How to stop your dog from digging?

Updated 11/12/2023

Why do dogs dig? The simple answer is that dogs are natural diggers. From when they're puppies, they instinctively start to explore their surroundings by digging in the dirt. As they get older, this behavior often continues as a way to entertain themselves or relieve boredom. While it can be cute to see your dog bury his bone or dig a hole in the backyard, this behavior can also be frustrating and destructive if it starts happening inside the house or yard.

Being a pet parent or even a pet sitter, you should be able to answer the question, "Why do dogs dig holes?" and know how to stop them from doing so. At TrustedHousesitters – a pet-loving community that's starry-eyed for animals – we've taken our time to write this article that not only explains the why but also the how. Read on and learn how to help your furry friend to stop digging!

Understanding the digging behavior

The first step in helping your dog is to understand why he's doing it. There are several reasons why dogs might start digging, and each one will require a different approach to deterring the behavior. While some of the reasons might be relatively harmless, like boredom or wanting to bury a toy, others can be more serious, like trying to escape from home.

Once you've determined why your dog is digging, you can start to address the behavior. First, it's essential to understand that stopping your dog from digging will be a process – it won't happen overnight. You'll need to be patient and consistent with your efforts if you want to see results.

Why do dogs dig holes?

Boredom

Boredom is one of the most common reasons why dogs start digging. If your dog is left alone for long periods, he may begin to dig in an attempt to entertain himself.

Curbing the behavior:

There are a few things that you can do to ensure your pup is never bored. One of the simplest is to provide them with plenty of toys and activities to keep them occupied. This could include giving them chew toys such as thick rope toys , playing fetch, or taking them for an extra-long walk to tire them out if you need to leave them home alone for a couple of hours. Using puzzle feeders or stuffed Kong toys can also help alleviate boredom. Toy rotation can keep toys interesting, meaning your dog will play with the toys that are brought out again for longer.

Stress or anxiety

Dogs may start digging when they're feeling stressed or anxious, often as a way to try to escape from the situation.

Curbing the behavior:

If your dog feels stressed, it's crucial to determine what's causing the stress and work to reduce it. This could mean changing your routine or taking them to new doggy parks to socialize with other dogs. If you suspect anxiety to be the root cause, consult with a behaviorist who can help you address the underlying issue – Vet Advice Line is a 24/7 service included in your TrustedHousesitters membership that allows you to speak to a veterinary nurse while on a sit. Also, be sure to read our expert guide about six ways to calm an anxious dog to get some inspiration!

Hunting instincts

Some dogs start digging because of their natural hunting instincts. They may see the act of digging as a way to catch prey. For instance, a dog may begin digging when he sees a small animal like a mouse or rabbit burrow underground.

Curbing the behavior:

One way to curb the behavior is to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise and play. This will help to tire the dog out and minimize the chances of getting worked up over potential prey. You can also try training your dog with a command like "Leave it!" or "No!" to get them to stop digging on cue.

Some people choose to allow digging but only in a certain area of the garden such as a sand or dirt box. This can be a good compromise between keeping your house and garden looking neat, and allowing your dog to express their normal behaviors. 

Temperature regulation

High temperatures can cause dogs to start digging in an attempt to cool themselves down. Likewise, cold weather can prompt dogs to dig tunnels to keep warm.

Curbing the behavior:

You can adjust their environment to make it more comfortable for your pup. This could mean providing them with a cozy igloo bed to snuggle up into when it's cold, or bringing them inside and providing damp towels when it's too hot outside. You can also put ice cubes in their water bowl on hot days.

Storing food and objects

Some dogs may start digging to store food or objects. This is often seen in puppies who are still learning about their environment.

You can try to deter this behavior by keeping your dog's living space tidy. You can also try to provide them with a designated area where they can dig, like a sandbox in the yard. If your pooch has been caught digging, try to distract or redirect them as soon as possible, and put whatever they've hidden back in its place.

How to stop a dog from digging under a fence

A dog digging under the fence is a common problem that several things can cause. Some dogs may do it because they're bored or as a way to escape from a situation. Here are a few tips to help stop your dog from this unwanted behavior:

Secure the fence

Make sure it's properly secured. This means using a fence that's high enough so they can't jump over it and burying the base of the fence one foot into the ground so that they can't dig underneath.

Avoid putting your dog on a tether in the garden if they like to try to escape as accidents can happen and your dog can accidently strangle or injure themselves whilst trying to dig and escape. 

Create an unappealing environment

There are different ways to make the environment less appealing. This could mean covering the bottom of the fence with rocks or spraying the ground with a citrus-scented deterrent. 

Why do dogs dig in bed?

The question, "Why do dogs dig in their bed?" is a common one, as this behavior can be both frustrating and perplexing. Some dogs start digging in bed because they're bored or anxious, while others may do it out of instinctual behavior to make the place comfortable before laying down (which, adorable as it may be to watch, isn’t ideal). Here are a few tips to help stop your dog from digging in bed:

Trim their nails

Sharp nails can easily damage bedding and furniture so keep them nice and short to avoid damage. 

Invest in a durable dog bed

Consider investing in a durable dog bed that will stand up to scratching or digging. This could mean a bed with a sturdy frame and a cover that's resistant to tears and scratches.

Provide plenty of exercise

A tired dog is less likely to be bored and destructive. Make sure your pup is actively exercising, both mentally and physically.

Try to distract them

If you catch your dog digging in bed, try to redirect them to another activity, such as fetching a ball or distracting them with another toy. Positive reinforcement is key, so be sure to reward them when they stop so they know not to continue this behavior in future.

Positive reinforcement 

Sometimes we dont let dogs know enough when we are happy that they are doing something we would like. When your dog is not digging on the bed, try to give positive praise or a small treat to let them know you are happy with their behavior.

Strategies to stop your dog's digging behavior

Dogs can be quite ingenious when it comes to digging things up and escaping their yard. If you are wondering how to stop dogs from digging, here's what you can do to help stop this behavior:

• Train your pup and practice the commands daily
• Reward good behavior
• Provide plenty of toys and activities to keep them busy when you're not around
• Distract them immediately when they start digging
• Adjust their environment to make it more comfortable for them
• Walk them at least once daily
• Become a member of TrustedHousesitters' pet-loving community to find kind, verified pet sitters to care for your pooch when you're not around.

If your question is now no longer about "how to stop a dog from digging," but you're feeling pumped up and confident to do so, then congratulations! You have learned enough from this article to help deter your dog's digging behavior.

Meet our veterinary expert, Corinne

This article has been checked by veterinarian Corinne Wigfall BVMBVS(Hons) BVMedSci(Hons). Corinne is originally from Wales and moved to New Zealand after graduating university. She started her career with a university based equine internship and moved onto mixed and small animal practice. Currently she splits her time between online tele triage and working in an after hours vet clinic.

Gain your dog's trust

Are you having some trouble with your pet's behavior? Trust is key in a successful pet-parent relationship, and we want to help you build that trust. To learn more, read our recent guide about 10 winning ways to gain a dog's trust.