How to Stop Dogs from Digging Up Your Yard

The two main reasons for dog digging are that your dog may be too hot or too cold. When your dog digs a hole and lies in it, his temperature can be self-regulated. As dogs are unable to remove or add layers, they have to find other methods to give them relief from the weather conditions.

In addition, dogs dig due to boredom. When a dog owner is away from the home all day, dogs can become extremely bored. A dog that is left alone will find ways to entertain himself. Sadly, this might be digging!

To stop dogs from digging, their behavior needs to be redirected towards other activities. Sometimes all you need to do is provide him with a safe digging area where there will be no repercussions. Some dog breeds have an instinctive tendency to dig. Extra patience will be needed with these breeds in order to stop dogs from digging.

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The following tips should help to stop dogs from digging up your yard:

1. Put an unpleasant "present" in the hole dug by your dog. Frequently, a dog will begin digging, take a break from the hole, and come back later to carry on digging. While your dog is taking his break from digging, you should put the surprise in the hole. One suggestion is water sprayed with bitter apple, which is available in pet stores.

2. Placing garden waste in the holes is one way to stop your dog from digging. Most dogs like to dig in clean dirt. Add dead leaves, sticks, rocks, and mulch to the hole and cover it with a thin layer of soil. When your dog returns to his digging activities and finds these unwanted items in his hole, he will probably stop digging. If you find that this doesn't work, try filling the hole and spraying it with bitter apple. Most dogs dislike the odor and will stop digging in that particular hole.

3. Give your dog his own spot where he is free to dig without fear of punishment. Digging is natural for dogs. It will probably take a while for you to teach your dog to confine his digging to that area but it is certaivly possible. Stop your dog from digging in your back yard by giving him his own spot where he is free to dig holes.

A sandbox is one option or an area of your garden that has not been landscaped could be cordoned off. If you bury a few dog treats that your dog can find, this will teach him that he is free to dig in that spot. If you have previously scolded him for digging, you may need to give him extra encouragement. As soon as he understands that digging in that area is permitted, he will be an overjoyed dog.

4. When your dog has been provided with his own designated spot for digging, you will still need to keep things interesting for him. Once in a while, a toy or snack should be buried as a surprise for him. As dogs get bored with digging in the same area, he may decide that another part of your backyard looks more interesting.

Every so often, the sand or dirt in your dog's digging patch should be changed. Fresh dirt rather than hard earth is preferred by most dogs. Also, there will be occasions when your dog finds your flower beds more appealing than his designated digging spot. Spread animal essence, which hunters use to draw out animals, over your flower beds. Dogs may stop digging when they smell other animals.

This will stop your dog from digging anywhere other than his own digging patch. Dogs are not being mean when they dig under your fence as this is instinctive behavior for them.

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