Picture this: you step outside to admire your beautiful garden, only to find your yard looking like a construction zone. Holes everywhere, dirt scattered across the lawn, and your beloved flower bed resembling a moonscape. If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone in the battle against your canine excavator.
The truth is, digging isn’t your dog acting out of spite or trying to ruin your weekend plans. It’s important to know your dog isn’t doing it out of spite or a desire to destroy your landscaping; more likely they’re seeking entertainment, attention, comfort, escape, prey or protection. Understanding why your furry friend transforms into a four-legged backhoe is the first step toward reclaiming your yard without dampening their natural instincts.
They’re Following Their Natural Hunting Instincts
Your dog’s nose is incredibly powerful, and they can detect underground critters that you might never notice. Yards infested with rodents may have dogs digging intensively to find moles or mice. When dogs catch a whiff of underground movement, their predatory instincts kick into high gear.
This hunting behavior often shows up as digging along specific tracks or in concentrated areas rather than random holes throughout the yard. Digging related to hunting behavior often occurs along rodent tracks/mole holes. Your pup genuinely believes there’s treasure waiting beneath the surface, and honestly, they might be right.
Solution: Remove the Underground Temptation
The most effective approach here is addressing the root cause by eliminating the prey from your property. “If you have a problem with vermin in your yard, consider having an exterminator come out to take care of the problem,” Dr. Karwacki advises. However, be cautious about the methods you choose.
Pet-safe mole repellers that use sound waves work wonderfully without introducing harmful chemicals to your yard. There are affordable and pet-safe mole repellers available that do not contain pesticides; they use sound to deter these critters. Once you remove their motivation, most dogs lose interest in digging for prey entirely.
Boredom is Driving the Excavation Project
Dogs left alone with nothing stimulating to do often resort to creating their own entertainment. Dogs left alone outside for long periods of time in an uninteresting environment without social interaction, mental stimulation or exercise may resort to digging. Think of it as their way of saying they need more engagement in their daily routine.
A bored dog views your yard as an endless playground of possibilities, and digging provides both mental stimulation and physical activity. Digging is a great way for dogs to not only stimulate their minds but also work off pent-up energy. Overall, digging holes is a great way for your pup to exercise both their body and brain.
Solution: Increase Mental and Physical Stimulation
Combat boredom with a combination of physical exercise and brain games. Walk your dog at least twice daily. Lack of exercise is a leading cause of behavioral problems. Those daily walks aren’t just good for their health; they’re essential for preventing destructive behaviors.
Interactive toys work wonders when you can’t be around to supervise. Keep interesting toys in the yard to keep your dog busy when you’re not around. Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box dog toys work especially well. Rotate the toys to keep things interesting. Regular training sessions also provide the mental workout many dogs desperately need.
They’re Trying to Create a Cool Resting Spot
When the temperature rises, dogs instinctively seek relief by digging into the cooler earth below the surface. Dogs may dig a shallow bed in the cool earth to help beat the heat on a warm summer’s day. This behavior makes perfect sense from their perspective, especially for thick-coated breeds.
Thick-coated Northern breeds like the Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky may be especially prone to this. Your dog simply wants a comfortable spot to rest, and the ground several inches down stays significantly cooler than the surface.
Solution: Provide Better Cooling Options
Prevention here means giving your dog better alternatives for staying cool. If your dog is always digging in the yard, provide them with plenty of water and shade to keep them cool. Consider hanging a sunshade, installing a doghouse, or getting an elevated dog cot with a cover.
A kiddie pool can be a game-changer for dogs who love to cool off, and elevated beds allow air circulation underneath. If your dog spends a considerable amount of time outside, be sure there is plenty of shade and fresh water available. He may still dig so you may want to limit your dog’s time outside on hot days.
Escape Artist Behavior Under the Fence
Some dogs dig strategically along fence lines in attempts to explore the great beyond. They might be trying to escape the yard to find more exciting locations or even search for a mate. This behavior often intensifies during certain seasons, especially for intact dogs.
Not all escape attempts are driven by wanderlust though. Some dogs will try to escape because they are anxious in the yard or scared to be alone. Understanding your dog’s motivation is crucial for choosing the right solution.
Solution: Fortify Your Perimeter and Address Root Causes
Physical barriers work well for determined escape artists. 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. These create uncomfortable digging conditions without harming your pet.
For anxiety-driven digging, the solution goes deeper than just physical barriers. Talk to your veterinarian about medication and behavioral treatments to help with your dog’s anxiety. Do not leave your dog unattended in the yard until the anxiety has improved. Working with a professional behaviorist can provide tailored strategies for your specific situation.
Burying and Hiding Their Treasures
Dogs have inherited a strong instinct to cache valuable items for later use. Just as dogs dig to look for food, they will dig to bury things, too. This caching behavior is a throwback to that wolf heritage. Your dog genuinely believes they’re being smart by saving their favorite bone or toy for a rainy day.
The problem arises when your pup forgets exactly where they buried their treasure. So, if your dog likes to bury items in the yard, it’s entirely possible they will forget exactly where they’ve hidden these cherished items, which, as you may have guessed, means they may need to dig several extra holes just to locate the spot of their buried treasure.
Solution: Manage Their Valuable Items
Indoor treasure management can significantly reduce outdoor excavations. DO give the dog treats/toys inside the house only, and perhaps only give treats/toys when they are away from other dogs. Provide them with outdoor-only toys. This approach separates their high-value items from their digging instincts.
If your dog insists on burying things, create a designated area where this behavior is acceptable. Set up a sandbox or specific corner of the yard where they can bury and retrieve items without damaging your landscaping. Guide them to this area consistently when you catch them trying to bury treasures elsewhere.
Pure Entertainment and Fun
One of the most common answers to the question of why dogs dig holes is that it’s just plain fun. For many dogs, digging provides excellent entertainment value, combining physical activity with the satisfaction of accomplishing something tangible.
For some dogs, digging is a behavior that makes them happy. This usually results in random holes all over the yard with no specific distribution near fences/shade/mole holes. These recreational diggers often work on their projects even when their humans are home, clearly enjoying the process itself.
Solution: Create a Legal Digging Zone
Instead of fighting this natural behavior, give your dog an appropriate outlet for their digging desires. Many dogs that dig do so because it is just plain ol’ fun for dogs to dig. So give your dog a place to dig! Create a sandbox, a place where he is allowed to dig so he can release the need for this instinct.
Make this designated area irresistible by burying toys and treats regularly. Bury treasures: Hide toys or chews for your dog to uncover. “Direct them to the digging area to show them what’s there, and reward them when they dig in that place,” Sharkey says. If they go back to old digging spots, gently guide them to the pit and reward them again. This positive approach redirects their energy rather than suppressing it.
Anxiety and Stress Relief Through Digging
Some dogs turn to digging as a coping mechanism when they feel overwhelmed or anxious. It can also be used as anxiety relief because the dog is keeping busy. The repetitive nature of digging can be soothing for stressed dogs, similar to how some people find comfort in repetitive activities.
Dogs may be more likely to dig if they are bored, frustrated, lonely, anxious, or full of pent-up energy. Separation anxiety, in particular, can trigger intense digging episodes as dogs try to cope with being alone.
Solution: Address the Underlying Anxiety
Anxiety-driven digging requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simple deterrents. Start crate training or gradual desensitization to help your dog get used to being alone. Consult with a professional for more tailored anxiety remedies if necessary. Curing separation anxiety requires patience and consistency but can significantly improve your dog’s well-being and prevent destructive behaviors.
Consider tools like ThunderShirts or calming supplements, but always work with your veterinarian to develop a comprehensive anxiety management plan. Remember that punishing anxious digging typically makes the problem worse, not better.
Breed-Specific Digging Instincts
Certain breeds were literally developed for digging, and fighting these genetic tendencies can feel like swimming upstream. They’re a terrier or other breed that was bred to dig. They’re an active breed who needs a job to be happy. Terriers, in particular, were bred to pursue vermin underground.
There are the terrier groups that love to dig, simply because they were bred to go after mice, moles, etc. underground and can dig holes These breeds often show exceptional persistence and skill in their excavation projects because it’s literally what they were designed to do.
Solution: Channel Their Talents Constructively
Rather than fighting nature, work with your dog’s genetic programming. Dog sports are another way to channel your dog’s instincts into something constructive. If you have a Dachshund or terrier, AKC Earthdog might be the perfect fit. Your dog will search underground tunnels for caged rats kept safe behind a barrier.
Scent work competitions provide another excellent outlet for breeds with strong hunting instincts. AKC Scent Work is another fun option where all dogs, purebred and mixed breed, are eligible to participate and search for a hidden target odor. These activities satisfy their natural drives while strengthening your bond together.
Copying Your Gardening Behavior
Dogs are excellent observers, and they often want to participate in activities they see their humans enjoying. They’ve recently seen you gardening or working in the yard. From your dog’s perspective, if digging in the dirt makes you happy, it should make them happy too.
This imitative behavior shows your dog’s desire to bond with you and participate in your activities. They genuinely think they’re helping with your gardening projects, even though their technique might leave something to be desired.
Solution: Give Them Their Own Gardening Project
Include your dog in yard work by giving them appropriate tasks and their own designated area to “help.” Set up a special section where they can dig while you garden nearby. This satisfies their desire to participate without destroying your actual landscaping.
Supervised yard time works better than leaving them to their own devices. Dogs are more likely to dig when left alone outside. Rather than letting them play freely, start monitoring yard time. “Avoid letting your dog into spaces where they like to dig for prolonged periods on their own,” Wilkinson says. Active supervision allows you to redirect unwanted digging before it becomes a habit.
Conclusion
Understanding your dog’s digging motivation is the key to finding effective solutions that work for both of you. Remember, “Digging isn’t a ‘bad’ behavior; it’s your dog showing an emotional or physical need,” explains Caroline Wilkinson, a certified animal behaviorist and founder of Barket Place. The goal isn’t to eliminate this natural behavior entirely but to redirect it appropriately.
With patience, consistency, and the right approach for your specific situation, you can transform your yard from a construction site back into the beautiful space you envisioned. Your dog’s digging instincts don’t have to be the enemy of your landscaping dreams.
What’s your experience been with your furry excavator? Have you tried any of these solutions, and which ones worked best for your situation?
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
