Some reasons why dogs dig might surprise you!
Digging is either the product of a natural instinct OR your dog has learned to be an Award Winner for Best Landscaper on Planet Earth.
Digging is what dogs do if they had to live in the wild. A pregnant dog would dig a hole, called denning, in order to create a safe place for her where she can give birth to her pups.
Digging a hole or a den is also a way for dogs to create a safe place to escape from predators, if they were to be in the wild. Dogs inherited digging from their ancestors. It is in their DNA to dig.
Have you ever observed your dog’s circling movement on his bed or on the carpet just before getting all comfy to sleep? In the wild, dogs will use this circling movement behaviour while digging a den to make sure they fit in the hole they are digging. Nature is so amazing right!
Dog breeds that dig
Is your dog a digger by heart? Certain dog breeds were bred specifically for their digging ability to hunt down prey. This digging instinct give these dog a great desire to excavate in order to find that burrowing wild animal or insect.
A dog breed that was specifically bred for digging is the Dachshund. The Dachshund’s short legs can reach easily into burrows for badgers and other small wild animals.
Other dog breeds that are prone to digging:
Malamutes
Siberian Huskies
Jack Russells
Basset Hounds
Bloodhounds
Beagles
Chow Chows
Digging is a way to cool down
Your dog may be digging for comfort in hot weather. Dogs might just be digging a hole to find a cooler spot to escape from the summer heat. In order to overcome overheating and to create a cool space, dogs will dig. Dogs dig through the hot surface-sand in order to get to the cooler sand which provides a much cooler surface to lie in.
Dogs know when they reached a desired temperature. How do they know that? Well, dogs have sensors in their paws that help them to determine when they reached that preferred temperature.
These excavations are usually underneath large shade trees, close to the foundation of your home and close by a water source. This digging usually happens when a dog’s kennel or bed is situated in the sun and they find it too hot to handle, especially in the hot summer days we experiencing here in South Africa.
A female dog with puppies will usually dig a den in the shade in order to provide a safe, private and cool place for her and her pups. This is called denning.
It is your responsibility to provide a cool and shady place for your dogs to rest and relax while they are outside.
Separation anxiety
If you have a dog digging up your garden, barking excessively and is destructive, you might have a dog with separation anxiety. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety then digging is a way for your dog to relieve stress.
Boredom and Self-entertainment
When a dog is left alone in the yard for long periods of time without the company of their owner and the yard is barren with no toys or social contact, they will start digging. Your dog may decide to dig holes just for something to do. It is a kind of self-soothing.
Saving food
Sometimes dogs save their food for later. They would dig a hole and bury bones in it. In this way dogs keep their food / bones for a raining day.
This behavior is based on hereditary behavior when wild dogs would bury extra food and bones so they could eat it later. In the world of early dogs, food was often hard to come by. If a dog was lucky enough to find something to eat, he had to compete with other dogs and other animals in order to keep his food. So dogs would bury bones and carcasses near their den.
Another great reason for dogs to dig in search of their so called “bones”, is when you have used bone fertilizer in your garden. Your dog will start digging to find “that bone” which is non-existing.
Gardening
Dogs love to do gardening with you and they love to dig in freshly tilted soil. The best advice I can give you in this regard, is to not do your gardening while your dog is watching you! Your dog is watching your every move and he is going to join you. Rather do this while your dog is not outside. So next time your dog digs up your freshly planted flowers, hold your temper. It is no use to get angry at your dog for ruining your beautiful flowers; he is only imitating you, doing some gardening!
Studies revealed that dogs can imitate our behavior 10 minutes after it has happened.
Intruders
There are many reasons why dogs dig. REMEMBER dogs are natural hunters. One of the many reasons is that your dog has spotted a mole -If you see a raised path leading to the excavation site.
Deal with this mole or any other small rodent or mammal problem in your garden. Please do not use poison! Any poison used is harmful to your dog!
Exploring
When dogs dig they can explore their area. It releases smells. They aerosolize scent that may be hidden. Because of their powerful sense of smell, dogs keep their mind stimulated when doing this exploration digging.
I know digging can be very frustrating especially when you have a beautiful garden specially designed and maintained by a landscaper. Training is always THE BEST way to manage this undesired digging behavior.
You are not alone!!
Find out here how Executive Dog Training can help you with your dog’s digging problem! No matter the age of your dog. Executive Dog Training is here to help you and your family.
DOG OWNER TIPS on how to stop dog digging holes:
Expand your dog’s world by increasing the time you spend with your dog walking on a daily basis. The lack of exercise and play time with your dog are leading causes for your dog’s digging problem. If your life is simply not allowing for more walks Executive Dog Training is here to assist you with exactly that!
I highly recommend enrolling your dog with Executive Dog Training and getting your dog onto our training program.
How to stop a dog from digging under a fence
When a dog is digging under a fence he is trying to escape!
Now this can mean a few things:
The dog’s environment is not safe
The dog’s environment is not an appealing place
The dog wants to escape confinement
Your neighbor might have a dog on heat and your dog is trying to escape your fenced-off yard to mate with another dog in the area. . . there are just so many more interesting things to do elsewhere!
I have experienced and seen firsthand how dogs dig trenches underneath fences and how dogs scale walls purely out of desperation to escape the yard in order to achieve his goal.
PREVENT DIGGING UNDER A FENCE – in this case neuter / spay your dogs!
You might have asked yourself this question: How do I stop my dog from digging holes? The answer is TAKE ACTION!!
Determining what cause your dog’s desire to dig holes is essential in order to solving this digging problem.
Consult with Executive Dog Training with regards to this digging problem. Together with you and your family, we establish the cause and reasons for your dog’s digging.
Executive Dog Training is experienced in finding the best solution for you, your dog and your family. Together we find ways how to best treat your dog’s digging behavior and excessive barking problems. Because of the fact that each dog has his own uniqueness, the solution for your dog’s digging problem is just as unique. Your dog will show more respect for you and your dog will remember all the commands taught during Executive Dog Training’s program.
Schedule your dog’s walking training sessions with Executive Dog Training. This will ensure your dog gets out and about, out of your yard and can experience all the great smells and wonders of the world around them on the outside of their yard.
REMEMBER all obedience training classes takes place from your very own home. No need to stress or worry about how you are going to get your dog to a training class.
Here is a quick and easy way to get hold of Executive Dog Training:
Go onto our Contact Us Page and fill in all your detail and I will get right back to you.
Alternatively you can call or WhatsApp me, Jeanette on 0724798103
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
I look forward to be of service to you and your family.
Warmest regards
Jeanette Vockerodt
Your Dog Trainer
