CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
How to Solve the Digging
Problem
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and Humane Society of the
Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for
widely varying reasons. Your dog may be:
·
seeking entertainment ! seeking prey
·
seeking comfort or protection ! seeking attention
·
seeking escape
Dogs don’t dig, however, out of spite, revenge or a desire to
destroy your yard. Finding ways to make the area where the dog digs unappealing
may be effective, however, it’s likely that he’ll just begin digging in other
locations or display other unacceptable behavior, such as chewing or barking. A
more effective approach is to address the cause of the digging, rather than
creating location aversions.
Seeking Entertainment
Dogs may dig as a form of self-play when they learn that roots and
soil “play back.” Your dog may be digging for entertainment if:
·
He’s left alone in the yard
for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction with you
·
His environment is
relatively barren, without playmates or toys
·
He’s a puppy or adolescent
(under three years old) and doesn’t have other outlets for his energy
·
He’s the type of dog (like a
terrier) that is bred to dig as part of his “job”
·
He’s a particularly active
type of dog (like the herding or sporting breeds) who needs an active job to be
happy
·
He’s recently seen you
“playing” in the dirt (gardening or working in the yard)
Recommendations:
We recommend expanding your dog’s world and increasing his “people
time” the following ways:
v Walk your dog regularly. It’s good exercise, mentally and
physically, for both of you!
v Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as
often as possible.
v Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks. Practice these
commands/tricks every day for five to ten minutes.
v Take an obedience class with your dog and practice daily what
you’ve learned.
v Keep interesting toys in the yard to keep your dog busy even when
you’re not around (Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box toys).
Rotating the toys makes them seem new and interesting.
v For dedicated diggers, provide an “acceptable digging area.”
Choose an area of the yard where it’s okay for your dog to dig and cover the
area with loose soil or sand. If you catch your dog digging in an unacceptable
area, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, say, “no dig” and take the dog
to his designated digging area. When he digs in the approved spot, reward him
with praise. Make the unacceptable digging spots unattractive (at least
temporarily) by setting sharp rocks or chicken wire into the dirt.
Seeking Prey
Dogs may try to pursue burrowing animals or insects that live in
your yard. Your dog may be pursuing prey if:
·
The digging is in a very
specific area, usually not at the boundaries of the yard
·
The digging is at the roots
of trees or shrubs
·
The digging is in a “path”
layout
Recommendations:
v We recommend that you search for possible signs of pests and then
rid your yard of them. Avoid methods that could be toxic or dangerous to your
pets.
Seeking Comfort or Protection
In hot weather, dogs may dig holes in order to lie in the cool
dirt. They may also dig to provide themselves with shelter from cold, wind or
rain, or to try to find water. Your dog may be digging for protection or comfort
if:
·
The holes are near
foundations of buildings, large shade trees or a water source
·
Your dog doesn’t have a
shelter or his shelter is exposed to the hot sun or cold winds
·
You find evidence that your
dog is lying in the holes he digs
Recommendations:
We recommend that you provide your dog with other sources for the
comfort or protection he seeks.
v Provide an insulated doghouse. Make sure it affords protection
from wind and sun.
v Your dog may still prefer a hole in the ground, in which case you
can try the “approved digging area” recommendation described above. Make sure
the allowed digging area is in a protected spot.
v Provide plenty of fresh water in a bowl that can’t be tipped over.
Seeking Attention
Any behavior can become attention-getting behavior if dogs learn
that they receive attention for engaging in it (even punishment is a form of
attention). Your dog may be digging to get attention if:
·
He digs in your presence
·
His other opportunities for
interaction with you are limited
Recommendations:
We recommend that you ignore the behavior.
v Don’t give your dog attention for digging (remember, even
punishment is attention).
v Make sure your dog has sufficient time with you on a daily basis, so
he doesn’t have to resort to misbehaving to get your attention.
Seeking Escape
Dogs may escape to get to something, to get somewhere or to get
away from something. For more detailed information, please see our handout: “The Canine Escape Artist.” Your dog
may be digging to escape if:
·
He digs along the fence line
·
He digs under the fence
Recommendations:
We recommend the following in order to keep your dog in the yard
while you work on the behavior modifications recommended in our handout: “The
Canine Escape Artist.”
v Bury chicken wire at the base of the fence (sharp edges rolled
under)
v Place large rocks, partially buried, along the bottom of the fence
line
v Bury the bottom of the fence one to two feet under the ground
v Lay chain link fencing on the ground (anchored to the bottom of
the fence) to make it uncomfortable for your dog to walk near the fence
Regardless of the reason for digging, we don’t recommend:
·
Punishment after the fact.
Not only does this not address the cause of the behavior, any digging that’s motivated
by fear or anxiety, will be made worse. Punishment may
also cause anxiety in dogs that aren’t currently fearful.
·
Staking a dog out near a
hole he’s dug or filling the hole with water. These techniques don’t
address the cause of the behavior, or the act of digging.