Dogs dig holes to reach cool earth or to hide their food from other animals.
Lining the fence with large, flat stones stops them from tearing up the soft ground in those spots.
If the digging continues, make a sand-filled spot in a cool corner to save your lawn from more holes.
Find the Digging Spots in Your Yard
Watch the dog to see if he digs along the fence or in the middle of the grass.
Dogs look for soft soil to reach insects or cool roots buried deep in the ground.
Leaving these holes open ruins your yard and encourages the dog to keep digging in the same place.
Stop Digging Under the Fence
Dogs dig under fences to escape or explore the area outside.
Scolding the dog after the hole is already made does not work because he won’t understand why you are angry.
Instead, bury large stones or heavy wire mesh along the bottom of the fence to block his path.
Filling the gaps with gravel makes the ground too rough for his paws, which stops him from trying to get out.
Pick a Spot for the Dog to Dig
Choose a specific corner of the yard where digging is allowed. Keep this spot interesting by burying a few chew toys or bones.
When the dog uses this area, a quick treat or praise helps mark it as the right spot.
If digging starts in the wrong place, call your pet over and lead the way back to the sandy area.
Keep the Dog Busy with Interactive Toys
Boredom is the main reason dogs start digging. Instead of letting your pet ruin the lawn, provide toys that keep him moving.
Interactive toys like tether tuggers, treat-dispensing balls, or automatic ball launchers focus his energy on play.
Treat-dispensing balls work well because the dog has to use “nose and paws” to get a reward.
For those that like to pull, a tether tugger burns off plenty of energy.
This routine keeps the dog too tired to dig holes by the end of the day.
Can the Dog Be Taught Not to Dig?
Use rewards and clear commands to train the dog.
- Clicker Training: A clicker marks the exact moment the dog does something right. When he follows a command, click immediately and give him a treat. The sound tells him exactly what earned the food, so he learns to do it again. This is a nicel way to teach the dog basic commands like sit, stay, or come. [1]
- Shaping: This means breaking a task into smaller steps. If you want the dog to wait at the door, first reward him for walking toward it. Next, reward him for sitting. Finally, reward him only when he waits for the door to open. If you rush the steps, the dog gets confused and gives up.
In our case, the most important commands are “stop” and “place”.
Buy a Dog House?
The dog needs a safe place to retreat when the sun gets too strong.
Without a proper shelter, your pet will dig holes or burrow in the dirt to find a cool spot. If he starts digging, keep him away from the garden and plants that are toxic or dangerous.
Give the dog a clean, dry, and airy spot to lie down. Also, keep fresh water in a heavy dish that he cannot tip over.
Dog Pool
Use a dog pool to cool your pet down when the sun is at its peak. A plastic pool or a foldable one works best because you can move it easily.
Place this pool in a shady spot so the water stays cool instead of heating up. The dog will jump in to cool off rather than digging holes in your garden.
If you have more dogs, watch them to make sure the play doesn’t get “too rough”.
Conclusion
If you wonder how my Sarplaninacs behave, they “dig holes” the most when they see passers-by near our hedge.
They want to get to the “threat” and some even tore the wire at the bottom of the fence to get out of the yard!
Every now and then, I catch them digging a hole just to hide some food. They look at me afterwards like nothing happened, which always puts a smile on my face.
What are your experiences with this? Do your dogs also try to get out of the yard like mine? Tell me in the comments below.
