The adorable puppy you just couldn't resist...has grown up! He/She has turned over every inch of soil in your landscaped yard! "How can I stop my dog from digging?" I have heard this question countless times. The first thing to consider when searching for a solution is the probable cause (or causes) of the problem? In the wild, as well as in our yards, a dog will dig for a variety of reasons.

Digging to Hunt

Dogs smell things that we can't even imagine having a scent! I once heard of a dog being able to identify salt water by smell. Two 5-gallon buckets were placed side by side, both filled with water. One bucket had one tablespoon of salt in it, and the dog sniffed out the salt! Have you ever tried to identify salt by smell? To humans, it doesn't even possess a scent, yet a dog can identify it after diluted by 5 gallons of water. Can you imagine what he/she smells underneath the ground? There are countless bugs, possible remnants of dead animals, possible trash pits and a doggie favorite: live game. Live game under the ground is often a mole, or sometimes even a gopher. If you find your dog digging trenches in your yard, you can make a good bet that he/she is hunting moles. If he/she is digging under a particular bush or hedge, there may be a nest of bugs or snakes underground that he/she smells.

Digging for Shelter

Many dogs that spend a good deal of time outside resort to their instinct desire to have shelter. Dogs in the wild usually would not choose to live in a dog house, or even a porch, they would prefer a den. If your dog has a man-made shelter provided for him/her most likely he/she will feel most comfortable digging a big hole to lie in. The hole may be under his/her house, at the side of your house or under your porch. Rarely will he/she position themselves in the middle of the yard. Dogs are social animals and if they cannot be with you, they will be as close to you as possible. Hence, they make take up residence by the door or at the side of the porch. Sometimes they will dig a nice hole by a window or some other place where they can hear there people inside. If your dog digs a few big holes and lies in them, he/she is probably digging for shelter. The holes keep him warm in the winter and cool in the summer as well as providing a cozy piece of doggie furniture.

Digging for Boredom

Dogs are social animals. Is your dog banned to the yard all day? Is he/she a permanent "outside dog"? Dogs are pack animals and have a high pack drive. They have a strong need to be included in the family. Going outside to feed and visit your dog for 20 minutes a day is not including him/she in the family.

Digging for Fun

For some breeds and some individual dogs a day filled with digging is a day well spent. Digging is a natural and enjoyable activity for a dog. It is also a good way to exercise; dogs can tire themselves out just by digging. If they have a lot of unused energy from a lack of exercise digging is one way the can use it up. Many dogs dig for pure enjoyment do not lack exercise, they simply love the smell of the earth, the feel of dirt and the pleasure of digging.

For many dogs, digging is one of their favorite things to do in life. Digging is a natural LOVE for certain breeds. They would rather tolerate your scolding than to never dig again. Scolding lasts for only moments but no digging forever is forever. Just think if you couldn't do one of your favorite things ever again without being scolded, you would probably do it anyway!

These are the basic reasons why most dogs dig. They don't know you spent hundreds of dollars on landscaping your yard. To them, dirt is dirt and it's their natural instincts.

The next step is finding a solution for your dog. If he/she is hunting moles, get rid of the grub worms in your yard. If he/she is hunting bugs, be thankful that he/she is not hunting moles! Dogs that dig for bugs usually leave "divets" much like a golfer and these are not as horrifying as the "grand canyon" effect. If he/she is hunting bugs, you can get rid of many of them by following advice from your local garden shop. If you dog doesn't dig to hunt, he/she may be digging for shelter.

If he/she is an outside dog you may be able to curb his/her digging by allowing them inside the house to be with the pack "people". A doggie door can make the house available to the dog and still give him/her the opportunity to go outside. If you don't want your dog to have run of the house maybe you can make a doggie proof section of the house where the doggie door is installed. If a dog is not allowed in the "den" most begin to have behavior problems and feel lonely from the rest of pack. This isolation can be very stressful on an animal. If you do not plan to include your dog in your family and your home you need to seriously consider whether or not you can provide the social environment that a dog thrives upon. I have found that when dogs are included in the family and feel like they belong excessive unwanted behaviors usually clear up with little effort. However, just bringing the dog in at night is not a cure-all. Dogs are socially orientated. They are absolutely miserable if isolated from the pack. Most dogs prefer to lie by your feet even when you are watching TV, rather than be all alone outside. If you have an outside dog that becomes unruly when let into the home, he/she is starving for the attention. I would recommend you teach the consult a professional dog trainer and teach the dog what is expected of him or her. Most dogs like to feel productive. They like having a "job". If you can't take your dog to work with your or simply run errands with the dog then find a local pet sitter or a doggy daycare. A basic obedience course is a wonderful way to build a bond with your dog and teach him/her manners. There are also agility classes and fly ball classes. You can simply do a search on the internet for local clubs.

If you dog simply loves to dig after trying all of the options above here are some other tactics to hinder digging: bury chicken wire where they like to dig, bury bricks where they like to dig, fill the holes with water, fill the holes with their stool and/or place small mousetraps in the holes and cover lightly. Unfortunately, these tactics are not successful for the vigilant diggers. Sometimes they pose mental stimulation for them. If your dog loves to dig, no matter what sneaky plan you come up with…he/she will find a place to dig…somewhere! Give him a place to dig! Give your dog a nice sandy area of his own. Preferable in the shade, because dogs like to stay cool. I use sand because sand is easier to deal with than dirt. Sand and water mixed together to not make mud. Sand dries more quickly and shakes off better. Make your dog a sand pile or sand box in of his favorite digging spots. You can make it more interesting by placing landscaping rocks around it or a small garden fence. You can also put up a spot that Rover Digs Here or whatever catchy phrase you choose. This special spot will also make a handy place to keep his/her toys and bones. The trick is getting your dog to dig where you feel it's appropriate. In order to teach your dog where you consider digging appropriate first you need to make special spot for him/her. Call him/her over to it and start digging in it with your hands. Encourage him/her to the same. Make a big game out of it and give them a lot of praise. After they dig in the spot you have designated for them play a favorite game, throwing a ball or frisbee for them. Then, run back to the spot and say go dig, go dig! Good Digging! Encouraging again with praise. You are teaching him/her this is their spot. Next, trap any inappropriate holes. They may be confused at 1st but if you stay consistent over 1-2 weeks you will find he/she will only go to the designated area you designed for them. If you see the dog go back to an inappropriate spot to dig then say, no dig, and take him/her to the appropriate spot. Placing his /her stool in the inappropriate areas is the most effective way to stop digging.

Now, that you've chosen a perfect shaded area for a digging spot and provided fun sand. We now have to think of fleas. Contact your veterinarian for a flea and tick remedy. Example: Frontline

Owners: Dogs are intelligent, compassionate and fun loving creatures. Your pet deserves to have a mentally and physically stimulating life. They deserve to be loved and included in the family (pack). Give your dog the opportunity of have all of these things.