How To Stop Your Dog from Digging up Your Backyard

Your dog may be digging because he is too hot or too cold. When your dog digs a hole and lies in it, his temperature can be self-regulated. Unlike humans, dogs can't remove their clothing or add layers, so they have to come up with other ways to get relief from the weather conditions.
Dogs also dig because they are bored. A dog that is apart from his master all day can easily become bored. Dogs will find ways to amuse themselves if they are left alone. Unfortunately, this may be digging!
To stop dogs from digging, their behavior needs to be redirected towards other activities. Usually all you will need to so is provide your dog with a digging patch where he will not be punished. Some dog breeds have an instinctive tendency to dig. These breeds will require extra patience from you in order to stop their digging behavior.
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The following tips should help to stop dogs from digging up your yard:
- Put an unpleasant "present" in the hole dug by your dog. Often dogs dig for a while, then leave the hole for a period of time, and return later to continue their digging activity. Place the surprise in the hole while your dog is away. One idea is a water spray mixed with bitter apple, which may be purchased from pet stores.
- Placing garden waste in the holes is one way to stop your dog from digging. Dogs prefer to dig in "clean" dirt. Add dead leaves, sticks, rocks, and mulch to the hole and cover it with a thin layer of soil. It is probable that your dog will stop digging when he discovers the undesirable materials in his hole. If this doesn't work, fill the hole, spraying the contents with bitter apple. Most dogs dislike the odor and will stop digging in that particular hole.
- Your dog should be provided with a designated area where he can dig
to his heart's delight. Digging is instinctive for dogs. It may take
some time to train your dog to restrict his digging to that spot but it
can be done. Stop dogs from digging in your flower garden by giving
them an area where they are free to dig a few holes.
This could be a sandbox or you could cordon off an area that is not landscaped. In order to teach your dog that he can dig in a particular spot, you should bury some treats where he can easily find them. If your dog has previously been chastized for his digging activities, he may require extra encouragement. As soon as he understands that digging in that area is permitted, he will be an overjoyed dog.
- When your dog has been provided with his own designated spot for
digging, you will still need to keep things interesting for him. Every
so often, you should bury a toy or treat for him to find. As dogs get
bored with digging in the same area, he may decide that another part of
your backyard looks more interesting.
Periodically, the dirt or sand in your dog's designated digging spot should be replaced. Dogs like fresh soil better than hard earth. Also, there will be occasions when your dog finds your flower beds more appealing than his designated digging spot. Spread animal essence, which hunters use to draw out animals, over your flower beds. Dogs may stop digging when they smell other animals.
This will stop your dog from digging anywhere other than his own digging patch. Dogs are not being mean when they dig under your fence as this is instinctive behavior for them.
To stop your dog's annoying digging behavior, make sure you check out: Stop Dogs from Digging
