Digging
With their terrier heritage, it's understandable that some Yorkies feel a distinct need to dig. Your pup's excavations will likely conflict with the landscaping plan you've mapped out. But this drive to dig need not be a source of conflict between you and your Yorkie. Read on to understand why your little dog digs and what you can do about it.
Reasons for Digging
Dogs dig for a variety of reasons. The terriers may do it out of instinct, or the movement of prey animals underground may actually trigger the act. Other dogs as well as terriers may dig to reach cool dirt to lie in, especially during hot summer weather. Bored dogs, such as those left alone in the yard all day, may dig out of boredom or to escape and find something to do. In order to find the right solution, you have to identify your dog's reason for digging.
Dealing with Digging
If your dog is digging out of boredom, the solution should be obvious — to make life more entertaining for your dog! First, bring her inside. A Yorkshire terrier should not be stuck outdoors all day with no one around. These dogs are small enough to be seen as prey by hawks, coyotes, and raccoons. They are also observant and reactive enough to develop into a barking nuisance. If your Yorkie is stuck outdoors because you have housetraining or destruction issues, then work to resolve those issues rather than taking the “easy” route.
Why shouldn't you just stop your Yorkie from digging? He gets so dirty!
With dogs, compromise is a far better plan that stopping innate behaviors. In trying to stop one behavior, you may find yourself with others you like even less. Digging is part of the Yorkshire terrier's nature. If you fill a pit with loose sand for him to dig, you'll find that most of the sand falls off your Yorkie. You need to brush him daily anyway.
Second, exercise your dog more. Get up earlier and take a longer walk. Hire someone to come in at midday to play with your pup if you're not home. Have a training-and-play session when you get home from work. Well-exercised dogs are less trouble in general.
Third, give your Yorkie some home-alone activities. Buy a Buster Cube and put part of your dog's daily kibble in it before you leave. The dog has to turn the cube over and over to get a piece of food or two to tumble out. Or just toss some kibble around the house for the dog to hunt down and eat. You can also put a treat in a brown paper bag or a box and tie them closed, and let your Yorkie rip them open to get the treat — though this may encourage him to tear open actual packages in the future.
Of course, your Yorkie will still spend some time in the yard and may still want to dig. Rather than trying to stop the digging, which could result in stress and other unwanted behavior such as constant barking, give your Yorkie a place where digging is allowed. Dig a pit or build up walls. Fill the space with sand and loose dirt. Bury some treats and toys in the pit. To help your dog get the idea, run with him to the digging pit, dig up a toy, and play with him with it. Bury it again and encourage him to dig for it. If you see your Yorkie digging anywhere but the special digging pit, clap your hands to interrupt him and call him over to the digging pit. Keep digging in the designated area a rewarding experience by stocking the pit with treats and toys, and give him lots of time to play there.
