How to stop my dog from digging holes?

Is your dog digging holes all over your yard?

At first you may think that you've got to do whatever you can to prevent your dog from digging more. But as it turns out, the dog may be doing this for an important reason. Instead of getting upset at your pup, consider why he or she might be making a mine field out of your back yard. Here are some common reasons your dog might dig holes in your yard.

Reasons dogs dig holes in your yard

• In classic "dig your way out of prison" fashion, they are attempting to escape the yard.
• They may be escaping something they fear - neighborhood dogs or natural events such as thunderstorms.
• Anxiety and separation issues that arouse from their general lifestyle, not necessarily from the condition of the back yard.
• They might hear the sounds of underground creatures and bugs, or smell something buried in the ground, and dig holes to attempt find them. This will often cause random placement of holes around your yard.
• To escape the summer heat - if you live in a hot area, your dog may try to dig himself a cool hole to rest in.
• They could be lacking certain minerals in their diet, and dig holes in the hope of finding them in the soil in your yard.
• Terrier breeds are natural hunting dogs, and will instinctively dig in the ground for prey or food. There's no point trying to deny their instincts.
• Your dog may be digging a hole to stash away food or items of shelter. This is a natural preservation instinct.
• Female dogs may dig holes as part of their natural mating behavior.

How do I find out why my dog is digging holes in our yard?

The best way to discourage digging behavior is to first explore the reasons, listed above, that may induce your dog to dig holes. But most importantly, you should realize that digging is a normal doggie trait. According to a national survey, more than 83% of American dog owners have dogs that dig holes. Furthermore, canine experts affirm that digging is a natural adaptive behavior seen in the wild as well.  In other words, dogs are going to dig holes, for one reason or another, and you shouldn't put too much effort into stopping them. Hindering dogs from carrying out their natural, predisposed functions is not good for their health and well-being.

How do I stop my dog from digging holes?

Depending on the reason above, you need to take different approaches to get your dog to stop digging holes in your yard. If your dog is digging random holes throughout the yard, he or she is most likely smelling or hearing something underground and trying to get to it. In this case, you could try digging a larger hole for them in an acceptable location in the yard, and try and motivate them to dig only there by burying treats for them to find.

As far as the other reasons are concerned, in most cases digging is a natural behavior. The most important thing to confirm is that your dog is well taken care of. Make sure they are getting enough food, but not too much (or they may dig a hole to hide the left-overs ;), and make sure they are kept in an appropriately climate-adjusted environment. They should have a place to sleep, be kept up to date with their veterinary appointments, etc. etc. These are all things you need to check off your list as a responsible dog owner before attempting to find fault in your dog's behavior. Even then, a dog's behavior often has a natural source. Unlike humans, dogs don't have the will to be ill-intentioned, and in the case of digging holes in your back yard they are following a natural instinct or learned behavior that, while annoying to you, is out of survival or need for them.