Warm, sunny weather means more outdoor time, for both people and pets. Unfortunately, your dog’s idea of backyard fun may involve digging holes in your beautifully manicured lawn.
While digging is a normal behavior for dogs (especially terriers and other hunting breeds), most of us don’t appreciate having a yard that’s pockmarked with craters. So if your pup is a committed digger, read on for some easy tips to help curb this annoying habit.
Limit Unsupervised Outdoor Time
If your dog is left to entertain himself in the yard for hours on end, don’t be surprised if he decides that digging holes is a great way to pass the time. Dogs are intelligent, social animals who are easily bored – most would rather be with their people than outside alone with nothing to do.
Spend some time with your pup playing outdoor games like chase or fetch, or bring him inside with you. That way, he doesn’t have any opportunity to get into trouble.
Block Access to High-Risk Areas
Consider using a garden fence, chicken wire, or other barrier to block off any areas that are especially attractive for digging, such as flower beds, or parts of the yard that have been professionally landscaped. Dogs often can’t resist soft, loose surfaces like potting soil or mulch, so be proactive and restrict access to these zones to help prevent problems.
Provide Toys & Enrichment Activities
If your dog does need to spend some time outside alone, make sure to give him something fun to do while he’s out there. Bored dogs get into trouble, so try to provide some activities to challenge his brain and keep him busy.
Try a treat toy stuffed with something yummy, or a long-lasting chew like a bully stick or rawhide. You can even scatter his dinner in the grass, and let him search the yard to find each piece.
Designate an Approved Digging Area
Finally, if your dog’s favorite activity is digging, consider giving him his own dedicated area in the yard where he can dig to his heart’s content. This could be something like a sandbox, or a kiddie pool filled with dirt or garden soil. Bury a few of his favorite toys or chew items in his special area, and encourage your pup to sniff and dig them out. Supervise him in the yard at first, so you can redirect him to his own digging spot if he starts pawing at the grass someplace else. With practice and consistency, he’ll learn the new rules and confine his digging to designated areas only.