How to Stop a Dog Digging: Reasons and Solutions

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Digging is natural, satisfying and self-rewarding. You are unlikely to eliminate it completely in dogs who love it, but you can direct it.

Why dogs dig

• Instinct: terriers were bred to dig out prey.
• Boredom: nothing else to do.
• Cooling: dogs dig to lie in cool soil.
• Hunting: they smell bugs or rodents.
• Escaping: digging under fences. See how to stop a dog escaping the yard.
• Anxiety: stress can lead to frantic digging.
• Comfort: making a nest.

Step 1: Observe

Notice when and where your dog digs. Is it near a fence, in shade or when you are away? The pattern shows the reason.

Step 2: Meet needs

Increase exercise, play and mental stimulation. Provide shade, water and a cool resting spot. Use puzzle feeders and chews. See how to teach a dog to find it.

Step 3: Create a digging zone

Choose a spot, such as a sandpit or a bed of loose soil. Bury toys and treats, and encourage your dog to dig. Praise and reward digging there. If your dog digs elsewhere, calmly lead them to the zone.

Step 4: Protect other areas

Use barriers such as chicken wire laid under mulch, large stones or garden edging. Block favorite spots. Supervise when your dog is outside.

Step 5: Address escapes

If your dog digs near the fence, secure the base with buried wire or concrete. Check for gaps. Supervise until your dog is reliable.

Step 6: Manage temperature

On hot days, give shade, water and a paddling pool. Bring your dog inside when it is too hot. See dog heatstroke.

Common mistakes

• Punishing after the event. It does not teach.
• Leaving the dog outside for long periods. Dogs get bored.
• Using harmful deterrents. Avoid anything toxic.
• Ignoring anxiety. Seek help if digging is frantic.

Troubleshooting

• Your dog ignores the dig zone. Bury better items.
• Your dog digs at night. Bring your dog inside.
• Your dog digs near the door. Consider separation distress. See how to train a dog to be alone.
• Your dog digs up plants. Fence them off.

Understanding your dog's style

Some dogs dig quick, shallow scrapes to cool off, while others excavate deep holes in search of prey. Look at the shape and place of the holes. Scrapes under shade suggest cooling. Holes along the fence suggest escaping. Holes near trees or buried scents suggest hunting.

Adjust the solution accordingly. Cooling diggers need shade, water and a paddling pool. Hunters may need pest control and exercise. Escape artists need a secure boundary and company. Bored diggers need more to do, including scent games and chews. A sandpit with buried toys can satisfy the urge to excavate and protect the rest of the garden.

Whatever the cause, avoid leaving your dog outside alone for long periods, and bring them in when the weather is hot or cold.

When digging is a warning sign

Frantic digging at doors, windows or fences, especially when you are away or during storms, can signal fear or separation distress. Digging until paws bleed, or digging combined with panting and drooling, needs veterinary and behavioral help. Do not punish, since the dog is already stressed.

Also consider medical reasons. Dogs with skin irritation, pain or heat intolerance may dig to find comfort. If digging begins suddenly in an older dog, talk to your vet. A short check-up can rule out causes you cannot see.

The takeaway

Digging is natural. Provide an outlet, meet your dog's needs and secure fences to protect your garden.