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Pets Q & A: Dog Digging

  • How can I prevent my dog from digging?
  • A dog that constantly digs holes in your yard may be doing so for a variety of reasons. Some dogs dig to escape confinement, other dogs dig to satisfy their instinctual need, while some dogs dig simply because they are bored. Understanding why your dog is digging will help in preventing future occurrences.

    If your dog is digging because it wants to get away, there are products you can purchase that create an odor the dog will find offensive and he will leave the area. This works well if your dog has a limited means of escape, but less well if you have a large fenced area. You can also accomplish the same thing yourself by pouring a bottle of Tabasco or ammonia over the area.


    The dog that digs simply because it's bored or has an instinctive drive to dig can probably be trained to do so in a specific area. Show your dog the boundaries where digging is permitted and bury a special treat there. When your dog digs up the surprise, praise and reward them. This method should be repeated until the animal learns it is okay to dig in that area. When you can catch them digging outside that area, tell them "No" and then immediately walk the dog over to the permitted area, telling them either "Here" or "Dig".

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