DIGGING DOG

Dogs digging in the garden is often regarded by owners, and especially keen gardeners, as destructive behaviour and a nuisance. It is also potentially hazardous for dogs if they dig up and eat plants that are poisonous to them.

So how do we stop it?

Let’s check first why Fido is doing it, because if we can work that out, it could give us a headstart fixing it?

For example, is he is digging because he is trying to get out of the garden to get to someone (perhaps there is a bitch in season in the area), or is he not used to being confined. Perhaps he is bored, or maybe even anxious.  Could he be digging the earth over to make himself a nice cool patch to lie.

Rectify the reason for digging, and the problem may be solved.

But maybe it’s because he’s a dog and that’s what dogs do sometimes. He might be burying a bone or it’s because digging is a part of his hunting instinct (a characteristic of the dog he is) particularly if he is one that is bred to unearth things underground.

A characteristic cannot be cancelled out but it could be controlled with training. In much the same way as a sheepdog that has a naturel instinct to chase sheep. When controlled, the sheep are safely herded, but when not controlled chasing other animals can be life-threatening.

For those dogs who like to dig as a naturel behaviour, my solution would be to encourage digging where it is permitted (perhaps designate somewhere the dog can dig). And where it is not permitted, tell the dog, “no” or “leave” with a trained command that the dog understands that a behaviour is not permitted.

Don’t reel out a sentence - “Please stop digging in my flower beds, I’ve just planted those!” or words to that effect! He does not speak English and won’t understand.

If he has not been trained to understand a simple command of “leave”, then it’s probably best to prevent him having access to your flower beds until he is trained.

If he is trained to come when called, you could call him away from your flowerbeds and reward him for coming to you, but it’s unlikely to teach him not to return there and continue digging. Indeed, if you do call him away and reward him, he could pair that as part of the fun – I dig, I get called for a treat, I dig again. Thereby potentially increasing the desire to dig.

If you have a dog that digs and it is a problem that you would like help with, please get in touch with me.