Learn
More!
DIGGING
"I
dig because I can." It's the motto of dogs everywhere, and completely
normal behavior.
Yet the
reasons behind the activity are varied. Your dog may dig to seek entertainment,
attention, comfort, escape, prey, or protection. (Despite how you might
feel sometimes, your dog won't dig out of spite, revenge, or a desire
to destroy your yard.) And just when you think you've outsmarted the
old pooch by finding ways to make the area where he digs unappealing,
your dog will likely begin digging in other locations or display other
unacceptable behavior, such as chewing or barking.
A much
more effective approach to the problem is to address the cause of the
digging. Here's advice on how to figure out why your dog digs-and how
to stop it:
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 or others.
- His
environment is relatively barren-with no 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 that is bred to dig as part of his "job"
(such as a terrier).
- He's
a particularly active type of dog who needs an active job to be happy
(such as a herding or sporting breed).
- 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" in the following ways:
- Walk
your dog at least twice daily. It's good exercise for both of you-mentally
and physically!
- Teach
your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee®, and play with him as often
as possible.
- Teach
your dog a few commands and/or tricks. Practice these commands/tricks
every day for five to ten minutes.
- Take
a training class with your dog and practice daily what you've learned.
- 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 dog
toys work especially well. Rotate the toys to make them seem new and
interesting.
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 that area
with loose soil or sand. If you catch your dog digging in an unacceptable
area, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise and say, "No dig."
Then immediately 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 rocks or
chicken wire into the dirt. Make the acceptable area attractive by burying
safe items for him to discover.
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 specific area instead of at the boundaries of the
yard.
- The
digging is at the roots of trees or shrubs.
- The
digging is in a "path" layout.
Recommendations
We recommend that you search for possible signs of "pests"
and then make your yard unwelcome to them. Avoid methods that could
be toxic or dangerous to your pets or other animals.
Seeking
Comfort or Protection
In hot weather, dogs may dig holes 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 comfort or protection
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 the comfort or protection
he seeks:
- Provide
an insulated doghouse. Make sure it affords protection from wind and
sun.
- Your
dog may still prefer a hole in the ground, in which case you can try
providing an "approved digging area" as described above.
Make sure the allowed digging area is in a spot that is protected
from the elements.
- Provide
plenty of fresh water in a bowl that can't be tipped over.
Seeking
Attention
Any behavior can become attention-getting behavior if the dog learns
that he receives 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:
- Don't
give your dog attention for digging. Remember, even punishment is
attention.
- Make
sure your dog has sufficient time with you on a daily basis. That
way, 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. Your dog may be digging to escape if:
- He digs
along the fence line.
- He digs
under the fence.
Recommendations
We recommend the following to keep your dog in the yard while you work
on the behavior modifications recommended on our tip sheet, The Canine
Escape Artist.
- Bury
chicken wire at the base of the fence. Be sure to roll the sharp edges
away from your yard.
- Place
large rocks, partially buried, along the bottom of the fence line.
- Bury
the bottom of the fence one to two feet below the surface.
- 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. This will not address the cause of the behavior, and
in fact it will worsen any digging that's motivated by fear or anxiety.
Punishment may also cause anxiety in dogs who aren't currently fearful.
- Staking
a dog out near a hole he's dug or filling the hole with water. These
techniques address neither the cause of the behavior nor the act of
digging.
- Finally,
if you've tried all these suggestions and you still can't solve your
dog's digging problem, then keep him indoors with you, and be sure
to supervise your dog during bathroom breaks.
©2002.
Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal behaviorists
at the Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado.
