To keep your dog from digging holes you must understand that whether male or female, it’s a natural instinct embedded deep in their DNA. Canine ancestors of wild dogs used to store and hide food for their pups by burying it in their dens. This safe place provided shelter for their young and served as a refuge from other animals and adverse weather conditions.
Reasons Why
When a furry companion left on their own starts decorating their yard with holes, there are several underlying reasons dogs dig. A dog’s breed also plays a part in why they dig. Some domestic dogs bury bones, but nothing else, while hunting dogs may be looking for mice or rabbits. Terriers, for instance, were historically bred to route animals from their burrows. Other dog breeds like hounds, and retrievers possess an inherent canine trait that makes them adept diggers. To get your dog to stop digging holes you need to dig deep yourself to first understand the root problem.
Natural Instinct
Even in a domestic dog, the urge to burrow and dig holes is hardwired into their canine DNA. For them, it’s as instinctual as barking or expressing joy with a wagging tail. Stashing valuable resources to preserve food, or protect against potential predators and thieves fuels their obsession to bury things. Burying behavior can be traced back to their wild ancestors whether it’s a toy, treat, or burying food. Even within the confines of the house, don’t be surprised to find them digging on their bed or the couch, as it’s just their way of seeking solace.
Solution: Instead of combating the natural behavior that most dogs inherited, provide an environment where they can safely act on them. Assure your dog that their treasured belongings are protected. Many breeds find solace in tucking away their toys in a snug dog bed. Alternatively, try designating a specific section of your yard where they have the freedom to indulge their natural urges. On embark on a journey to understand more about canine habituation and desensitization.
Boredom
At the core of numerous dog behavioral issues is a lack of something better to do. Bored dogs can favor constant digging just to combat monotony. When idle, canines will conjure up numerous ways to keep entertained, and dogs digging holes is a prime example. If your garden is turning into a minefield of holes, it could be a sign of your boredom.
Solution: Dogs thrive on stimulation. To combat canine instinct or feelings of isolation, spend some quality time on the couch with them. Grant them the freedom to run wild at the dog park or relish the sensation of the wind tousling their fur during a fun car ride. If you have personal commitments, consider asking a friend or neighborhood, or even hiring a dog walker or dog companion to keep them company.
Hiding Things
Have you ever witnessed your dog bury a bone or their prized possessions behind couch cushions with a look of sheer satisfaction on their face? This simple answer to why do dogs hide treats is that a dog’s natural instinct ensures them they are making a wise choice. When they find themselves with an excess of goodies, dogs may bury toys or treats just to maintain a tidy living space. Additionally, if there are other potential scavengers nearby, they might bury food or start burying bones to save them for their next meal.
Solution: When your act dog hides things regularly, acting food caching like a gray wolf, assess the circumstances before handing over their treat. Ensure your dog is hungry, there aren’t any potential birds or thieves lurking nearby, and that there’s no easy access to the yard. You can also harness these training techniques to curb a dog’s urge and instill impulse control in your canine companion.
Cooling off
When the mercury rises, you might spot your dog digging holes fervently in hot weather just to feel the refreshing coolness of the soil beneath the sun-scorched surface. Direct sunlight or sticky humidity can also cause your dog to overheat. If seem to enjoy lounging in their self-made pits during sweltering days, it’s a good indicator that they’re just trying to cool down.
Solution: By offering them cool water and a shady, breezy spot to relax in you might find they prefer it to the effort required to dig holes. Providing them with a well-ventilated dog house might simply ensure they don’t venture very far from it.
Escaping
Dogs are creatures of the wild that long for vast fields and dense woods. If your dog digs holes near fences or walls, this could be a sign they feel trapped and are attempting a jailbreak as they instinctively search for the nearest exit.
Restricting them to confined spaces or leaving them alone for extended durations can also be a recipe for mischief. The allure of what lies beyond the fence line can be incredibly tantalizing for a restless rover with an adventurous streak. On the other hand, their underlying intention might be as simple as wanting to socialize with other dogs or humans. Wanderlust for unneutered male dogs’ pent-up frustration, might also be fueled by nearby females in heat.
Solution: An abundance of activity! Aim to exhaust their energy reservoirs of energy with invigorating games like fetch and tug-of-war. Accompanying them on brisk walks or exhilarating runs can also curb their wanderlust. You can also bolster your fence’s foundation by pouring cement or embedding chicken wire to prevent them from trying to escape. Another strategy is designating certain boundaries within your garden that your canine companion shouldn’t breach. When they approach these marked lines, gently deter them using a hose, or a squirt gun. You try seeking advice from your local veterinarian or a certified pet behaviorist on the potential use of e-collar conditioning.
Curiosity
Just like their pet parents, dogs possess an innate sense of wonder about the world around them. Their environment is a treasure trove waiting to be explored, and they’ll happily spend hours investigating every nook and cranny. The soil, laden with myriad scents and mysteries, is irresistible, prompting them to dig and discover the secrets within, or better yet, a prized bone.
Solution: Channel your dog’s curiosity towards something equally intriguing. Give them a Kong chew toy to keep them busy and engage their investigative senses, while rewarding their exploration. To ensure your dog stays both content and nourished, try these delightful Kong stuffing recipes.
Denning
In the grand tapestry of canine behaviors, the yearning for den-making is etched deeply into their genes. While the backyard might be your recreational haven, for them, it’s a potential homestead awaiting a cozy nook.
Solution: Attune to your dog’s tendency to harmoniously bridge their instinctual drives with your domestic ideals. If they manifest a penchant for crafting a calming dog bed in the form of holes in your yard, carve out a corner where they can exercise this instinct without reservations. If your furry friend is partial to the outdoors, perhaps a well-constructed doghouse would grant them the solace of a secondary sanctuary. For indoor-centric pups, try to learn more about transitioning an inside dog to be more comfortable outside.
Shelter
Beyond play and recreation, the act of digging for many dogs can be intimately tied to the intrinsic nature of a dog’s ancestry and sex. If your female dog is in the throes of a heat cycle or anticipating a litter, the soil beneath might beckon her to prepare a birthing abode.
Solution: Try to understand the need for comfort behind your pet’s behavior. If they are strategically selecting shaded spots shielded from the sun’s intensity, perhaps replicating a similar serene space indoors might appease them. Are they oscillating between sunbathing spots and cool refuges? Endeavor to offer them comfort in secure areas, or try building a simple DIY dog box to spell relaxation.
Attention Seeking
Have you noticed that scolding your pup for digging holes intensifies their efforts? For some dogs, any form of attention, be it positive or negative, is perceived as a reward. Ignoring their naughty antics might seem like the answer, but left unchecked, they might only double down.
Solution: It’s crucial to discern the underlying cause that drives your dog to dig. If they’re merely bored, redirect their attention. Engage in more lively play sessions, ensuring they’re sufficiently tired to deter any mischievous undertakings during your favorite Netflix binge. You can also learn how to encourage good behavior by going on a deep dive into dog training.
Mimicking
Canine companions are natural performers who possess an uncanny ability to emulate the actions they observe around them. Whether it’s the antics of other pets or animals or the activities of their owners, they might feel a heightened desire to recreate it.
Solution: Always be conscious of how you might be inadvertently role-modeling your dog and try to identify their visual triggers. If you let them watch your garden and then suddenly your dog is digging the next day, it’s very easy to connect the dots. Similarly, if the local dog park or the neighbor’s yard looks like a cratered moonscape, this may be one of the reasons your dog may dig. To encourage better behavior, try challenging them with brain training games or teach them funny dog tricks.
How to Stop
No one solution fits all when it comes to stopping dogs from digging, but the numerous ways to discourage this type of bad behavior. As an owner and loved one, you must decide which course of action is best suited to your dog’s personality and ability to accept change.
Steady Exercise
A happy dog, both mentally and physically will rarely resort to digging. Reflect on your current walking routines and aim to establish daily engagements, diligently monitoring and recording the outcomes. Additionally, infusing playtime in the backyard reinforces its identity as a recreational space with loved ones, not an excavation site. Incorporate indoor canine games too, ensuring they remain occupied even when not playing in Mother Nature.
Quality Time
Carve out daily moments to drench your canine in affection. Marrying quality bonding time with vigorous activity ensures a weary yet content pooch, less inclined to indulge in backyard renovations.
Positive Reinforcement
A decisive “No,” followed by a swift shift of focus and subsequent ebullient praise, can work wonders. Like any art, nurturing desirable conduct demands dedication and patience. While instant results might elude, consistent guidance paired with rewarding alternatives will, in time, sculpt better behavior patterns.
Keep it Cool
Intensified summertime digging might be sun-induced. If a lack of shade or shelter is missing, enhance their comfort and hydration with ample access to water, cooling mats, or even a quaint wading pool in a shaded corner.
Toy Engagement
Provide cognitive stimulation to engage their grey cells and distract them from their digging endeavors. Initiate play beyond the conventional dog puzzle toys, consider the enthralling snuffle mat. These foraging canvases are stellar for those paws that itch to dig, allowing them to sniff out concealed treats whilst remaining engaged.
Dedicated Work Area
In the face of relentless digging, perhaps the most harmonious solution is allotting a dedicated corner of your yard as their excavation site. Upon witnessing their digging in unauthorized zones, gently reprimand them with a “no,” and lead them to their sanctioned spot, When they dig in their designated area, shower them with accolades. Buying a dog dig box or filling an unused children’s sandbox could also provide an amicable solution. Try also burying a smattering of concealed treats and toys here to channel their attention and incentivize their usage.
Fencing
Certain prized patches, perhaps the front greens or a budding garden, could benefit from protective barriers. Even a diminutive fence can effectively provide dissuasion. For more adventurous escape artists, more formidable dog-digging deterrents like plastic chicken mesh or subterranean flat stones may provide better results.
Bad Smells
An intriguing tactic, vouched for by some pet enthusiasts, involves relocating the dog’s excrement to the favored dig site, burying it slightly. Although this may deter persistent digging, caution is advised for dogs with peculiar dietary preferences. Alternatively, consider using products like dig repellent sprays or water containing cayenne pepper to render the territory less inviting.
Wildlife Removal
Consider hiring a pest inspector to shed light on any subterranean inhabitants like rabbits, rodents, or moles that might be ruffling your pet’s fur underground. Be sure to collaborate with experts advocating for gentle, humane solutions, as harmful chemicals might jeopardize your furry friend and Mother Nature alike.
Stolen Treasures
A simple tactic to teach dogs the futility of burying treasure is to secretly retrieve concealed treats, toys, and bones they’ve buried. Always undertake this operation while they are away, so the bafflement they experience upon discovering their hidden cache missing, they might bury their future impulses instead.
Water Deterrents
Stealthily lie in wait, and upon their entry into the off-limits territory, a timely squirt from a motion-activated sprinkler might deter them. Let them deduce that the garden itself is retaliating, not their beloved owners. If you, however, discover post-digging holes, refrain from retribution. Four-legged companions are tethered to the present moment lacking the capacity to correlate past actions with present admonishments.
Banishment
When all else fails, do not allow them to disappoint. Banish your pet from being in the yard without supervision, or consider e-collar training to ensure there is a strong deterrent for crossing enemy lines.
Health Issues
When a dog buries their favorite toys or your TV remote, their tendency to hide things and pilfered items can other issues related to keeping them healthy and happy. If you do not already have coverage, it might be time to think about asking questions about pet insurance for dogs.
Broken Nails
While soft soil might seem harmless, other elements in your garden like dry or frozen ground, tiny rocks, or lurking tree roots can pose a risk. These can snag your dog’s nails, leading to painful cracks or breaks. Thus, it’s wise to keep those nails well-trimmed as longer nails are more susceptible to damage. While dog grooming at home, be sure you safely stash away toxic nail polish.
Hunting
If your dog is acting upon their prey drive on their digging adventures, they might actually find, mice, moles, or rabbits. These animals aren’t just trophies, but possible carriers of parasites or even rabies. Additionally, what might seem like buried treasures in the form of garbage could be dangerous if consumed. If you also find your dog sampling some dirt while they dig, it might hint at a nutritional imbalance and you not choosing the right dog food for them.
Pest Control
Your dog’s behavior of digging or wanting to bury their food could bring out mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks that often hide out in grass and soil. A digging session can disturb them, enhancing the chances of them finding a new home on your pet, which could then lead to licking problems.
Hidden Chemicals
What appears to be just grass might be ground doused with harmful substances that could affect your dog’s paws or respiratory system. When out on a walk, if your dog decides to exercise their digging skills, be mindful that neighboring lawns might have undergone treatments with pesticides or other chemicals.
Harmful Plants
Beyond the evident destruction of your cherished plants, some might be potentially harmful or toxic to your beloved canine. Be sure you know everything planted in your garden and how harmful it might be should your dog love to smell it, or worse, eat it.
FAQ
Below you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about why dogs dig holes that can provide more guidance as you endeavor to rid your canine of this bad habit.
Natural canine instinct, boredom, and joys of hiding things or cooling off could be among the top reasons your dog digs holes. Denning, sheltering, and escaping as also inborn DNA traits of many hunting breeds while herding breeds may do it for social interaction or attention.
The easiest answer is to simply give them something better to do, or limit their opportunity to. Dogs generally won’t bury items and other objects they deem valuable when they think someone is watching. A general rule, is if you engage their mind, tire them out, or bestow the attention they crave, it will give your dog many reasons not to dig.
Adding pointy plants, large rocks, and bad smells like after-market soil spaying with cayenne pepper can provide deterrents. Barricading garden areas with chicken wire can provide protection and give your dog pause to think. Using a hose or sprinkler can also provide further guidance.
Yes, absolutely! Fill in your lunar landscapes to ensure the soil matches its surroundings, thereby dissuading a revisit to the scene of the ‘crime’.
Yes, but it will take time, patience, and many other ways to distract your dog from doing what they love. In this article, we cover the top reasons why they dig, and discuss numerous solutions that can help you train your dog to stop digging holes.
Yes, their spatial memory functions as a navigational compass that directs them to the precise burial site, while their associative memory unravels the emotional tapestry they wove during the burial act. Essentially, the former aids in categorizing places as “desirable” or “unpleasant,” while the latter stitches together experiences, gauging them as favorable, neutral, or distasteful. Tracking breeds that have an unparalleled sense of smell may be able to seek them out via olfactory senses.
Not all, but the impulse reverberates profoundly with hound-hunting breeds, terriers and miniature schnauzers. Dachshunds, beagles, and basset hounds can also display a pronounced inclination for burring bones. If a dog’s ancestral lineage was sculpted to track and pursue petite prey, they too might have a knack for digging and searching for hidden items.
It’s an instinctual act that is deeply rooted in their DNA. Noses play a pivotal role in the burial rites, allowing them to suss out smells of predators and other trespassers who might steal their buried treasure. Dog snouts also make decent miniature bulldozers too.
Whether for comfort, shelter or just to hide food or objects, the reasons behind your pet’s behavior will dictate the severity of the problem. For exceptionally passionate diggers who persevere till their paws exhibit signs of wear can be detrimental. If your dog secretively stashes perishable goods, they can may also encounter the wrath of soil chemicals wreaking havoc on their digestive systems.
In these matters, it’s always best to enlist the wisdom of your veterinarian and provide photos and videos of the areas they like to dig. Unusual or excessive digging may be symptomatic of underlying anxieties or behavioral quirks. While rocky patches of dirt, sharp objects in the ground, and areas treated in chemicals can pose numerous dangers when digging.