A dog digging holes in the backyard can be frustrating.
Today, discover three main reasons why your dog digs, and how to handle those issues.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to encourage your dog to enjoy her whole free yard.
Show Highlights
Do you ever ask if yourself or think – why does my dog dig in the backyard?!
Dogs dig in specific areas generally – for example – underneath the deck of your house.
When your dog is digging, you have to figure out why she is doing so. If you don’t, you will try to correct something that has nothing at all to do with the actual reason why they are digging and will be giving attention instead of correction.
Bennie believes in three main “H” reasons as to why your dog digs in the yard.
Hunting – your dog is hunting for mall creatures in your yard. Your dog could also be digging to get out of the fenced yard or to get away from something. You will have to find a way to take the “hunt” portion of the situation away from your dog. Your goal is for you dog to want to stay in the yard and no longer want to leave.
Health – Dogs would dig to obtain a cooler spot to lay in on a hot day – such as underneath a deck area. Dogs may also bury treats, food or high value toys. If your dog is burying food, they are either too hungry because they need to save the food in their minds or they are too full. If they are burying the toys, it is because they don’t want other dogs to have them. Dogs have a natural instinct to make things like their toys smell like them because they are in their environment. This is a natural instinct. To correct his type of behavior, Bennie suggests to use the redirect method with your dog. Shorten their time alone in the yard. Do not overfeed your dog nor underfeed them.
Happiness – This behavior is more about boredom. It can be that once they started digging they found it fun and something to do in the backyard. To discourage this type of behavior Bennie recommends to redirect. You may be also use correction. For example: build or buy a sand box and encourage your dog to dig in it. This will reinforce that this is their area to dig and you are not correcting them in the process. you can place their toys in the sand box and it teaches them that this is their designated areas to dig.
Bennie encourages you to spend more time with your dog and keep them occupied and busy.
Homework
If your dog is digging because they are searching or hunting for something, you will want to correct this as soon as possible. You want to encourage your dog to enjoy their yard in different ways other than digging – even in the event of boredom. You want to teach them to enjoy their outdoors area.
Be aware of what your dog is hunting for. For example, Bennie has an abundance of cats that hang around his house and drive Oz crazy. So he read up online and made a citrus concoction to detour the cats, which has calmed Oz.
Do some research on how to get rid of the critter in your yard that your dog is hunting.
When you are in your back yard with your dog, keep your leash on her. In episode 56, 57 and 58—Three Rules for the Off-Leash Dog—Bennie speaks about what to do in case you are unable to reach and correct your dog while she are digging.
If your dog is outside digging and you catch them in the act, do a quick correction and remove them from the situation.
If you walk outside and your dog runs away because she knows she will be corrected, give a “no” and about 30 seconds later remove the dog from the area—be mindful this may be turned into a game with your dog and you will be giving attention to a negative action.
Work with your dog outside.
Keep your yard clean so they have an area that is meant for them to play in and not get bored.
Create your backyard with positive events and reinforcements so your dog can feel that it is their yard and be comfortable so that they want to spend time outside and behave.
Call to Action
Go to FamilyDogFusion.com/insurance to check out Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Get In Touch
Check out our show page in iTunes to leave comments and subscribe or send us a message.
Leave a Reply