Stop a Doggy Digger! 7 Possible Causes and How to Prevent Them

Digging is natural for dogs. From your yard to your couch to your Nature’s Loo Real Grass Dog Toilets, It’s an activity your furry friends love to do. But, as a dog owner, it can be frustrating to witness especially if you’re the one cleaning up the mess.

If you want to stop your dog from digging, the first step is identifying the cause. Then, you can work on finding a solution that addresses the root of the behaviour. 

Why Do Dogs Dig?

 

 

 

There are many reasons for your dog’s digging. These include:

Boredom

Dogs get bored when they are stuck indoors for extended periods, so they look for activities where they can burn excess energy and relieve boredom. Without humans or other furbabies as playmates, they might resort to digging. 

Prey drive

Dogs are attracted to finding and catching prey and may dig to try to catch these animals. Active breeds like collies and shepherds or dogs bred to dig – hunting dogs like terriers and beagles – are also more prone to this behaviour.

Entertainment

Digging for dogs is rewarding and fun! It becomes even more exciting when they realise that it “plays back,” whether from the movement of the dirt, uncovering of roots or discovery of bugs.

Hoarding

Some dogs love to enjoy their treats or toys at a later time and may dig a hole to hide them in. This may also be a way to mark their territory and communicate with other animals in the area that the space has been claimed. 

To cool down

During warm weather, dogs might dig holes to lie on cooler soil. It might also serve as protection from cold, wind or rain.

Escape

If your furry friends long for freedom from your yard, they might resort to digging underneath a fence. They might also do this if they see something interesting beyond the walls – perhaps another animal on the other side of the fence – and want to follow it.

Seeking attention

Dogs get motivated to dig once they learn that they receive attention for doing it. To them, even punishment is attention – they might dig while you are present so that you’ll notice them and have a chance for interaction.

How to Stop a Dog From Digging?

 

Now that you know the possible reasons for your pooch’s behaviour, it’s time to find a solution. Remember that digging is highly reinforcing for your furry friends, so intervention is needed to help lessen the act. Here are some things you can try to get your dog to stop digging.

1. Spend more time with your dog.

Dogs dig because they don’t get enough stimulation, so make sure to boost your dog's physical health by doing more activities with them. Apart from going on walks, you can also run, swim, or play fetch to help them work off pent-up energy. If you’re unable to add additional walks to their routine, energy-burning games like automatic ball launchers and self-moving toys can keep them entertained indoors for hours.

2. Give your dog a ‘job’.

Besides exercise, it’s also important to give your dogs a mental boost. You can engage their brains by giving them nose work or puzzle toys, playing games like “find the toy,” or doing trick training.

3. Build an alternative dig pit.

Digging is a natural behaviour, and as pet owners, it’s our responsibility to provide them with an outlet for it. If your dog has resorted to digging indoors, including your carpet, couch or Nature’s Loo Real Grass Dog Toilets, you can build a dig pit for your dog where they satisfy their need for digging. Use a kiddie pool and fill it with blankets or towels. Here, you can “bury” their favourite toys, treats and chews and encourage them to dig through the materials to uncover their reward.

4. Keep them safe and cool.

If your pooch is digging to build a cool and cosy hiding spot, you can provide various resting spots inside your home where they can retreat. It can be a dog house, cave bed or even a cooling mat. This can also be the place where they can keep their beloved treats and toys.

5. Ignore attention seeking behaviour.

If your dog resorts to digging because they want to get a rise out of you, then don’t pay any attention to them. Instead, shower them with praise whenever they perform good behaviour.

6. Don’t leave them unsupervised.

Whether indoors or outdoors, the best way for your pooch to stop digging is to watch them closely when they play. This helps you protect the places you don’t want them to dig, like your sofa or carpet. You can also create clear boundaries by using dog gates or playpens to discourage your dog from approaching these areas.

If you have an indoor potty like the Nature’s Loo Real Grass Dog Toilets and they resort to digging because they’re naturally attracted to the grass, simply keep the lid attached to the box and close it when not in use. Only open when you see signs that your dog needs to go to the bathroom. Lastly, never leave your dog alone with the box so they don’t get tempted to dig through their potty.

What NOT to Do When Dogs Dig

Preventing your dog from digging takes patience, and you will need to work with them on behaviour modification. Avoid resorting to punishment – whether scolding or physical punishment – as this does not address the cause of the behaviour and might damage your relationship with your furry friend. It can even worsen their desire to dig as it now becomes a way to alleviate fear and anxiety.

Instead, try interrupting and redirecting any inappropriate digging. Move towards them, call their name or beckon them to come to you. If they have learned basic obedience, ask them to “leave it” and direct them to another activity. Don’t forget to praise them or reward them with treats, affection and playtime when they respond.

Digging is instinctive for dogs, so getting angry won’t get you anywhere – it will just leave you frustrated. As the pet owner, it’s up to you to manage their environment and provide alternative activities and enrichment so the behaviour is not reinforced. 

Looking for more tips and guides? Sign up for our newsletter to keep updated on proper pet care, or read our blog here.