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You’re out in your yard, and you see it. Grass torn asunder, patches of fresh brown dirt exposed in your otherwise green lawn. And the culprit? Your dog.
While it’s natural to feel frustrated when your dog digs up your yard, try to remember that your dog isn’t trying to upset you. Instead, they’re just engaging in normal canine behavior, points out Lauren Sharkey, a dog trainer and behaviorist at Winnie’s World.
“Digging isn’t a ‘bad’ behavior,” adds Caroline Wilkinson, a certified animal behaviorist and founder of Barket Place. “It’s your dog showing an emotional or physical need.”
Dogs dig to burn energy, cool off, and bury treasures. Many dogs dig to hone a hunting instinct, rooting out insects and rodents burrowed into the soil. And some dogs just think it’s a whole lot of fun.
But your lawn can only take so much—and your pup’s passion for kicking up dirt can lead to more serious concerns like digging under fences and escaping.
If you and your yard have had enough, we have solutions. In this guide, we offer expert advice on how to stop your dog from digging—saving both your sanity and your grass.
Understand Why Your Dog Is Digging
When digging becomes a problem, it’s tempting to try quick fixes, like using a shock collar or covering your dog’s paws with booties. However, our experts say that these tactics are often ineffective. Worse, using aversive tools can cause more severe behavioral problems like stress and aggression, and covering your dog’s paws may cause frustration and lead to even more digging.
Instead, both Sharkey and Wilkinson recommend taking time to understand why your dog is digging in the first place. Are they digging to create a den or hide a treasure? Are they hunting for animals that live in the ground? Or are they simply bored and stressed?
Once you know why your dog is digging, you can address your dog’s needs and better protect your yard.
IrinaFuks via iStock
Dig-Proof Your Yard
Dig-proofing your yard means creating physical barriers and deterrents to keep your pup from digging. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to dig-proof your yard, but below are some of the most common approaches:
- Check for pests. Prey-driven dogs dig to hunt out small burrowing animals, rodents, and insects. To prevent this, check your yard for signs of pests, like raised earth or entry holes, and use non-toxic traps or deterrents to get rid of them.
- Address loose soil. Soft upturned soil and worn paths in your yard make it easier for your dog to dig. Tamp down loose earth and plant ground covers to hold the soil in place.
- Install barriers. Block off digging areas with sturdy metal stakes, panels, fencing, or wire mesh. Just make sure these barriers don’t have sharp edges that could hurt your dog’s paws.
- Use natural blockers. Sometimes, the best barriers are the ones you already have in your yard. For example, line up large pots filled with dog-safe plants to block areas where your dog digs. Fill any gaps between pots with big rocks to make it harder for your pup to squeeze through.
- Put down pavers and large rocks. Dogs typically only like to dig in soft dirt or small rocks. Large rocks and pavers can create a natural deterrent to digging, while also adding some visual beauty and interest to your yard.
- Avoid unsafe deterrents. While tempting, don’t use strong-smelling substances like vinegar, lemon juice, coffee grounds, or spices. These items can be unsafe for dogs and might make them avoid the yard entirely.
Provide Alternatives
A designated digging area gives your dog a place to engage in natural behaviors without wrecking your yard. To create a dig pit, build or buy a container, like a children’s sand pit or a doggy swimming pool. Fill it with sand or loose soil and hide toys or chews in the dirt for your dog to uncover.
Once you’ve set it up, introduce the dig spot to your dog. “Direct them to the digging area to show them what’s there, and reward them when they dig in that place,” advises Sharkey. If they go back to old digging spots, gently guide them to the pit and reward them again.
Increase Exercise
A tired dog is less likely to dig. Make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise every day. Not only will it keep them from taking out their pent-up energy on your petunias, but it’s essential for their overall health.
To give your pup some extra exercise, take longer walks, play frisbee at the park, or throw fetch toys for them to chase. If you don’t have the time or ability to do more, booking a dog walker is a great way to ensure that they get all the exercise they need.
ssss1gmel via iStock
Add More Enrichment
Your dog’s mental energy needs an outlet just as much as their physical energy.
Puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, and snuffle mats are a great way to keep your dog’s mind busy. Toys that encourage your dog to “burrow” or chase can help satisfy some of the same natural instincts that lead to digging.
Teaching your dog tricks or working on foundational training at home can also work their body and brain while giving you a chance to bond with your pup.
Address Environmental Changes
Many pet parents notice more digging when the seasons change, notes Sharkey. In summer, the soil below the surface is typically cooler than the warm top dirt, making a freshly dug hole a great place to chill. In winter, the opposite is true—the earth freezes slower than the air, offering dogs a cozy spot where they can warm up.
On hot days, use cooling mats or vests, dog pools, or frozen toys to help keep your dog cool. For chilly weather, create a cozy nest outside with old blankets, towels, or a heated bed.
Supervise Outdoor Time
Dogs are more likely to dig when they’re left alone outside. Rather than letting them play freely, start monitoring yard time. “Avoid letting your dog into spaces where they like to dig for prolonged periods on their own,” Wilkinson affirms.
When you’re outside with your pup, you can quickly redirect them and break up the reinforcing habit of digging. Wilkinson recommends using positive interrupters, like your dog’s name or a kissy sound, to get your dog’s attention whenever they start to dig. Once they focus on you, redirect them with their favorite toy or have them perform a cue they know well.
Reinforce Preferred Behaviors
Along with redirecting or preventing digging, you’ll want to reinforce what you’d rather your dog do instead. This could look like capturing and rewarding behaviors you want to see more of in the yard, like sunning on the lawn, digging in their dig pit, or solo playing with toys.
Working on skills like place training and the relaxation protocol can also help your dog learn how to chill with you when you’re spending time together in the yard.
When To Bring in a Trainer
If you’re struggling to understand why your dog is digging up your yard and what you can do to stop it, a professional dog trainer can help you pinpoint the source of the behavior and give you the tools to address it.
“Enlisting the support of an ethical trainer or behavior practitioner can help you find different approaches to tackle this issue,” Wilkinson adds.
Rover makes it easy to connect with certified positive reinforcement trainers in your area. With the help of a professional, you can better get to the root of your dog’s digging, come up with a customized plan to stop it, and save your yard!
