Watching your little furry friends joyfully sprint around the backyard is a source of mere fun. But one day, they start digging under the fence. Do they want to escape or something? While burrowing holes seems normal, this behavior might imply something else. Let’s uncover the reasons and tips to prevent their excavating adventure!
In This Article:
Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Escaping Boredom
Let’s face it: busy dog owners can’t spend all day with our furballs. When left alone for an extended time with no one or no other pups around to play with, our pooches tend to seek entertainment on their own. Digging is one of the most common ways to release their pent-up energy and cure their boredom.
Some breeds, like Terriers, Chows, and Huskies, also have a penchant for excavating the surrounding world. These natural diggers are just doing their job, and there’s little thing to do to stop them.
Hunting Prey
Have you ever caught your pup chasing after a butterfly around your garden? Underground or burrowing critters like insects and rodents are also under their radar. We used to walk a Dachshund in a park, and he immediately turned on his predator mode when seeing a bunny hole on the ground. We had a hard time directing his attention then.
If you notice your pooch is only interested in a certain spot of the yard, like around shrubs or the base of trees, chances are he’s hunting for his prey.
Investigating A New Smell
It’s not an exaggeration to say that canines see the world through their noses. When they sniff a new smell, like the fragrance of freshly planted herbs or flowers or an unpleasant stink in the soil, they might dig deeper to identify the source.
Many of our clients also shared that their pups kept burrowing and pulling off flowers they had just planted under the fences. It’s because the soil has been disturbed with something new, drawing their attention to investigate.
Getting Attention
Maybe your four-legged friends have seen you digging the soil for gardening, and they’re just trying to imitate your actions. Or, they are begging for some attention and affection from you. If this is the case, you can spot them doing so when you’re around, signaling that they want you to spend more time with them.
Seeking Comfort and Shelter
When caring for our client’s dogs, we’ve seen many pups burrow large holes and settle down for a contented snooze. We realized that they were trying to escape the intense heat by creating their own comfortable and cool craters.
Your pups can also exhibit this behavior when they sense a source of fear or insecurity, like rain, wind, or thunder. They want to seek a safe shelter, especially near water sources, building foundations, or under large trees.
Hiding Their Toys Or Something
Dogs’ ancestors usually buried prized possessions or excess foods to preserve them for later, and this digging habit was passed down to pups in modern times.
So, when they have any valuable treats, like food or toys, they tend to hide them underground. Their underground “warehouses” also leave their distinct scent, marking their territory behind. Sometimes, our pooches will even bury our shoes, clothes, or other strongly smelled items.
Escaping The Yard
This is the last thing we want to happen, but our dogs might try to escape from our embrace by digging under the fence. It doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not content with you. Sometimes, they just see other dogs or animals and want to join the gang, roaming around the neighborhood.
After all, canines come from the wild, so they more or less love the freedom outside the fence.
Suffering From Stress and Anxiety
Like it or not, there is a risk that your pups are suffering from anxiety and stress when living in the house. Digging is their way of running away from your confinement or the source of their distress. Look for other signs, like excessive barking, whining, and loss of appetite, to check if anxiety is the culprit behind this behavior.
8 Effective Ways To Get A Dog Stop Digging
Do Exercise
Are your dogs bored and looking for something to burn their energy? Give them what they need—exercise! Canines need at least 30 minutes of workout daily. Lack of physical exercise not only leads your pups to dig in the yard but also entails other problems.
We recommend taking your furry friends out for a walk at least twice every day, though we typically walk our clients’ dogs three times a day. Also, don’t forget to play with them using tricks, commands, or active toys like flying disks and balls. If you are swamped with work, place some interesting toys in the yard or at their favorite digging spots to direct their attention.
Limit Access To Their Favorite Digging Spots
The easiest way to keep your dogs’ paws away from your flowers or vegetable beds is to turn them into off-limits areas. Protect them using rocks, raised planters, or decorative fencing, setting clear barriers for your pups.
You might even have to set up taller fences for stubborn diggers. Spraying dog-safe deterrents can keep them from venturing into those areas. You can DIY some repellent sprays using scents that dogs hate, like citrus or vinegar.
Fencing your yard not only discourages your pooches from approaching but also shoos away burrowing animals—dogs’ favorite prey. We recommend burying chicken wire or chain-link fence down to 6 inches or more. Additionally, consider using a capsicum mixture to repel pesky rodents.
Remove The Escape Incentives
There are a few things you can do to curb the digging behavior:
- First, ensure to push your fences as deep as 2 feet underground. No matter how determined they are, your dogs will soon cease digging if they find their effort doesn’t work out.
- Install chain-link fences or chicken wire or half-bury large rocks at the bottom of the fences in your yard. This will add another layer of difficulty during their attempts to escape. Remember to pull the sharp edges outwards to not hurt your furry friends.
- Spay or neuter your dogs to diminish their urge for mating. Once this is done, they will be less likely to jump on or dig under the fence, trying to seek a mate.
Watch Out For Them When Outside
Whenever letting your naughty tornadoes play outside off-leash, keep an eye on them. One moment of neglect, and your garden might turn into a moonscape with holes. Once they start to scratch the ground using their paws, redirect them by calling or giving them toys.
Here’s another tip: ensure your pooches stay hydrated on blazing days so they don’t have to dig for a cool respite. At PetSitUSA, we minimize walking them in hot weather. But if you have to take your pups out, we recommend selecting a shaded place with clean water around to cool them down.
Provide Them With A Safe And Entertaining Environment
As mentioned, fear and boredom are two common triggers behind your dogs’ digging behavior. So, instead of letting them roam around the yard, consider creating a dog-friendly zone there. For example, you can set up a playground with obstacle courses, climbing structures, and kiddie pools. Trust us, your pups will lose track of time in that paradise.
Don’t allow your pups to play freely outdoors on windy, rainy, or stormy days. You can take them for a walk on a leash, but don’t let them out alone. These weather elements can freak them out, urging them to find solace by digging a shelter.
Create A Safe Digging Zone
Sometimes, we need to spoil our little furballs a bit by creating a digging zone just for them. Though you might need some time to introduce the dig pit, your dog will indulge in it soon. Here is how to do it:
- Grab a sandpit or kiddie pool and fill it with dog-safe dirt or sand.
- Select a space away from your garden beds or other off-limit areas. You can set boundaries using garden dividers so your pups won’t enter other zones. Place the prepared dig pit there and introduce it to your dog.
- Stash the dig pit away or cover it carefully when not in use to deter unwanted visitors.
Remove The Sources Of Stress And Anxiety
Anxious dogs tend to find ways to escape from the yard by instinct, so you almost can’t redirect them or force them to do otherwise. The only way is to completely remove the sources of their anxiety or stress.
It can be a hidden animal in your garden or the smell of a plant that they hate. To address their anxiety, try to track down the root cause. You can calm them down by using a calming diffuser and spending more quality time with them.
Proper Training
Digging is not a positive way to draw attention, so don’t give in! Whenever they burrow for attention, simply ignore them. On the other hand, if they seek attention in other good ways, like wagging their tail or sitting in front of you, reward them with high-quality treats. Over time, your pups will link digging with a negative result, and they will get nothing but your cold shoulder.
Additionally, consider training your dogs to nose touch. Whenever you say the marker word or hold your hand palm out, they will leave their “excavation site” to touch their nose to your palm.
What Not To Do?
Punishing your dog after they dig won’t solve the underlying problem and might even make them more scared or anxious, which could lead to even more digging. Also, watching your dog closely near a dug-up hole or filling the hole with water isn’t a long-term solution and might create a negative association with the area.
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Conclusion
Dogs dig holes for various reasons, so the first step is identifying the root cause. Then, you can apply appropriate methods to stop them from digging. Regardless of your chosen solutions, remember to let them exercise and play with them every day. Even a little of your time can go a long way in preventing that bad habit.
