Why Do Dogs Dig?
Most of the terrier breeds were bred to dig out vermin, mice, rats, and moles. For them, digging is instinctive. Generally, however, dogs dig for a variety of reasons, including boredom, frustration, lack of exercise, and a real need to stay cool on a hot day. Looking at some of the reasons for digging might help you get to the bottom of your dog's problem.
Bored or Breed?
Digging is a natural behavior among dogs, and most breeds will dig given half the chance. Digging is a wonderful stress reliever, a great way to find a cool spot on a hot day, and for many breeds it is simply in their genetic makeup. Many of the terriers, bred to hunt up vermin, will dig for voles or other creatures, making the backyard look like a minefield. Huskies, German shepherds, golden retrievers, beagles, and other breeds dig for the fun of it.
Being able to determine the motive for your dog's digging may give you some insight into what you can do to redirect him to a less damaging hobby. A dog that is bored can be distracted by more exercise and something to chew on. A dog that has an innate desire to dig can be given a sandbox or other type of digging pit to satisfy his need to dig. Dogs with other motives might need sheer supervision so that inappropriate digging can be redirected elsewhere or discouraged outright.
If boredom is the reason for digging, you can buy many different kinds of toys to help. But remember, too much time alone is not good for a dog and will lead to behavior problems no matter how much stimulation and how many toys you provide. There is nothing quite like your undivided attention!
Mental and physical exercise are both good ways to combat unwanted digging. Anything you add to your dog's day will make him less likely to turn to digging to release his excess energy. Make sure your dog has been properly exercised and has tasks or toys to occupy him.
Bored dogs cause destruction. A dog with nothing to do will bark, howl, chew, destroy, and dig. Digging is a great stress reliever, and digging up whatever treasures a dog can find is well worth the effort.
If you think that boredom may be your dog's motive for digging, take steps to improve his environment now. Provide lots of safe, interesting toys, and rotate them regularly. Take your dog for a romp in the woods, play with other dogs at the park, or teach him tricks. Invite a friend's dog to spend the afternoon playing and wrestling with your dog. Mental exercise also gives him something rewarding to do besides digging. Try the following workouts:
Stuff Kong toys with dog food and peanut butter and let your dog figure out how to get the food out. Freeze the toy to make this an even cooler challenge on a hot day.
Buy interesting toys for your dog and rotate them weekly so that your dog always has something new to play with.
Put treats in all different places in the yard for your dog to find.
Put your dog's meals in a treat-dispensing toy and let him work for his dinner.
Put peanut butter or cream cheese on the inside of the shaft of an uncooked marrow bone. Your dog will have a blast licking it out.
Make some agility equipment — tunnels, ramps, and jumps — and teach your dog to negotiate them with and without your help.
Remember that dogs need a variety of play, training, and exercise to be happy, healthy, and content family pets. When any behavior is extreme, like digging or barking, it usually is an advertisement for needing more of something. In most cases, it's that the dog is bored and frustrated because he does not get enough exercise or one-on-one time with his owner.
Playtime with other dogs is a great stress buster and an essential part of the day for the average active dog. Invite a dog friend over on a regular basis to help you tire out your active dog, or consider enrolling your pooch in a well-run doggie day care.
Frustration
If your dog is unsupervised in a fenced yard or dog pen, he may start to dig out of frustration. Your dog can see and hear people passing by, but he can't get to where the action is. A dog that is frustrated by being confined for too long will often try to dig his way to freedom. Don't leave your dog unattended for long periods of time, and stimulate his environment by hiding toys packed with his dinner and treats or hiding bones and things to chew in the area where he is confined. Go out and play with him and distract him from digging if he does it while you are present.
If your dog tries to dig out of the yard, you may want to bury ¼-inch mesh wire along the fence line to make it impossible to dig past a certain depth. Most dogs get discouraged and find other pursuits once they hit something that won't let them dig any deeper. The best way to alleviate frustration is to spend more time with your dog and provide him with more things to think about.
If you have a digger, it is vital to check the perimeter of your fence periodically for holes through which your dog can escape. Block holes near the perimeter of the fence is with ¼-inch mesh wire buried in the hole and covered with crushed stone or a ¾-inch layer of rocks and soil.
Exercise
If there is one thing that can save you time in the long run, it's providing your dog with enough exercise. The more opportunities your dog gets to run, chase, swim, wrestle, roll, and romp, the less energy he will have to dig holes. If you own an active dog — and most diggers are very active — he will need at least one to three hours of exercise daily. Whether you take him for long runs in the woods, allow him off-leash time to play with other dogs, or enroll him in a doggie day care program, he needs his exercise. Make sure you're doing what you can to meet his basic needs before you complain about the digging.
