Stop Dog Digging

Dogs generally dig because they’re just plain bored and have energy they don’t know what else to do with. One of the very best things you can do for your dog to decrease the likelihood of him digging is to make certain he has an outlet to get rid of some of that energy.   

Before leaving for work, take 15 minutes to let him run in the yard, play catch, or throw the Frisbie.  First thing in the morning is ideal in helping him to expend his excess energy.  If you don’t have a yard, roll a tennis ball around the house or up and down stairs and let him chase it.  If he brings it back … that’s even better!  It’ll save your energy level, too. 

Walking on a leash is fine but dogs need to run.  If you have a schoolyard or baseball field with a fenced in area near by, take the extra few minutes to let him run free within the fenced area and actually be a dog.  When he’s tired and you get him back home he’ll be much more calm and relaxed while waiting for you to return.  Then, after you’ve gotten back, changed your clothes, and checked the mail, take him for another run to prepare him to sleep at night.  Keeping his energy level satisfied is crucial.  He’ll also be much healthier! 

If your dog’s persistent and keeps digging holes faster than you can fill them up, you might want to try this method.  Walk your dog by the collar over to the hole and give him a good talking to, in a firm voice, by saying things like, “Did you do this?  This is BAD!  Shame on you”!  It’s a big deal so let him know you aren’t pleased.  Make certain he has a short leash on his collar so he can’t get away from you, and so you can snap it back a few times while you’re telling him “no”.  After a couple of encounters such as this, he should stop. 

If you find that he’s more stubborn than most dogs, add this corrective method.  When you discover another hole he’s dug, use the training method I just explained and remove him to the house, or another area where he can’t watch what you’re about to do.  Then fill the hole within two inches from the top.  Lay some of his own poop on the top and cover it lightly by filling the rest of the hole.  The purpose is actually rather simple. 

Normally dogs will do their “job” in a different area from the one they play or spend most of their time in.  Should your dog once again try digging out the hole, he’ll find your little “gift” to him and will almost always leave the area alone.   

This preparation has been found to be a very good deterrent in most cases, and it doesn’t use chemicals or anything else that would be harmful to your dog.  It’s simply using their own natural instinct to outsmart them.  It’s also a good way to keep track of friends and relatives when they come to visit because it saves time in not having to look for them to find out which newly dug hole they fell into. 

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