There ’s no one reasonableness that dogs bang to dig , but there are way to inhibit the behavior .
If your dog is digging — whether it ’s mess all over your yard or an safety valve hatchunder the fencing — it ’s crucial to key out the reasons why your dog is digging before address the demeanour . Some pet parents are simply trying to realise the unknown , sometimes random - seeming savvy behavior . Others are desperately trying to keep open their garden . And still more are hoping to keep their dog from elude under the fence .
While there are many reasons why your cad might be digging , sympathize the basics of why click dig is the first step in pull off the habit . Jennifer White , a behavior rehabilitation specialist from theASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center , offer her advice on how to facilitate keep pets ( and your chiliad ! ) safe .
Why Do Dogs Dig?
dog do n’t get the picture with the intention of destroy your G — they’re follow their canine instinct . " Some barbarian dog relatives , like foxes and Wolf , dig dens to raise their young , " White says . With these canine relatives instinctively resorting to dens for shelter and comfort , it ’s not surprising when we see our domesticated dogs deal some of those behaviors .
" Our pet blackguard partake in the desire to sleep in and under things that resemble a hideout , " aver White . " They often grok at the ground and forget me drug before lie down , as though they ’re adjudicate to make a softer resting place . "
Some dogs simply love to delve and tend to do so when they ’re hear to stay lovesome or nerveless , as digging a hole or den to rest in can protect them from hot or cold weather . But often , dogs dig for entertainment ( it ’s just fun!),to bury things , or even to hound down creature . " Dogs may also dig when they’reanxiousor to escape a yard , " White points out , " so identify the causal agent of your dog ’s excavation is an important first step to handle the demeanor . "
How To Stop a Dog From Digging
Managing and reducing your pup ’s digging wont requires apprehension into why they ’re dig , as the best agency to address the behavior vary establish on the reason . Here are some mutual ways to key what makes your dog dig and how to forestall the behavior .
Digging Holes to Lie In
If your dog digs a hole , circles a few times , and place down in it , she ’s digging for consolation . White signal out that our dogs ' ancestors would dig holes to catch some Z’s in . The same goes for today ’s companion canid — peculiarly if there ’s no shelter with a milder temperature to put up than the melodic phrase outside .
" If you distrust your dog is too tender ortoo cold-blooded , turn over providing aninsulated dog housein cold weather or provide more refinement in raging conditions , " White says . you may plant a tree to create more shade , or simply encourage your dog to spend more time inside when it ’s red-hot or insensate . Inextreme heat , many dogs enjoy standing or ride in a shallow puddle to cool off , too .
Digging in Bed
Digging does n’t terminate when your barker come indoors . Their natural instinct to dig for puff is also why dogs dig on layer and sofa . If a dog looks like she’snestingby drudge to move around blankets and pillows , it ’s potential she ’s just trying to make their resting spot a bite more comfortable . Your pooch could also be trying to change the temperature of their seam , so acooling mator aheated bedmay help curb the behavior .
Digging for Fun
A pup that simply seems to enjoy hollow , and at random labour deep fix at all times of the day , whether you ’re home or not , is most likely just digging for fun . Some frump just enjoy a " full dig , " and often do n’t differentiate between turn over in a bare soil area or the vegetable garden you ’ve knead so hard on .
If you have areas of the yard you ’d wish to protect , White suggest putting up a low fence to keep him out , and oversee him when he has entree to the area . " This will allow you to interrupt the behavior in good order aside , and redirect him to a more appropriate spot , if one survive , " she notes . " Reward your dog with kudos and a treat or two when heperforms a desired behaviorsuch as labor in an appropriate place or simply leaving yourflower bedsalone . "
With dogs who clearly enjoy dig as a hobby , it might be best to give them a show blot to dig and bury things in . White suggests building a labor pit . inhume some treats and treasure for your hound to discover on his own in the designated topographic point to make excavation in the correct expanse sport and reinforcing .
Digging While Alone
Some dogs only turn over when leave alone for prospicient periods of time , which may betoken that they ’re blase . They might also skin or chew while you ’re go . White recommends drum those boredom blues by giving your wiener some more stimulating things to do . " play fetchor tug and conk out for longer sniffy walks can not only allow for physical stimulation , but more importantly , offer calibre time with you , " she observe .
Giving your pup plenty of chew miniature andfood - dispensing toysto keep them busy will help take their head off your absence seizure and help engage the head of your canine dear protagonist . " better up long days by hiring a dog walker or taking your dog todoggy daycareonce or twice a workweek , if he enjoy the caller of other canines , " White evoke .
Digging To Hunt
If your domestic dog isbarking and whining , and inexplicably focused on the ground , they are likely fixate on a rodent trail . Houndsare peculiarly love for this behavior and are inclined to prod when hunting . The best way to accost this is with supervising , White explains . " Interrupt fixated hunting conduct before your dog jump to dig and distract her with bid , if potential . "
you’re able to also move indoors , and redirect your pawl ’s attention to represent or stimulate their nozzle with afood dispensing toy dog . It would also be utile to encounter ways to discourage the ground critter from occur into your yard and eliminating your dog ’s desire to chase after them down and labor them up .
Digging Under Fences
Some dogs have a exquisite sense of adventure and will seek to dig under a fencing to escape a one thousand , possibly due to boredom . The best way to curb this type of digging is withplenty of usage . The finish with increase activity is to fatigue your dog out a morsel more , so games like fetch and tug can aid burn off supererogatory energy , as well as going for a run or long take the air together .
White also recommends a picayune DIY ingeniousness to aid keep your dog enclosed . " Reinforce the ground near your fence by pelt cementum or bury chicken wire to admonish digging , " White says . And since male dogs who are notneuteredwill often seek out neighborhood femaledogs in estrus , she advises pet parents to consider neuter to abridge the likelihood of swan .
Anxious Digging
If your dog present behavior like yawp , pacing , and puff before you leave the house , he or she might be dig to break away because of anxiousness . Anxious diggers often chew and bark at entrances and exits . If your whelp is designate sign of the zodiac of severeseparation anxiousness , White strongly recommends consulting with a certified professional to get the best way to relieve your pup ’s anxiety .
" A Certified Pet Dog Trainer ( CPDT ) or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist ( CAAB or Associate CAAB ) and your veterinarian [ can provide ] guidance in help your dog find more relaxed when left alone , " White suggest .
Should You Scold a Dog for Digging?
No matter the character of digging your dog is engaged in , there are plenty of mode to serve address it — and it ’s always a keen idea to try help from your veterinarian or a indorse behaviorist who can serve you understand yourdog ’s behaviour .
Most significantly , it ’s crucial that you avoid lecture or punishing a dog for digging and reward positively charged behaviors alternatively . Since dig often happens hours before you find the leave grounds , it ’s unmanageable for your dog to understand why he ’s being punished . Scolding and punishing a dog after the fact is unlikely to curb the behaviour and will instead frighten off or upset your pup . Instead , attempt to understand what ’s causing your dog to grasp , and set your pup ’s environment to keep them from all of that unneeded excavating .
