Digging is one of the most common behavioral problems that dog owners face. A dog who digs can be very destructive, damaging the lawn, yard, or gardens and since digging behaviors are instinctual (just like barking or experiencing fear in certain situations), digging can be a hard habit to break. But with some consistent dog training and patience, dog owners can stop digging.
Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Dogs dig for a variety of reasons. The following are the most common reasons for a dog's digging:
- Boredom - A bored dog will look for activities to keep the mind and body active. This is especially common in working breeds. Digging, chewing and barking are among the most common behaviors that arise when a dog is bored.
- To Cool Off - In hot weather, the dog will dig a hole and sit inside as a way to stay cool.
- To Warm Up - In cold weather, the earth is often warmer than the air temperature, so the dog is instinctively driven to dig a hole and sit inside.
- To Bury Bones and Toys - In the wild, dogs bury a fresh kill in a hole to keep it cool and to slow decomposition. Burying "valuables" in a hole is also a way to and to hide the food or toy from other dogs, so a dog will be instinctively driven to dig a hole to hide his favorite toy, a bone or other treats.
- To Search for Rodents - Some dogs have an intense prey drive. And in nature dogs frequently kill small animals that live in the ground. Dogs can smell rodent tunnels in the ground, so they'll start digging thanks to that strong prey drive.
When a dog starts digging in the yard or garden, this is a self-rewarding behavior. This means that the dog gets pleasure from the actual act of digging. Compare this to another act, like obeying a command for sitting - there's nothing inherently rewarding or pleasant about the act of sitting, which is why the owner has to give the dog a treat or other positive reinforcement when he asks the dog to sit.
How Do I Stop My Dog From Digging?
The key to stopping digging is to identify the reason why the dog is digging.
Far and away, boredom is the most common cause for a dog's digging. If the dog is digging only when the owner is not present, this is consistent with digging due to boredom.
A dog who receives little exercise (and no - time spent outside does not count as exercise) will suffer from boredom. So the way to stop digging involves stimulating the dog's mind and body with a game of fetch, a walk, jog or other interactive and physical activities.
In addition to providing more exercise and mental stimulation, dog owners must also make the act of digging less rewarding for the dog. This can be done by filling the hole with stones or dog waste.
Some dog owners bury chicken wire or screening, which can stop digging with some success, as the dog will not appreciate the sensation of moving his feet over the wire. But chicken wire and screening can be dangerous, as the wire can injure the dog's nails and paws.
Another method to stop digging in dogs involves providing the dog with a sand box. Many dogs who dig to hide toys, bones or other "valuables" will enjoy a sand box, which can take the place of digging in inappropriate spots like the garden or yard.
When training a dog to dig only inside a sandbox, it's important to give negative feedback to the dog when he digs in another part of the yard or garden. Filling the favorite digging areas with stones is one method to provide negative feedback. Shaking a noise maker (i.e. a soda can filled with coins) or spritzing the dog with a spray bottle or hose can also deter a dog from digging in the garden or yard.
Meanwhile, the dog must also be rewarded with treats and praise when he digs in his sand box. Over time, the dog will learn that digging in the sandbox is acceptable, while digging in the yard is not.
More Articles on Dog Training and Dog Behavior
For more dog training tips, check out Why is My Dog Biting the Leash? and Why Does My Dog Hate the Mailman, along with Why is My Puppy Biting Me?
 |
