I dig my dog...except when my dog digs!

Dogs dig. It's part of what makes them a dog! It's also a source of frustration for human companions when the yard begins to resemble swiss cheese. So what's the scoop; why do dogs find it necessary to ruin a perfectly manicured lawn (or just a regular old yard, like mine)?

There are multiple reasons for why a dog may dig holes in your yard; temperature regulation, prey drive, anxiety, or - you guessed it - boredom. The key is to figure out the reason your dog is digging; only then can you figure out how to deter the behavior from continuing. The best way to figure out what your dog is trying to accomplish when digging is to provide ways for you dog to fulfill the above needs, and see what is lacking.

For example, to rule out temperature regulation as a reason your dog is digging, put out a small pool of water for your dog to lay in, and make sure your dog has access to shade and water during warm weather. When dogs are hot, they may dig holes to lay in, as the dirt is cool and moist.

Prey drive is a little tougher. If you have moles or other rodents in your yard, your dog will have a natural instinct to hunt them out. Hiding treats around your yard for your dog to sniff out can help fulfill the need to seek out prey, though the behavior can be difficult to completely curb.

Anxiety-driven dogs can require much work to become calmer and stop unnecessary and destructive behaviors, which we won't address in this article, but one of the best ways to reduce digging by anxious dogs is to make sure your dog has plenty of things to distract him in the yard. Things like pressed rawhides to chew on, puzzles to solve, or treat-dispensing food balls can give your dog productive ways to expend his energy in your yard. These methods are also useful for bored dogs who dig.

Another important factor in stopping your dog from digging up your entire yard is physical exercise; make sure your dog has adequate exercise to expend their physical energy as well!

As always, if you would like to contact me you can do so by emailing me at patti@doggieeinstein.com, or check out Doggie Einstein on Facebook and enter into the Discussion Panel.