Some dogs were bred to dig out their prey, others are suffering with behavioral issues. Digging is merely a symptom of the problem at hand. Once the issue is resolved, the digging will either lessen considerably or disappear entirely. Listed below are the five most common reasons for digging and ways to eliminate them.
Genetics
Certain breeds were born to dig. Dachshunds and Terriers are designed to claw the ground, hunting for badgers, foxes and other woodland creatures. It is in their DNA and if the dog is a digger already, an owner will be hard pressed to redirect the addiction. Instead of fighting the digging, allow them one safe place to dig. A sand box filled with dog toys. If the dog digs in an inappropriate spot, redirect them to their appropriate place and let them excavate to their hearts content.
Boredom
Often boredom digging can be curtailed with extra exercise and increased mental stimulation. Most terriers are high energy dogs, since their predisposition is to dig, they may engage in boredom digging for something to do. Rotate their toys every couple of days to give them something new to play with. Enroll them in a special training class, like agility or flyball. This will give them an outlet for their extra energy, the roses in the garden will remain safe.
Caching
Dogs sometimes bury their toys, bones or treats to dig up later. This is called caching. A little effort, a little creativity this type of digging can be deterred. Some of the ways to deal with caching is look at what the dog is digging. If it is small toys, offer larger ones to play with. Make sure toys are picked up and rotated often so the dog won’t get bored playing with the same thing day in and day out. If the larger toys end up in the garden next to the tomatoes, try hanging the toys from the fence and the trees. Low enough so the dog can still play with them, but tight enough they can’t be carried off and buried.
Is the dog burying food or treats to save until later? Reduce the amount of food at mealtimes. The dog won’t feel the need to “store up for winter” if the belly is full and no food is left in the bowl.
