Owners usually find their dogs' digging irritating, especially when the behavior is directed toward well-maintained gardens or carefully-manicured lawns. Given enough time, a motivated dog can turn a beautiful yard into a pock-marked minefield.
The first reaction many owners have is to restrict their canines' access to their yards, believing that doing so will solve the issue. In many cases, it will not since it fails to address the underlying reason the animal is digging in the first place. Given this, how can you discourage your pet from destroying your yard? The first and most important step is to determine the trigger for the behavior.
In this article, we'll explain the most common reasons canines dig. You may discover your pet's behavior is due to factors that are different than those you assumed to be the case. Once you have identified the trigger, you can take steps to curb, or modify, the behavior.
Common Reasons Dogs Dig
First, it's important to underscore that nearly everything your dog does is based on instinct or a learned behavior. This includes his responses to your commands and any behavioral problems he displays. Whether your pet begs for food, jumps on people, acts aggressively, or digs, he is doing so as a result of instinct or environment.
There are several potential motives for digging. For example, your canine may be trying to escape his surroundings. This might be the case if he is frightened, or wants to explore the world outside your fence.
Your pet may be bored. This is common with dogs that are left alone during the day. Lacking toys and other distractions to occupy his attention, he might dig to play with the bugs and roots he finds underneath the topsoil. Here, his motivation is to find mental stimulation.
Canines also dig in pursuit of prey. Your pet may see a squirrel or other rodent in the yard, and give chase. If the rodent scurries over or under the fence, your dog may try to follow.
Another motivation for digging is to find comfort from the heat. In warm climates, canines often become hot, and look for a cool place to rest. Many will dig in order to find cool, moist soil on which to lie.
Dogs occasionally dig because they suffer from separation anxiety. They loathe being separated from their owners. When left alone, they dig in order to escape and be reunited with them.
Note that each of these issues represent different triggers, despite all of them resulting in the same behavior. For this reason, it is critical to determine why your pet is digging to have any hope of success in curbing the tendency.
Steps To Modify Your Pet's Digging Behavior
Some triggers are simpler to address than others. For instance, if your dog is digging in order to roam, have him neutered. If he has already been neutered, make sure he has plenty of toys to provide a mentally-stimulating environment.
If your pet is bored, give him more exercise. Many owners find that taking their canines for two or three walks each day helps their pets burn off energy that would otherwise be devoted to digging.
If your dog is chasing prey, try to limit other animals' and rodents' access to your yard. When this is not possible, consider installing a wire mesh beneath your fence to discourage your pet from digging.
If your canine is trying to escape the heat, provide a well-ventilated doghouse to which he can retreat. Place it in a shady spot to help keep the interior cool and comfortable.
Separation anxiety is one of the most difficult behavioral problems to address. Desensitization training is usually necessary. By downplaying your arrivals and departures, and rewarding independence, you can gradually desensitize your pet to your absence. Keep in mind, it is a long process that requires significant patience.
Digging can be frustrating. To successfully curb the behavior, identify and address the reason your canine is doing it in the first place.
The first reaction many owners have is to restrict their canines' access to their yards, believing that doing so will solve the issue. In many cases, it will not since it fails to address the underlying reason the animal is digging in the first place. Given this, how can you discourage your pet from destroying your yard? The first and most important step is to determine the trigger for the behavior.
In this article, we'll explain the most common reasons canines dig. You may discover your pet's behavior is due to factors that are different than those you assumed to be the case. Once you have identified the trigger, you can take steps to curb, or modify, the behavior.
Common Reasons Dogs Dig
First, it's important to underscore that nearly everything your dog does is based on instinct or a learned behavior. This includes his responses to your commands and any behavioral problems he displays. Whether your pet begs for food, jumps on people, acts aggressively, or digs, he is doing so as a result of instinct or environment.
There are several potential motives for digging. For example, your canine may be trying to escape his surroundings. This might be the case if he is frightened, or wants to explore the world outside your fence.
Your pet may be bored. This is common with dogs that are left alone during the day. Lacking toys and other distractions to occupy his attention, he might dig to play with the bugs and roots he finds underneath the topsoil. Here, his motivation is to find mental stimulation.
Canines also dig in pursuit of prey. Your pet may see a squirrel or other rodent in the yard, and give chase. If the rodent scurries over or under the fence, your dog may try to follow.
Another motivation for digging is to find comfort from the heat. In warm climates, canines often become hot, and look for a cool place to rest. Many will dig in order to find cool, moist soil on which to lie.
Dogs occasionally dig because they suffer from separation anxiety. They loathe being separated from their owners. When left alone, they dig in order to escape and be reunited with them.
Note that each of these issues represent different triggers, despite all of them resulting in the same behavior. For this reason, it is critical to determine why your pet is digging to have any hope of success in curbing the tendency.
Steps To Modify Your Pet's Digging Behavior
Some triggers are simpler to address than others. For instance, if your dog is digging in order to roam, have him neutered. If he has already been neutered, make sure he has plenty of toys to provide a mentally-stimulating environment.
If your pet is bored, give him more exercise. Many owners find that taking their canines for two or three walks each day helps their pets burn off energy that would otherwise be devoted to digging.
If your dog is chasing prey, try to limit other animals' and rodents' access to your yard. When this is not possible, consider installing a wire mesh beneath your fence to discourage your pet from digging.
If your canine is trying to escape the heat, provide a well-ventilated doghouse to which he can retreat. Place it in a shady spot to help keep the interior cool and comfortable.
Separation anxiety is one of the most difficult behavioral problems to address. Desensitization training is usually necessary. By downplaying your arrivals and departures, and rewarding independence, you can gradually desensitize your pet to your absence. Keep in mind, it is a long process that requires significant patience.
Digging can be frustrating. To successfully curb the behavior, identify and address the reason your canine is doing it in the first place.
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