Nearly everything a canine does is an expression of his instinct, or a reflection of something he learned through experience. For example, some are driven to chase rodents. This is part of their prey instinct. Other dogs display a fear of men that stems from past abuse. Still other animals might beg for food because they have learned that doing so is effective. Like these behaviors, digging is also driven by instinct or environment. Owners who want to discourage the habit must determine the reasons their pets are doing it in the first place.
Below, we'll describe the most common factors that prompt canines to dig. Each requires a different approach to curb the behavior.
Digging To Escape
Dogs are often driven to dig as the result of fear, stress, or a motivation to mate with other canines. For example, many animals are frightened by thunderstorms; they look for ways to escape in order to get away from the source of their fear. Others may suffer from separation anxiety; they attempt to escape in order to find their owners. Still other dogs (typically, intact males) are driven to escape to find female canines that are in heat.
If a dog is left alone in a yard surrounded by a high fence, digging may be his only way to get out. This is one of the reasons to install fencing a few inches below the ground's surface.
Digging For Entertainment
Dogs often become bored after hours spent by themselves. If they lack stimulation in the environment to which they are confined, they sometimes dig in order to find it elsewhere. In many cases, the act of digging itself provides entertainment, as do the roots and bugs uncovered in the process.
Digging To Uncover Prey
Most canines have a natural prey drive, though it is stronger in some than others. (For instance, Terriers have been bred to hone this instinct.) An animal with a particularly strong prey drive will be inclined to dig when he is left alone.
This usually occurs because the dog has picked up the scent of a rodent or other small animal that is burrowed underground. He digs in order to uncover and catch it.
Digging For A Cool Place To Rest
On especially warm days, canines often dig to find cool soil on which they can lie. The soil under the top layer of dirt provides a respite from the heat. Dogs are susceptible to overheating to the point of suffering heat stroke if they are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.
How To Discourage Your Pet From Digging
We mentioned that various triggers for this behavior require different training approaches. If the wrong approach is used, the outcome will be unsuccessful. For example, if your pet's digging stems from separation anxiety, it does little good to give him a cool place to rest. With this in mind, the following suggestions address specific reasons your canine digs.
If your pet is trying to escape his environment due to fear or stress, desensitization training is necessary. This approach seeks to lessen the impact of whatever stimulus is provoking the fear or stress. If his attempt to escape is driven by a need to mate, have him neutered (or spayed, if your dog is female).
Canines that dig out of boredom should be given more daily exercise as well as a few toys. Increasing the physical activity and mental stimulation your pet receives will make him less inclined to spend energy digging for entertainment.
Digging that results from a prey drive is difficult to address since the instinct is deeply ingrained in many breeds. The help of a behavioral specialist may prove useful. You can also take steps to minimize the access other animals have to your yard, though this too may be difficult.
Lastly, if your dog digs to uncover cool soil on which he can rest, provide him with a doghouse that offers plenty of ventilation. Place it in an area that receives shade.
Canine digging can be frustrating, especially if you care about the appearance of your yard and garden. Identify the factors prompting the behavior in your pet before taking steps to discourage it.
Below, we'll describe the most common factors that prompt canines to dig. Each requires a different approach to curb the behavior.
Digging To Escape
Dogs are often driven to dig as the result of fear, stress, or a motivation to mate with other canines. For example, many animals are frightened by thunderstorms; they look for ways to escape in order to get away from the source of their fear. Others may suffer from separation anxiety; they attempt to escape in order to find their owners. Still other dogs (typically, intact males) are driven to escape to find female canines that are in heat.
If a dog is left alone in a yard surrounded by a high fence, digging may be his only way to get out. This is one of the reasons to install fencing a few inches below the ground's surface.
Digging For Entertainment
Dogs often become bored after hours spent by themselves. If they lack stimulation in the environment to which they are confined, they sometimes dig in order to find it elsewhere. In many cases, the act of digging itself provides entertainment, as do the roots and bugs uncovered in the process.
Digging To Uncover Prey
Most canines have a natural prey drive, though it is stronger in some than others. (For instance, Terriers have been bred to hone this instinct.) An animal with a particularly strong prey drive will be inclined to dig when he is left alone.
This usually occurs because the dog has picked up the scent of a rodent or other small animal that is burrowed underground. He digs in order to uncover and catch it.
Digging For A Cool Place To Rest
On especially warm days, canines often dig to find cool soil on which they can lie. The soil under the top layer of dirt provides a respite from the heat. Dogs are susceptible to overheating to the point of suffering heat stroke if they are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods.
How To Discourage Your Pet From Digging
We mentioned that various triggers for this behavior require different training approaches. If the wrong approach is used, the outcome will be unsuccessful. For example, if your pet's digging stems from separation anxiety, it does little good to give him a cool place to rest. With this in mind, the following suggestions address specific reasons your canine digs.
If your pet is trying to escape his environment due to fear or stress, desensitization training is necessary. This approach seeks to lessen the impact of whatever stimulus is provoking the fear or stress. If his attempt to escape is driven by a need to mate, have him neutered (or spayed, if your dog is female).
Canines that dig out of boredom should be given more daily exercise as well as a few toys. Increasing the physical activity and mental stimulation your pet receives will make him less inclined to spend energy digging for entertainment.
Digging that results from a prey drive is difficult to address since the instinct is deeply ingrained in many breeds. The help of a behavioral specialist may prove useful. You can also take steps to minimize the access other animals have to your yard, though this too may be difficult.
Lastly, if your dog digs to uncover cool soil on which he can rest, provide him with a doghouse that offers plenty of ventilation. Place it in an area that receives shade.
Canine digging can be frustrating, especially if you care about the appearance of your yard and garden. Identify the factors prompting the behavior in your pet before taking steps to discourage it.
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