Help Them Get Their Energy Out
Dogs sometimes dig up yards because they just have too much energy. If your dog seems to be always digging in the yard, try taking them on more walks and hikes. (There are plenty of amazing ones in our area!) Of course, when the weather gets hot, it can be too much for your pup. That’s when it’s an excellent time to play inside or practice those training exercises! Whether you’re exercising them outside or inside, exercise is crucial for helping your dog get their energy out. You can stop your dog from digging by making sure they’re nice and tired.
Block off your dogs access
Is you dog focusing his digging efforts on a specific section in your yard?
He can’t dig up your lawn or garden bed if he can’t get near it.
The easiest way to stop your dog accessing his favorite digging spot is to fence it off.
Exactly how you do this will depend on your yard.
For fencing off the lawn, you can attach patio fencing to posts with zip ties, sectioning off the yard.
Another option is to buy an outdoor baby gate for your porch steps. This way your dog can’t make his way off the porch to the grass below.
Fencing is a popular solution for stopping dogs from digging in vegetable gardens and flower beds
When choosing a fencing solution, consider the breed of dog you are trying to keep out…
A small fence will likely keep a pug out. More athletic dogs, such as German Shepherds, can jump up to 6 feet and will need a much taller fence.
When in doubt, buy the tallest fence possible.
While it may take some creativity to fence off your yard, the result is worth it – your pup won’t be able to access his favorite digging spot.
What if you could create a barrier in the ground that would stop your dog from digging?
Well, you can do just that. All you need is a roll of chicken wire and an afternoon to install it.
This wire mesh is typically used to keep chickens from digging in your vegetable garden. But it works just as well for dogs.
Roll out the chicken wire laying it flat. Pin it down, and you now have a horizontal barrier that your dog can’t dig through – if you don’t like the look, cover it with a thin layer of soil.
When your dog tries to dig, his paws will scrape along the chicken wire – preventing him from scratching up the soil underneath. Even the most determined digger will eventually give up!
However, you should know that metal chicken wire has a severe drawback. It has sharp pieces, especially if it rusts.
If your dog scrapes his foot across the chicken wire while attempting to dig, he can injure his paw pad – you don’t want that.
That’s why I prefer to use plastic poultry fencing. It’s affordable, durable and won’t harm your pup’s paws.
Best of all, once covered with a layer of soil or grass, plastic poultry fencing is invisible. Your guests will never know you are battling a digging problem!
Sure, you’ll need to set aside an afternoon to install a digging barrier. But the time spent here is worth it – it’s a long-lasting digging solution.
You can also make a barrier by burying large rocks where your dog digs. If you have plenty of stones on hand, this could be a cheaper solution to chicken wire.
How to stop your dog from digging
Dogs dig holes for many reasons, and training experts say figuring out what’s motivating your pooch can help solve the problem. Let’s look at the most common reasons dogs dig up the backyard and what you can do to stop it.
Step 1: Provide a sandbox.
Some breeds are natural-born diggers. Digging is an instinctual behavior that goes back to our dogs’ wild ancestors. Many hunting dogs, such as terriers, beagles, and dachshunds are bred to dig prey out of their dens.
Behaviorists at the Humane Society of the United States recommend providing a sandbox to meet your dog’s digging needs. Bury a bone in the sand to attract him to his new playground. If you catch him digging outside the box, say, “No digging!” and redirect him to the sandbox. You can make his old digging spots unattractive by temporarily filling the holes with rocks or covering them with mesh wire.
Step 2: Redirect your dog to cooler spots in the yard on really hot days.
Does your dog tend to dig holes during the summer months and then lie in the hollow he’s made? Smart boy! The earth under the surface is cool and feels good to your dog.
Redirecting your dog to shady spots in the yard, such as under a tree, can help. Praise your dog when he stays there. You might also consider an all-weather-protection doghouse. In extreme temperatures, of course, your dog should stay indoors.
Step 3: Keep your dog from trying to escape.
Some dogs dig holes under the fence to escape. This could be in pursuit of wildlife or a neighborhood pet but can also happen if a dog is bored.
Attach chicken wire to the base of the fence to stop escape digging. To avoid this problem altogether, never leave your dog alone in the yard for long periods. It’s also important to provide mental stimulation by walking your dog at least twice a day.
Step 4: Prevent your dog from taking toys into the yard.
In the wild, wolves bury food they can’t eat immediately to protect it from scavengers. Dogs inherited this behavior, and some will bury toys or bones in the yard.
Limit the number of toys or bones you give your dog, so he won’t have extras to hide. Don’t let your dog take toys into the yard, and if he chews on a bone outside, remove it when he loses interest, so he doesn’t have an opportunity to bury it.
Step 5: Keep your dog mentally stimulated.
Many dogs dig just because they enjoy it. Digging turns up interesting smells and offers mental stimulation. This will often happen in places where you’ve recently been gardening.
In addition to long walks, training experts recommend playing ball or Frisbee or enrolling in training classes to provide mental stimulation.