How Do You Get a Dog to Stop Digging?

As much as I love my dog, there's one habit that's driven me up the wall—digging. Whether it's in the garden, the backyard, or even on the carpet, digging can quickly become a frustrating and destructive behavior. At first, I thought it was just a phase, but soon realized that digging is actually quite common for dogs. They dig for different reasons, and understanding the cause behind the behavior is the first step in finding a solution.

I’ve spent plenty of time researching and trying different methods to curb my dog’s digging habit, and I want to share what worked best for me. If your dog is digging up your garden or tearing up your yard, don’t worry! There’s hope. Here's a guide on how to stop your dog from digging—based on my personal experience.

Why Do Dogs Dig?

Before diving into how to stop your dog from digging, it helps to understand why dogs dig in the first place. In my case, my dog started digging when he was still a puppy. Over time, I learned that digging can be caused by a variety of reasons. Here are a few common ones:

1. Boredom – Dogs are active, curious creatures. If they don’t get enough mental or physical stimulation, digging can become a way to pass the time.
2. Anxiety – Dogs that are anxious, especially during storms or when left alone, may dig as a way to cope with their stress.
3. Hunting or exploring – Dogs may dig in search of something like food, a toy, or even critters like bugs or rodents.
4. Comfort or shelter – Digging can be instinctual, a way for dogs to create a cooler or more comfortable space, especially during hot weather.
5. Attention seeking – Sometimes, digging is simply a way for dogs to get attention. Even if it's negative attention, they may continue to dig if they know it’ll make you react.

Understanding the root cause of the digging is key to finding the right solution.

Also read: How to Block a Dog from the Couch?

Method 1: Provide More Exercise and Mental Stimulation

One of the first things I tried to combat my dog's digging behavior was giving him more exercise. Boredom is one of the most common reasons for digging, and it's something I had to address.

1. Daily walks – A daily walk or run can help burn off that extra energy. I started taking my dog on longer walks and found that it not only kept him physically fit but also mentally stimulated.
2. Interactive toys – Dogs need to engage their brains. I invested in some puzzle toys, treat-dispensing balls, and other interactive games. This gave my dog something fun to do when he was home alone, reducing his desire to dig out of boredom.
3. Training sessions – Short training sessions throughout the day helped keep my dog mentally active. I would teach him new tricks or work on reinforcing commands. This not only helped with his behavior but also strengthened our bond.

If your dog is constantly digging because they’re bored, providing more physical and mental stimulation can help a lot. When my dog started getting regular exercise, the digging decreased significantly.

Also read: How to Keep Cats from Scratching Carpet？

Method 2: Create a Comfortable and Safe Space

If your dog is digging to create a cool spot to lie down or because they feel anxious, creating a designated digging area or a cozy retreat might help.

1. Designate a digging area – I decided to create a specific “digging zone” in my backyard where my dog was allowed to dig. I filled it with soft soil and sand, and whenever he started digging in other parts of the yard, I redirected him to that spot. Over time, he learned that it was the only place where digging was allowed.
2. Provide shelter – If your dog is digging to seek shelter or comfort, providing a shaded area or a cozy dog house can help. I set up a comfortable dog bed in a quiet spot in the yard, which my dog soon began using as his go-to resting spot. It gave him the comfort he needed without the need to dig.
3. Calming aids – If your dog is anxious, consider using calming aids like anxiety wraps, pheromone diffusers, or calming music. These helped reduce my dog’s anxiety and, in turn, reduced his tendency to dig when he was stressed.

Method 3: Use Deterrents

When positive reinforcement wasn’t enough, I had to resort to some deterrents. There are plenty of options that can help stop your dog from digging without causing harm. Here are a few methods I tried that worked:

1. Citrus peels or sprays – Dogs generally dislike citrus smells. I started by scattering orange or lemon peels around the areas my dog liked to dig, and I also used a commercial citrus spray. The scent was strong enough to discourage him from digging, and after a few weeks, he stopped digging in those spots.
2. Chicken wire or fencing – If your dog is digging under a fence to escape, placing chicken wire or reinforcing the base of the fence can stop them. I buried chicken wire several inches below the surface in areas where my dog had tried to dig out. This made it much harder for him to dig underneath.
3. Motion-activated sprinklers – For stubborn diggers, motion-activated sprinklers can be very effective. The sudden burst of water will startle your dog and discourage them from digging. I used one of these in my yard and found that it worked quickly to stop my dog from digging in certain spots.

Method 4: Focus on Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement has always worked well for my dog, so I made sure to reward good behavior. Whenever my dog stopped digging or redirected his attention to a more appropriate activity, I made sure to reward him with treats, praise, and affection.

1. Redirecting behavior – Whenever I caught my dog digging, I redirected his attention to something else, like fetching a toy or playing in a designated digging area. When he stopped digging and focused on the new activity, I praised him.
2. Rewarding calm behavior – If my dog stopped digging and settled down in his bed, I would reward him with a treat or a pat on the head. This made him associate calm behavior with positive rewards, and he gradually stopped digging out of frustration or boredom.

Final Thoughts

Getting a dog to stop digging is a process that takes time, patience, and consistency. By understanding why your dog is digging and using a combination of training, deterrents, and positive reinforcement, you can help them break the habit. It’s important to remember that digging is often a natural behavior, and with the right strategies in place, both you and your dog can find peace in the backyard. Just keep trying different methods until you find what works best, and soon enough, the only thing your dog will be digging is their cozy spot in your living room.