Given the importance of establishing a solid foundation of information before attempting to tackle any subject, it's imperative that we address the age-old mystery of why, exactly, canines dig.
Before writing an article, I always consult several different sources, and they all appear to agree on the most important reason dogs dig. Boredom! The devil finds work for idle paws, as the old saying goes.
Lack of physical activity is also cited as another cause of digging. Dogs will look for ways to expend their excess energy. While some dogs may require more activity than others, it is important to keep your dog active for the most of each day.
A third explanation for why dogs dig is a trait shared by many breeds, particularly rescue dogs who are suddenly thrust into yet another foreign setting. And it's the core cause of many undesirable behaviours: separation anxiety.
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Your dog may resort to extreme measures to ensure that he is never abandoned again if he has previously suffered this trauma.
Therefore, if you leave him alone in the yard, he may conclude that the barrier separating him from you is merely a fence or wall. He can't fly, so instead of trying to get to you that way, he'll just dig his way there.
The idea that "dogs will be dogs" contributed to the fourth explanation, which is the desire to be untethered and explore the world. This dog digs not as an end in itself, but as a means to an end — freedom! Longing for freedom and the broad road, he sets out for it. To hell with your garden if he has to dig through it.
All right, we just conducted some solid investigating. The question now is how to fix things. To begin, please don't believe we've wasted your time by listing all the reasons dogs like to dig. Since we failed to do so. The root cause of the undesirable behaviour will determine the most effective treatment.
We can treat the first two causes simultaneously because the same remedy works to lessen or eliminate digging caused by both of them. If your dog digs because he's bored or has too much energy, you can stop his digging behaviour by providing him with more stimulating activities to do.
You might be wondering, "How?" It's as simple as devoting extra time to your dog. Spending more time with him should include plenty of exercise, which is essential for a dog's health. According to the data from the American Medical Association, there is a good probability that it will help you as well. Create a ritual that will bring you closer together. It's a perfect win-win scenario.
As I've already indicated, many undesirable behaviours in dogs can be traced back to separation anxiety. Among these activities is digging, which is occasionally required.
Read this article: 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Ignores Your Commands
Stop the digging, and maybe the gnawing, barking, panting, and other behaviours associated with separation anxiety as well. Due to the prevalence and severity of separation anxiety in rescue dogs, I've prepared an entire article on the topic: Rescue Dog Training: Curing Separation Anxiety with Crate Training and Desensitization Training.
Just do a search on this site, and you should be able to locate what you need. So, if your dog has a "free spirit" personality and sees obstacles as challenges to be overcome. You'll have more luck if you and I stop your nomad from digging to freedom than if you try to "cure" his impulse to dig. These are several ideas, some more feasible than others:
Don't let just anyone inside the spots where digging could cause the most damage. Shrubs, saplings, and even flower beds can all benefit from being encircled by chicken wire.
Choose more robust plants with deep roots and thorny stems if the garden is your primary priority.
I'm not sure how to put this gently, but here goes with the third approach. Distribute the "dog poop" to the areas where your dog likes to dig. Because of its naturally occurring repellent properties, almost all dogs will avoid it.
Unless your dog only has access to a very tiny potential digging area, this preventative strategy seems excessive. Digging areas should have the sod raised and chicken wire installed one to two inches below the surface. Read also: Treatment
and Prevention of Dog Separation Anxiety
Your dog will learn that digging up his yard is pointless once he does some short-term damage that needs fixing. Please let me know [if you give this a try and find it to be helpful].
You may have to make concessions if you've determined that your dog is a serious enthusiast when it comes to digging. Set aside a specific portion of your yard for digging. Put down a new layer of soil and sand here, and make it as thick and as wide as possible.
The following step is conditioning. Prepare to spend some time supervising your dog once you've put some marrow bones in the digging area. A dog's instinct to dig up buried treasure is to be rewarded with praise and a tasty food once he discovers the scent. Read also: Dog Foods You Should Avoid
Direct him back to the sandbox with a firm "No!" any time he attempts to dig somewhere else. If he decides to return to that area to dig, he deserves further praise. If you dedicate 10 to 30 minutes every day to this for a week or two, you will successfully train your dog to stop digging.
If you want your dog to have a long and happy life, it's up to you to make sure he is well-trained and free of any undesirable habits. Click on the link below to check out the website I found most helpful.
