Dogs are pretty good at digging holes. Unfortunately for us pet owners, this also means our furry friends are quite capable of ruining our property, from the backyard, to the garden, to the couch.
The fact is, digging holes is a common issue among untrained dogs, and is up there with pooping and peeing everywhere as one of our canine companions’ most headache-inducing behaviors. But why, exactly, do dogs dig? Do they derive pleasure from the nuisance the activity causes their humans? Or are canines simply wired to turn every inch of earth they come across inside out?
Join us as we discuss the various reasons why dogs dig holes, and how to stop such behavior.
1. Hiding food and other treasures
Many thousands of years ago, our dogs’ wild ancestors learned the value of digging holes.
Ancient canids faced a difficult reality: they had to hunt prey to survive, and prey wasn’t always available. Whenever they did acquire a fresh kill, they ate as much of the meat as they could, then saved the leftovers for another day.
Unfortunately, leaving the excess meat out in the open made it a prime target for opportunistic pack members, rival species, and insects. Exposure to direct sunlight also hastened the meat’s decomposition.
Thus, ancient canids learned to bury food deep within the earth. This concealed the meat’s odor from other hungry creatures, preventing it from attracting unwanted attention from potential thieves. The soil also acted as a natural refrigerator, cooling and preserving the meat so that it didn’t spoil so quickly.
Digging holes to bury food therefore became crucial to the ancient canid’s survival, so much so that the behavior was passed down from generation to generation. Today, it’s one of the modern dog’s many natural instincts. And dogs don’t just bury edibles — they bury any prized possessions, including toys.
If you catch your dog digging a hole in your garden, chances are they’re trying to bury something their instinct is telling them to protect. They may even try digging holes in your sofa, carpet, or any other type of soft furniture or fixture.
The solution:
To stop your dog from digging, always give them just the right amount of food so that they eat everything. Any leftovers should be stored or thrown away. Avoid offering them treats or a bone immediately after they’ve fed, as they may see this as excess food to be hidden.
The same goes for toys. Two toys are usually good enough. Any more than that, and your pet might start worrying about other critters stealing all that extra stuff from them.
You can also designate a specific digging zone for your canine companion where they can bury whatever they want. Loosen this spot’s soil to entice your pooch to dig there, and always reward them when they do use said spot for their digging needs. Over time, they’ll learn to avoid excavating other areas, thus saving your property (and your sanity).
2. Hunting prey
Like most carnivores, our doggy pals often see smaller creatures as food. And thanks to the canine prey drive, they’re not about to let any tasty snack escape. If your beloved pooch smells a tiny animal burrowing through the earth, they will therefore attempt to dig it out and catch it.
While all modern dogs come with a built-in prey drive, some breeds have a stronger urge to hunt than others. Breeds that were created to hunt small game and rodents, for example, are more likely to dig for animals they’ve scented. Examples of such breeds include terriers such as Jack Russel Terriers and Rat Terriers, and small hounds like everyone’s favorite wiener dog, the Dachshund.
How can you tell if your dog digs due to a desire to catch an animal? They’ll look extremely excited and motivated while digging, focus their efforts on a particular spot or path, and touch the ground with their nose or even shove their entire snout into a hole as if they’re searching for something.
Like digging holes to bury food, digging holes to catch prey is a behavior modern dogs inherited from their ancient canine ancestors.
The solution:
If you suspect you have burrowing animals under your yard or garden, build an underground barrier, such as a fence line, to keep them out of your property. You can also repel these critters by sprinkling garlic powder, coffee grounds, or similar non-toxic household products onto tunnel entrances and other areas they frequent. Whether or not you’re attempting to encourage your doggo to stop digging, keep in mind to employ humane methods when getting rid of pests on your property.
3. Denning
The desire to create a den is another trait modern canines, including domestic dogs, red foxes, and gray wolves, inherited from their ancient ancestors.
Therefore, some dogs dig to create a small, cozy space in the earth they can call home. Such a shelter can grant your animal a sense of security against potential hazards, from inclement weather to nasty rival creatures. Those with newborn pups may also attempt to create a shelter to keep their family safe from all types of possible harm.
For the same reasons, a dog that creates a den out of a pile of cushions or blankets, or that prefers to sleep in the narrow spaces between or under furniture, is likely also seeking comfort and safety.
The solution:
Because denning is an instinct, it’s not possible to completely rid your dog of the desire to seek shelter in small, tight spaces. What you can do is divert their den-seeking behaviors so that they’re less destructive.
Proper crate training, especially during your pet’s puppy years, is an excellent way to get your dog to stop digging. Over time, your dog will see their crate as the den they can crawl into when they require comfort.
You can provide your pet with a bundle of pillows or blankets they can use for shelter. The space under a piece of furniture will also do, as long as the furniture is sturdy and the space is clean. Also, consider getting your dog a doghouse.
Always bring your dog inside the house during extremely cold or hot weather, whenever it’s raining or snowing, and when fireworks or other loud noises can scare them.
In addition, training, as well as helping your dog feel safe, relaxed, and loved, can prove indispensable in your efforts to solve your dog’s digging problem — as you’ll see further below.
4. The urge to escape
When a dog digs a hole under your fence, there’s a chance they’re trying to tunnel under the barrier to escape the confines of your property. Does this mean your beloved pet can’t stand you? Unless you’re a terrible fur parent, the answer is no.
Dogs try to escape for several reasons. Maybe they’ve smelled another doggo on the other side of the fence and they’re excited to meet them. If that other dog is a potential mate, an unspayed or unneutered dog may go haywire in an attempt to reach them.
Maybe your pet has scented prey and their hunting instincts have kicked in, urging them to chase their target down.
Or maybe your pooch is simply bored or antsy from all that pent-up energy and wants to run and keep running until they’re too exhausted to go any further.
At any rate, if your canine pal wants to escape, they’ll dig. Some dog breeds, including the Siberian Husky, are better escape artists than others. If you want to spare yourself the grief of having a missing pet, it therefore pays to know as much as you can about a specific breed of dog’s behavioral issues before getting such a dog.
The solution:
Structural changes to your fence, such as making it higher or tilting its top inward will prevent your dog from seeing outside your property, therefore ridding them of a reason to chase animals on the other side of the fence.
To prevent escapes, you can bury chicken wire (bend the sharp edges outwards from the yard), a line of large rocks, or a similar barrier along the fence’s bottom line. A concrete footer can also deter even the most dogged escape attempt.
You can also neuter or spay your dog. This will remove from your pet a number of problem-causing behaviors, such as the urge to seek mates during the female’s heat cycle.
5. Boredom
A dog with a surplus of pent-up energy will find a way to release all that energy, usually in the form of destructive behavior. A bored, unhappy pooch is therefore more likely to munch on your couch, rip your slippers to shreds, and dig holes.
So if a dog digging a hole is quite possibly a dog entertaining themselves, how do you curtail such behavior?
The solution:
One of the most effective ways to stop your furry friend from digging is to train them. The mental and physical stimulation they experience during training exercises will keep them happy, relieve their boredom, and solidify their place in their pack.
Daily walks are also crucial if you want to ensure your dog’s health and happiness and get them to stop digging. Physical exercise keeps their muscles strong and provides them an opportunity to expend all that pent-up energy. Additionally, walks satisfy the dog’s urge to go out and explore as well as their need for social interaction. The new scents they experience along the way also nourish their mind.
If possible, take your fluffy companion to pet-friendly beaches, doggie swimming pools, and places where you can both enjoy nature’s wonders. Such adventures will give you and your dog a zest for life and an increased appreciation for all the world has to offer.
6. Stress relief
A dog’s digging may be explained by anxiety, which can encourage numerous destructive behaviors, including chewing on the furniture, being snippy with other pets, and excavating your backyard until it resembles a warzone. And, as previously mentioned, a dog that feels insecure may dig to build themselves a den where they can feel safe and comfortable.
Anxiety is often caused by various factors, chief among them a history of abuse and/or neglect. An abused dog may see danger everywhere and thus engage in activities that bring them comfort — such as digging holes. A neglected dog may exhibit attention-seeking behaviors, even if it means destroying your garden.
To get your furbaby to quit digging, you’ll have to take care of their mental well-being.
The solution:
As a digging dog may be an anxious dog, helping your beloved pet feel safe, relaxed, and loved can go a long way in solving your dog’s digging problem. So make sure to give your dog lots of love and attention. Play games with your pooch. Teach them tricks. Rub their belly and scratch them behind the ears. Reward good behaviors by presenting them treats and praising them.
Training is also essential to the mental health of dogs. One of its many benefits is its ability to develop a strong canine-human bond. A dog that feels they can trust you will feel safe with you and in your home, and thus will be less inclined to dig a hole in your backyard to crawl into when their sense of safety is threatened.
Of course, not all training methods are equal. Shouting at or hitting your pet is strongly discouraged, as it can make them even more fearful. So stick with positive reinforcement to ensure your dog feels secure around you.
In closing…
Dogs digging where they’re not supposed to is part of the dog owner experience. Thankfully, training, regular exercise, and spending quality time with your dog all cultivate their feelings of security, comfort, and happiness, making such strategies essential in your efforts to stop your furry best friend from digging holes in your garden, yard, or furniture. If necessary, you can also make changes to your pet’s surroundings to prevent undesirable behaviors.
As long as you use the methods described in this article, even the most dedicated digger will stop ruining your yard in no time.