To Stop A Dog From Digging Requires Patience

So, your dog behaves well inside and then when he gets outside the destructive habit of digging rears its ugly head. Some dogs are just attempting to tunnel there way under the fence, while others leave the yard scattered with potholes, all the results from the fruits of their labor. A couple of other reasons why your dog is digging besides the one where he is trying to get out would be, he saw something go into a hole and he is determined to get it out or he is looking for a place to bury a toy or a bone. Some dogs dig because they think that it is a hole lot of fun. Even though this behavior goes back many generations, there are ways to stop dog from digging.

*Punishment?

How to stop your dog from this bad behavior should not involve punishment. The tool of punishment to correct any dog behavioral problems is usually not the most effective tool. Remember he is not digging because he knows that it will get on your last nerve, it is part of his instinct and up to this point he does not understand that it is unacceptable behavior. Instead of punishing your dog,(he won't no why you're punishing him anyway) try to figure out WHY he is digging and then begin looking for a way to address it.

*Exercise Should Help

Some dogs will begin to dig out of boredom. Digging is a form of activity so to stop a dog from digging you need to find some other forms of exercise. One thing you could do is take him for a walk around the neighborhood, find a local dog park or go out into the yard and play ball with him for 25-minutes or so. You really need to try and release some of the boredom so just go out and do something with him.

*Small Animals

If the cause of your dogs digging is because he is in hot pursuit of a snake, gofer, mouse or something like that then in order to stop the digging in this type of situation would be to somehow get rid of these animals. Cunsult an expert if you don't think that you can get rid of the small animal problem but at least try to eliminate this temptation.

*It Is Too Hot Outside

When the temperature begins to rise your dog is going to look for a cool place to go and if he does not have one he will try to dig one. Your best chance to stop a dog from digging would be to give him a way to get out of the heat, get him a doghouse or try and put up some shade.

Digging just makes a mess of your yard and, worse case scenario, should your dog dig himself out he could get hurt. Try to find the cause of your dogs digging and use some of the suggestions above and see if they will help stop this behavior.