Everything your dog does is adorable, right? Um… probably not. Just like any being, they certainly can have their good days and their bad. And they can have good habits and be so polite and then suddenly develop a bad habit for seemingly no reason. You might have a pup who was a digger from the time they were little or maybe you have an adult dog who just started. Either way, what is up with dogs and digging?
First, we’ll take a look at why dogs dig, and then we’ll look at ways you can deal with the digging.
Why dogs dig
Instinct
Digging is just as much a part of normal dog behavior as is wagging their tail and barking. It’s just that a lot of dogs are not problem diggers. But if you pay attention, you’ll see your dog “digging” in all kinds of ways, including in preparation to lie down.
Hunting
This is more true for some of the smaller breeds who were bred specifically to hunt rodents. They are often some of the more problematic diggers.
Boredom
This is a big reason why dogs dig. They are bored and are not getting enough physical and/or mental stimulation. They dig to deal with that. Because it’s fun to dig.
Storing/Hiding
Yep. Dogs actually have an instinct to dig holes in order to store or hide items of value. You know the cartoon – a dog digging to hide his bone. It’s reality.
Cooling
If you have a large dog or a dog that is a nordic breed, they often will dig to create a small dirt cave to lie in. They can regulate their temperature this way. They’re telling you that they are suffering from the heat.
What you can do about dogs and digging
A reminder: dogs don’t respond well to punishment so trying to punish them out of digging will not usually work. When you use punishment, you’re just focusing on the unwanted behavior. What you need to focus on is the cause of that behavior. Once you do that, solutions can become pretty obvious.
Entertain
If your dog is in a yard that is pretty empty of engagement, they’ll dig. Create things for them to do so they don’t have to default to digging. You can take a look at what we’ve written about DIY pet entertainment and toys.
Attention
Again, a lot of the reasons that dogs are digging can be dealt with by giving them more attention. Play with them. Go for more walks. Don’t just let them out in the yard by themselves for hours on end and then be surprised by bad behavior.
Summer cooling
Instead of them digging to cool themselves, you could help them by providing a kiddie pool with clean and cool water. There are also toys to help with cooling that you can check out here.
Create a digging spot
If your dog is committed to digging (and some really are), train them to use a specific digging spot. The clearest way to delineate a spot like this is to get a child’s sandbox and fill it with clean sand. Just give in to the dog’s need. You can help them to focus on the right spot by putting rocks or chicken wire (temporarily) over the spots where you don’t want them digging.