If your dog loves to dig up your garden, you might be wondering what you can do to try and stop this action. While it’s something normal for dogs to do, it can soon destroy your home and cause endless problems in your backyard. Today we’re going to share some of the top reasons that dogs dig in the garden and discover the answer to the question of why do dogs dig so you can work to put an end to this problem.
Reasons Why Dogs Dig In The Garden
There are many reasons why your dog might dig in the garden, some of which are easier to overcome than others. Keep reading as we discover the top five answers to the question of why is my dog digging.
1. Instinct
It’s part of a dog’s natural instinct to dig. When they see a new area to explore or are just wondering what’s going on beneath the surface of the ground, they naturally want to get their paws to work and start digging. As with human behaviors that come naturally to us, it can be hard to retrain your dog when discovering why do dogs dig.
2. Escape
Your dog may find themselves in situations that cause distress for a variety of reasons. Just like when we find ourselves in trouble, we want to escape and do everything we can to get away from the problem. Digging is a way for your dog to try and hide, allowing them to go under the ground and not be seen. Whether they are in trouble with their owner or feel like their life is at risk in some way, it’s a natural reaction for dogs in these situations.
3. Hunting a Prey
Dogs are natural hunters, so when hunting a prey, they might want to go under the ground to improve their chance of catching them. This is one of the reasons that this behavior is so normal to dogs, as it’s what many animals in the wild do. It’s typically more of an issue with some breeds than others, and you’ll find that larger dogs may be more inclined to dig up your garden for this reason.
4. Hiding a Treasure
Dogs like to have fun just like children, and digging serves as a way to hide something from their owner or another animal. If they’ve found a toy or a stick that they particularly like, they might want to hide it away in a safe spot to avoid anyone else from getting it. This is typically meant as a very harmless act, but of course, it still causes trouble in your garden.
5. Boredom
One of the top reasons that we see come up when discussing the question of why do dogs dig holes in the garden with pet owners is that their dog is simply bored. As with young children, if you don’t keep your dog entertained and stimulated all day long, you may find that they start acting up in order to keep themselves busy. We recommend learning more about the top enrichment ideas for dogs, all of which will help to keep their minds busy and avoid them digging up your garden in the future.
How to Stop a Dog From Digging?
Now that you know some of the top answers to the question of why does my dog dig in the garden, it’s time to find out what you can do about this problem. There are many ways around this issue, but by identifying the root cause of the issue first, you’ll be on the right track to resolving it once and for all. If you find your dog digs up the same spot over and over again, it’s time to place down some obstacles to stop them from digging up this area. You can use chicken wire by your fences, which are a common place to dig, or add more bushes around your yard. As a homeowner, you know the areas you are most concerned about, so focus on those first to avoid future destruction.
Digging is a natural behavior for dogs, so make sure you still allow them to unleash their frustration and boredom in a healthy way. We recommend adding a sandbox to your garden if they love to dig. Train your dog over time to use this instead of digging anywhere else. Try to place this in a shaded area if your dog likes to dig to keep cool, which is another common reason we see for dogs digging.
Dogs who are hunting for prey may need your assistance to reduce the rodent population within your backyard. We don’t recommend using poison, as this can pose a huge health risk to your pets, but instead, try to find a natural way to remedy this issue. The best way to keep your dog away from digging up your garden is to keep them physically and mentally stimulated each day. Make sure they are getting a minimum of thirty minutes of exercise a day, which can reduce the frustration they feel which may lead to digging. How to stop a dog from digging is such a common question we receive from pet owners all the time. As you can see, there are many reasons for this issue, and by finding the source of your dog’s frustration you can work to overcome this issue and keep your garden in better shape in the future. These are just a few of the easiest ways to stop your dog from digging up your backyard in the future. It’s a problem that many dog owners share, so don’t get too frustrated if your dog has recently started to damage your garden. Instead, work to retrain your dog and encourage healthier habits that will lead to fewer issues in the future. Keep your dog stimulated with enrichment activities will help them to live a more fulfilling life.
