Digging Up the Garden: Preventing Your Dog's Landscaping Adventures

How to stop your dog digging up the garden

Why do dogs dig?

There are many reasons a dog may dig!

Instinct: Digging is a behaviour inherited from a dog's wild ancestors. Wolves and other wild canines dig to create a den, hide food, or regulate their body temperature. While domestic dogs may not have the same needs, the instinct to dig is still present.

Cooling down: Dogs may dig holes in the ground to create a cooler spot to lie in on a hot day. The earth is cooler than the surface, and by digging, they can reach cooler soil.

Boredom: Dogs that are bored or under-stimulated may dig as a way to pass the time and expend energy. It can be a form of entertainment for them.

Hunting or prey drive: Some dogs dig to chase after small animals they sense underground, such as rodents or insects. This is an expression of their natural prey drive.

Anxiety and stress: Dogs may dig as a way to relieve stress or anxiety. It can serve as a coping mechanism to alleviate their emotional state.

Territorial behaviour: Dogs may dig to mark their territory or to create a comfortable spot for resting. The scent glands in their paws can leave a scent behind in the dug area (this is particularly seen after toileting).

Seeking comfort: Dogs may dig to create a comfortable nest or sleeping area.

Playfulness: Some dogs dig simply because they enjoy the act of digging. It can be a fun and playful behaviour for them.

How to stop your dog digging up your lawn

Provide an alternative: Given digging is such a natural behaviour for a dog, as a first port of call it’s good to give them an appropriate outlet for this behaviour! If you can, it’s great if you’re able to have an area of your garden where your pup IS allowed to dig. For example you could set up a 1m x 1m sandpit type area, and they can dig in that. You could occasionally bury bones and food or toys in there at times and encourage your dog to dig there to find them. Then this is where they learn to dig. If they try to dig elsewhere in the garden, you can give a No or Leave It command. This is what I do with my dogs at home.

Give plenty of stimulation: Generally provide your dog with plenty of play and exercise. When you’re not home, leave your pup with plenty of toys to play with on the lawn - a Kong toy stuffed with dog roll is particularly effective, as it smells great and your dog can spend ages trying to get the delicious food out of it. Food puzzles are also good, as well as any other engaging dog toys! In summer, you could freeze a bone or your dog’s favourite toy inside an ice cream container filled with water, then let your dog lick it and work out how to get to the treat they can sort of see hidden inside!

Set up a deterrent: Another thing you can try is blowing up a balloon until it is taut. Put it in the hole your dog has been digging (when your pup isn’t watching) and cover with a bit of dirt - if your pup digs in the same hole, the balloon will pop and it gives them a fright which acts as a deterrent.  You can also tie a mouse trap into the hole your pup has been digging in and cover with a bit of dirt, so that your pup will set it off and get a fright if they dig in the same hole - this works in the same way as the balloon.  If you have a smaller breed or a young puppy, wrap tape around the wire flap on the trap to soften it even further. Always use a lightweight mouse trap, not a rat trap.

Need more help?

If you’re still having trouble, you can find additional training techniques which will certainly help with behaviours like this in my Virtual Puppy School!

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