How To Stop Dogs Digging
May 30, 2009 by admin
Filed under Behavioural Issues
Have you ever looked out at your yard and despaired at seeing all of the holes your dog has dug? Have you been mowing and cracked your ankle in one of those holes? Or, worse yet, does your dog try to dig his way under your fence? If you have a dog who digs like a gopher then you know what a problem this can be. But don’t give up or bury your dog in one of his holes! There are some good solutions to stop dogs digging.
If your dog likes to dig random holes in your yard you can fill those holes in with gravel or rocks. Most dogs don’t like to dig gravel and rocks since it hurts their paws. You can cover these spots over with topsoil or sod to make them look more attractive. This will stop your dog from digging in some of his favorite spots.
If your dog likes to dig at the base of bushes or trees you can fill them in with dirt and cover the ground around the base of the bushes and trees with chicken wire. It’s hard to see from a distance, so it’s not too much of an eyesore, but it will stop your dog from digging in these places since dogs don’t like the feel of it on their paws. You can spread mulch on top of the chicken wire to hide it. Your dog probably won’t bother it much with the chicken wire beneath it.
If your dog is prone to trying to dig under your fences you can also use the chicken wire at the base of the fence. Bury it along your fence line after securing it in place. Again, it doesn’t hurt a dog at all, but most dogs don’t like the feel of it on their paws when they try to dig since it’s a thin wire.
If your dog is a more determined escape artist you will have to take other measures, such as having concrete poured along the base of your fence or having the fence itself buried lower into the ground. But these are extreme measures. Most dogs dig along a fence line for fun — they find a soft spot in the ground along the fence and can’t resist the urge to dig there. It almost comes as a surprise when they find themselves on the other side of the fence. At least the first time. It may become a bad habit after the first time or two.
If you have a terrier breed or a Dachshund or other dog that was used in the past for hunting animals that “went to ground,” i.e., animals that burrowed under ground, then you may have more than your share of problems when it comes to digging. These dogs have been bred to dig in order to find their prey. It’s a natural instinct for them. In fact, when they dig in your yard they may be smelling a mole or some other creature under the ground. It’s hard to blame them for something that they have been bred to do for centuries.
If you have a dog that loves to dig you can make him happy (and save your yard) by providing him with his own special digging area. All you need to do is set up a large sandbox-type area in your yard, set off by landscape timbers or two-by-fours. Fill it with sand. Sand is better than topsoil because it won’t hold water or get muddy when it rains. This is your dog’s private digging area. It’s okay for him to dig here all he wants, as deeply as he wants. You can get him started by half-burying a few or his favorite toys in the sand, leaving parts out for him to see. This digging box should make your digging dog very happy.
These tips should help stop your dog from digging where you don’t want him to dig. Remember that digging is a natural behavior for all dogs. Try to discourage it where it can cause problems and encourage it where it will make you and your dog happy. Once your dog knows where it’s all right for him to dig that should be the end of those holes in your yard!
