Why Dogs Dig

With spring here most of us are about to start working on our yards.

Unfortunately, to some of you it means filling holes or setting up eye sore fencing to keep your dog from digging in your garden. Dogs institutionally dig, some breeds much more than others. For breeds that have been bred to burrow to get prey the best way to keep your yard hole free is to give them a place to dig. This can be a flower box or child's swimming pool filled with dirt. Bury treats or your dogs toys to encourage them to treat in that location.

Even though some breeds are bred to dig most dogs that dig are simply bored. If your dog is digging up your yard the first step is to make sure you do not have vermin like moles in your yard. Once that is determined you can start behavioral modification.

First thing to understand is that most dogs do not want to be outside without some sort of interaction. Dogs are social, so if they are bored and alone they are going to find something to do. I'm not saying that some dogs don't like to sit outside and sun bathe, but for the most part dogs would rather be with their human or canine buddy.

There is a common misconception about dogs and yards. Almost everyone believes that if you have a dog you need a yard, with that said most also think that if they have a yard their dogs do not need to be exercised. Dogs need both mental and physical stimulation to be properly "exercised". And a yard where they go everyday is not stimulation. The best thing you can do if you have a high energy dog is to treat your yard as a litter box and take him/her to the park, walk, or ride daily.

If your dog has started to dig there are a few things you can do to stop that behavior. First, as stated above do not leave your dog outside unattended and take your dog out more often for stimulation. Next, fill in all the holes and block off that area. Dogs tend to dig in the same location so blocking the location will help stop the bad habit. If your dog is dedicated to digging make a location that it is ok for him/her to dig.

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