Why is my dog digging holes all of a sudden

Why is my dog digging holes all of a sudden

It’s a norm for dogs to dig holes, with more than 80 percent of dog owners reporting that their dogs have a habit of digging holes. It would be unwise not to take the necessary measures to stop this behavior,r especially if you have invested time and resources to make your garden somehow attractive. Constant digging of holes leads to the build-up of earth chunks, which is not something good for your garden. To curb this behavior, start by finding out the reasons as to why your dog keeps on digging holes in your yard and from there come up with the necessary measures to prevent further damage to your yard.

Besides excellent hearing, dogs can smell and sense things we human beings can’t. They can sense and hear something underground, which is not common for human beings. Dogs dig more often to catch something they have heard or sensed burrowing in the soil.

There are times dogs dig holes to create a shelter, especially during the summer, when the temperatures are quite high. Besides the need to escape the summer heat, dogs may also dig holes to create shelter during the rainy season or when there is a thunderstorm.

Lack of specific minerals and vitamins in its diet can cause a dog to dig and feed on certain types of soil. Hunting dog breeds are known to dig underground in search of prey. Dogs tend to dig holes into stashing surplus foods for consumption at a later date.

How can I stop my dog from digging holes?

Having found out the reason that causes your dog to dig holes in your yard, it is the right time to take the necessary measures to curb this behavior. Here are a few strategies that can stop your dog from digging holes in your garden.

Build a comfy relaxing area for your dog

During the day, you can opt to put the dog bed in this place or buy a new dog bed for outdoor purposes. Place a pillow or any other bedding into it. This will give your pet a comfy relaxing atmosphere, and it will not have time to dig holes.

Avoid leaving your pet alone in your yard for prolonged periods. Play with him, more often and ensure he has several objects such as toys to keep him busy when you’re not around.

Keep in mind to lock your dog when doing gardening, especially when planting flowers and seeds. This is because dogs tend to copy human behaviors. For instance, if your dog sees your digging, it is likely to copy this behavior and practice it when you’re gone.

Always remember to provide him or her with fresh water and shelter, especially during the warm and cold seasons.

You can also think of burying a wire mesh or kitchen wire and cover with dirt that supports the growth of plants in areas your dog likes to dig. Once the plants have grown via it, it will discourage your dog from digging since it can dig beyond an inch or two underneath the surface. The other way is to place rocks that will act as a barrier in spots where your dogs like to dig.

Choose a specific area in your garden for digging purposes.

Choose a specific area in your yard and designate it for digging purposes. An alternative is to dig a large hole to let them play. Always encourage them to play in the designated area and praise them for doing so. To further encourage them to play in this hole, add their favorite toys into it and this will attract them to playing in this hole and spend more of their time there.

Don’t Allow Toys Outside.

Always avoid your pet from taking toys outside since there is a likelihood of burying them. The only time you should let toys outside is when you’re directly engaging your pet or watching out as he plays. Failure to do so will lead to the loss of toys, and you may have to replace them since you may not find the area where they were buried.

Relieve Boredom and Stress

Just like human beings, dogs are social animals, and they like to play and exercise to stay active and fight off boredom. It would be good if you can spend time with your dog is essential, especially high-energy dogs. Since dogs like to socialize and to exercise, there are various activities you can engage your dog in to facilitate this process. Exercises are essential for mental stimulation, keeping your pet active most of the time. Here are some of the activities you can engage your dog in for socialization and exercising thereby relieving stress and boredom

Subject your dog to multiple training sessions daily

Letting your dog interact with other dogs, especially in a dog park.

Taking your pet for a walk

Playing with your dog various games such as tug-of-war

The main of these activities is to help your pet stay active, relieve stress, and boredom without having to dig holes into your yard.

Opt for Dog Sport

Dog sports present the perfect opportunity for the dogs to burn excess calories and stay active alleviating boredom. These sports ensure your dog is fully engaged, and there is no time for digging holes in your yard.

Earthdog is another dog sporting activity designed purposely for breeds that are used to digging in search of a play. It works by allowing the dog to scent the prey via tunnels, thereby engaging in their instincts in a better way rather than digging holes in your yard.

Prevent Escape

Dogs can engage in digging holes whenever they are trying to find an escape route. This is usually the case for dogs that have been moved from one shelter to another, and they may become uncomfortable or lonely if they were living with other dogs. To prevent this, engage your pet in activities and will alleviate stress and reduce boredom. Seal the spots your pet is trying to dig with either rocks or wire mesh, and this will be the end of this behavior.