Digging
"Dogs dig because they are dogs" - Alex Antoniazzi
Source: Adrienne Farricelli, Canva
Why dogs dig:
Digging is natural. This behaviour dates back to their wild ancestors. In fact, some dogs were actually bred for their ability to dig holes and flush out prey.
Sometimes dogs will dig their beds, the carpet or the couch simply because this behaviour helps them relax and makes the area more familiar. Dogs have scent glands on their paws. And they may dig a particular area to add their scent, making it more personal. It is for this reason that you may often find that after you wash your dog’s bed, they dig in it. This is because your dog prefers their natural odour to the floral scents that we find appealing.
Domestic dogs dig for a multitude of reasons. Some common reasons are:
- Because it feels good.
- Digging helps your dog overcome stress, anxiety and boredom.
- To build a nice cool spot to lie in
- To escape from a particular area, like a fenced-in yard.
- To bury things that they want to save for later.
- To hunt for prey like Bugs, worms, vermin and other subterranean creatures.
Solutions for digging
Digging in the garden is a good way to let your dog relax and be a dog. However, there may be times when the digging can become problematic, especially if your dog is digging and destroying relic pipes, or making holes in your vegetable patch or near the fence.
The first step is to identify the drive behind the digging. To do this, it's essential to consider when it happens, what kind of holes they dig, where they dig, and what they do with the hole after its dug.
Putting the digging on cue allows you to redirect it to a more appropriate place.
Digging a Bed:
These holes are usually dug during warmer weather. They are broader and shallower, and are often located in a nice, cool, shady spot.
A raised mesh bed that allows airflow from underneath can be placed over the old pit or in a cool, shady spot to deter your dog from digging there.
Digging out of boredom, fear, stress or anxiety:
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Typically, this will appear as multiple tiny holes in the garden, scattered randomly, and is often more prevalent when you’re away from the house or when they're dealing with a stressful situation. It is sometimes coupled with other behaviours, such as inappropriate chewing, destruction, and vocalising.
More enrichent, and creating a sensory area in your backyard for your dog can help them cope better and improve their overall well-being. Click the image to learn how. It's also essential to address the cause of their anxiety
Digging for prey
Burying treasure
This behaviour goes back to dogs' wild ancestors, who would go through periods of feast and famine. They would often bury the extra food to protect it from scavengers and then dig it up later. Our dog's tendency to do this is similar to stocking the refrigerator. Click the image to learn more.
Adjust the frequency and amounts of food and bones your dog is receiving. Remove bones after a while and return them the next day. (Train this correctly to avoid resource guarding.)
If your dog experiences a sense of food insecurity due to the presence of other animals, provide them with their meals in a calm, safe space.
Digging to escape:
Some dogs dig because they have learnt that this is a way out of the back yard. The first step in dealing with this is to create an escape proof fence. Click the image to learn more.
While effective management is the only guaranteed solution in this situation, reach out to a qualified trainer like myself for support since this is often the symptom of a much bigger issue.
