage of a litter box is that it allows the dog to satisfy a primary need in a safe area that you control. If the dog can dig in the litter box, he doesn’t need to head to her flower garden.
To be successful, dogs must be placed in a litter box. Most dogs, even the most advanced diggers, will not dig in front of you, so you need to teach them that digging in this spot is exactly what you want them to do. We recommend that you hide several new toys in the sand and help your dog find them so he can get used to his new digging spot. Sit with him for five or ten minutes so he understands that this is his playground and that digging here is supported by you. Change dog toys weekly to keep them stimulating for your pet.
The goal of all dog training is to provide peaceful solutions to everyday problems so that pets and their owners live in harmony. Give that dog a bone and let the proper digging begin!