Why do dogs enjoy digging? Mostly, it’s just really fun and a normal, natural dog behaviour. Some dogs will dig the ground up so they can lie down in the cooler earth when it’s warm. Other dogs will dig up a spot so they can hide a beloved toy or chew in the hole to retrieve later. And other dogs may dig under a fence to get into a more interesting environment, or to escape a stressful one. Whilst digging is a natural dog behaviour, there are plenty of ways to give that behaviour a more appropriate outlet than digging up your flowerbeds!
Preventing digging
As with all undesirable behaviours, management is our first port of call. In the case of digging up the garden, you might want to look at keeping your dog on a long line whilst they’re outside. You can use fences, puppy gates or anything sturdy and safe to block off areas you don’t want your dog to dig in. Implementing management is especially important if you have plants or vegetables growing that are toxic to dogs. As well as management, supervising your dog in the garden is key to preventing digging. Remember, your dog has no idea that digging is something they’re ‘not allowed’ to do- they just know it feels good! If you’re not there to keep an eye on them, they will continue to dig wherever they like. The same goes for any other behaviour happening outside that you’re not happy about, like barking at the neighbours dog. You need to be supervising them if you want to change the behaviour. Even if your garden is completely secure, we always recommend supervising your dog when they’re outside.
Suitable outlets for digging
Because digging is such a natural, enjoyable behaviour for dogs, it wouldn’t be fair or reasonable to expect them to just stop doing it completely. Instead, you need to give them an appropriate outlet for that behaviour. You could get a sandpit or establish a dig zone in soil/mud in the garden. It doesn’t have to be anything flashy, just an area that your dog is allowed to dig in to their heart’s content and can be redirected to if they start digging elsewhere. If this wouldn’t work for you, try regular trips to places they are allowed to dig, like the beach, instead.
If you think your dog is digging to find somewhere more exciting, you definitely need to be supervising them and having them on a long lead whilst they’re in the garden. Make sure they have plenty of fun things to do and get them engaged in games with you to make their own space more appealing. Conversely, if you think your dog is digging under the fence to escape something stressful in your garden, consider how this situation can be remedied. Sometimes there’s an easy fix, such as shutting your dog inside the house whilst you use the hose or lawn mower. Both of these are everyday items that dogs can find stressful (Duke hates both of them and would much rather be indoors!)
Sandpits
Our personal preference is a sandpit. Duke has one and he absolutely loves it! He very rarely attempts to dig elsewhere in the garden. Here’s a few ideas at different price points:
- Cheap and cheerful plastic shell tub The Range
- Middle of the range wooden sandpit from Amazon
- Fancy wooden sandpit from Mano Mano
Make sure you get a sandpit with a solid base as your dog can easily scratch through a thin bottom liner when digging. Fill your dog’s sandpit with good quality play sand, and not builders sand. This is safer and won’t stain your dog’s skin or coat. This blog post from British Dog Fields has some useful tips. You’ll also want to buy a lid or get a suitable cover for your dog’s sandpit. The neighbourhood cats love to use Duke’s sandpit as a litter tray if we forget to cover it overnight!
What to do if your dog starts digging somewhere you don’t want them to
Recall your dog away from the area and reward them with a high value treat or game with their favourite toy. You can then redirect them to their sandpit or digging zone, or something else they enjoy. Ensure your dog gets enough mental stimulation so that they are not tempted to dig out of boredom. Think about your dog’s breed and what they were bred to do. Dogs often enjoy doing activities that mimic the behaviours they were bred for. We highly recommend checking out the book ‘Canine Enrichment for the real world’ by Shay Kelly for ideas for all types of dogs.
What next?
- Looking for help with your dog? Contact us to arrange in person or online training.
- Read more blog posts here.
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