How to Stop a Dog from Digging + Digging Pit/Box Idea | Pupford

Tired of pulling your hair out trying to figure out how to stop a dog from digging?

It’s hard not to get angry with your furry best friend after finding them digging up your freshly cut grass or even attempting to dig into carpets or floors inside your home!

While digging is a natural behavior that stems from your pup’s survival instincts, it can get a little frustrating when it’s affecting the appearance of your home.

In this article, I'll cover some sure-to-work tips to stop or control your dog’s digging!

But first, we've got to look at why dogs dig. ⏬

WHY DO DOGS DIG?

Knowing why your dog digs, is often the key to stopping them from digging!

Here are some common reasons your dog might be digging:

• Boredom
• Lack of exercise, mental & physical
• Too much freedom

So, let's dive into each one below, and of course, how to fix them. 👇

If you need extra help with training, please sign up for the 100% free class 30 Day Perfect Pup. It covers topics like leash training, recall, potty training, and even limiting your puppy’s freedom. Sign up free here! 🐶

BOREDOM CAN CAUSE DIGGING

Is your dog left alone for long periods of time throughout the day? If so, it’d be helpful to have some stimulation for them in order to distract them from digging or getting into trouble.

Related Reading: 7 Signs Your Dog is Feeling Neglected

If your dog is bored, they are more likely to try to entertain themselves.

Bored dogs can become destructive!

Here are some ideas to keep them occupied when you are not there to play and stop the digging!

• Hide and seek treat games: Hide treats around the areas of the house where your dog is allowed to go.
• Kong Wobbler toy
• Bob-a-lot Interactive Toy
• Give them a stuffed Kong with their favorite treats or peanut butter inside
• If you leave your dog in the yard, leave toys and bones around that can keep him occupied. You can even throw a handful of food out that he can search for!

Here is a more extensive list of mind and puzzle game ideas.

If you plan to be gone for more than a few hours it’s a good idea to hire a dog walker or have a neighbor or friend come by to take them on a walk or throw the ball in the yard.

This is a great way to keep them active and prevent digging!

SOMETIMES IT'S SEPARATION ANXIETY

Sometimes our dogs dig because they are anxious or nervous about being left alone! The Separation Anxiety course is perfect for pup parents that want to learn how to train their dogs to be calmer and better behaved when left alone.

Enrolling in a training program or course is a great way for you to learn how to be proactive about different habits your dog can likely develop as they grow and experience different things. Practice what you learn daily, keeping your pup engaged and keeping yourself accountable for training them.

If you need extra help with training, please sign up for the 100% free class 30 Day Perfect Pup. It covers topics like leash training, recall, potty training, and even limiting your puppy’s freedom. Sign up free here! 🐶

LACK OF EXERCISE

A tired dog is (usually) a good dog! How much exercise is your dog regularly getting?

Lack of exercise can be another cause of their digging habits. Depending on the age of your dog, you should make sure that you are giving them the right amount of time to exercise outside and even inside on a daily basis.

Walking your dog (even if it’s just a couple blocks) twice daily is a great way to help their behavior. If you have a backyard, playing a game of fetch or getting them to run around for 20 minutes per day will help!

Great ways to get your dog exercising more are….

• Hikes
• Jogging with your dog
• Long walks around the neighborhood
• Games of fetch
• Tug-of-war
• Hide and seek (with or without treats depending on their motivation)
• Play dates with other doggie pals
• Kiddie pool swims

Keeping your dog interested, active, and exercised (physically and mentally) will decrease the likelihood that they have enough energy or even time to dig!

So while we mostly looked at physical exercise, don't discount mental exercise and enrichment!

Here are some mental exercise ideas:

• Snuffle mats and other foraging toys
• Lick mats
• Frozen Kongs
• Decompression walks
• Hide and seek
• Cup game

Those are just a few ideas to work your dog's brain and help reduce their desire to dig!

Related Reading: Contrafreeloading & Dogs

If you need extra help with training, please sign up for the 100% free class 30 Day Perfect Pup. It covers topics like leash training, recall, potty training, and even limiting your puppy’s freedom. Sign up free here! 🐶

LACK OF SUPERVISION

We get it, you can’t have eyes on your dog at all times (even though you’d probably love to!) but if your dog is unsupervised and bored for a long period of time then they are more likely to get into destructive behavior. Giving too much freedom is at the root of so many problematic behaviors!

After putting in place the tips above, consider the following to ensure your dog stops digging!

Related Reading: Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

HOW TO STOP A DOG OR PUPPY FROM DIGGING

Getting a dog to stop digging isn't always easy, and won't happen overnight! On top of all the tips mentioned above (limiting freedom, proper exercise, avoiding boredom), here are some other things you can do to limit and hopefully stop your puppy from digging. 👇

USE CHICKEN WIRE OR FENCING

If you have a nice garden or specific area of your yard that you want to keep your dog from, it’s a good idea to block it off with some simple chicken wire or fencing. Putting this in place will prevent your dog from getting to that area and also train them not to go near it.

If your dog doesn't have access to the area where they like to dig, they can't dig. It's that simple!

So as you're working to train their impulse control, be sure to not give free access to digging-prone areas.

Related Reading: 5 Types of Enrichment for Dogs

BUILD A DIGGING PIT/BOX AREA FOR YOUR DOG

If you’d like your dog to still be able to dig, a good option is just to train them to dig in an area in which they will love to dig! Similar to the tip above, a digging put is a simple solution!

First, border off a specific area with rocks or a fence. Then go ahead and fill that area with sand or dirt, whichever your dog loves the most or what will be easiest for them to dig.

In order to train your dog to dig in the pit, start by putting some of their favorite toys hidden in the dirt. Encourage them to try and discover the toys, and reward them when they do! They will already feel a sense of excitement and reward by digging and finding their toy.

One issue that can happen when you build the digging pit is that your dog may not understand that it’s okay to dig in one place and not in the entire yard. It’s important that you avoid this by introducing the digging pit to them while they are supervised.

If they go off and try to dig elsewhere, clap and get your dog's attention over to the pit.

Redirecting them to the pit and encouraging them to dig there will help them understand that this spot is okay. If your pup isn’t interested in the pit, try hiding food or treats or putting the toys at a more shallow depth.

Again, utilizing a digging pit can be problematic but if done correctly it can teach your dog where it is or isn't okay to dig!

Here's a fun video about building a digging pit/box for your pup.

RECAP ON HOW TO TO STOP DIGGING DOGS

Training your pup to behave in acceptable ways for your home and family takes time. Be patient with your dog’s digging and remember that it is a natural and common habit.

By implementing the tips above and practicing training every day, you will be able to stop your dog’s digging in unwanted places!

Here is a quick recap of ways to stop a dog from digging 👇

• Avoid boredom
• Give adequate exercise (physical and mental)
• Train 'home alone' behaviors
• Limit your dog's freedom
• Use fencing to close off common digging areas
• Create a designated digging pit or box

How else have you been able to stop your dog from digging? Tell us in the comments below!

If you need extra help with training, please sign up for the 100% free class 30 Day Perfect Pup. It covers topics like leash training, recall, potty training, and even limiting your puppy’s freedom. Sign up free here! 🐶