Dachshunds were made for digging. This is what they do, and they do it very very well. A tiny puppy can disappear from sight below the ground within minutes if she sets her mind to it. Dachshunds enjoy digging for many reasons: to bury yummy bones for later, to dig up your newly planted bulbs, to make a nice cool muddy place to lie down in when it's hot, to escape under the fence to see what's on the other side, to excavate for underground varmints, or to tunnel just for the sheer fun of digging.

Supervise

To prevent your back yard from becoming an ankle-wrenching, pot-holed wasteland, take preventive action. First, don't leave your dachshund in the backyard alone and unsupervised. You should be outside too. If you catch her digging, say “Ah!” to catch the dog's attention, and then go over and give a command that you can reward. Then, remove the dog from the hole and involve her in some interaction, such as a game of catch or maybe a walk.

Digging is a natural instinct in dachshunds. Be sure to designate an area of your yard where your dog won't be at risk of damaging landscaping or flower beds.

Provide a Digging Pit

Finally, consider making a digging pit for your dachshund puppy. Construct a four-foot by four-foot area filled with sand or soft dirt, and bury some delectable bones or chews for her to find. Praise and reward your puppy for unearthing these wonderful treasures, and then bury them again. Supervise your dachshund to make sure she doesn't dig in other areas of your yard, or put up a fence or other barrier to keep her out.