What is the best way to stop a dog from digging in our back yard.?

Question

My 1 year old dog likes to dig small holes in random spots through out our back yard. I was wondering what is the best way to stop this habit.

Answer 1

Dogs are natural diggers and a way to train the dog that might help is to create an area, maybe a small sandbox, where you can bury a treat and take your dog there and tell it to "Dig treat" or something like that. At first you might have to show him and sort of help. Keep doing this but at the same time tell the dog "no" if it digs any where else and if you see it digging elsewhere you can squirt it with a water bottle or do a loud hand clap, whatever stops the dog immediately from the dig.
Over time you can train it to that spot.
Dogs dig for lots of reasons. If outdoors in winter they dig thinking "I will make myself a den" or in summer they dig to make a cooler space to lay. They dig to try and escape, they dig to bury goodies.
Eliminate reasons to dig, like having good shelter in summer or winter or bad weather. Give your dog plenty of attention and take it for walks daily to offset digging for escapist reasons based on boredom or desire to be around other dogs and take your dog to a dog park on a regular basis or to a friends yard or have friends over with their dogs so yours can socialize with the "pack". Try the training with the sandbox to eliminate other digging.

Answer 2

Most dogs will dig because they are bored. Take the dog for a walk once a day and if possible two a day would work better. You can also break the dog from digging by throwing water balloons at the ground beside him as he digs and say No Dig. Don't hit the dog with the balloon. You should also give him things to play with that will keep him busy when you can't be there. Good luck and enjoy your pet.

Answer 3

I had the same problem but with a much older dog. He never dug until we re-landscaped our yard. He had a few favorite spots that he liked to dig, one paticularily was in my flower garden. I found that if I sprinkled Cayenne Pepper generously in those areas, he woudn't dig. The only thing hard about doing this was it had to be done about everyother day until he gave up. (He gave up in about a weeks time). Be aware that when they dig in that spot they can get discomfort in their eyes from the pepper and my dog would even sneeze. This trick worked really well in breaking my dog from digging. It is more cost effective to buy the Cayenne pepper from a dollar store instead of a regular grocery store. Good luck!

Answer 4

This worked for me but it is kinda gross… put poop in the holes. Every time you see a new hole put a bit of the dogs poop in it. I have three diggers and this worked after about two weeks.
However the true symptom of my dog’s digging was boredom. They only started digging because I wasn’t able to walk them as much as I did after my work schedule changed. I did give the digging a quick fix with the poop method (which was advice from another crazy dog lady) but they then turned to chewing and incessant barking! So I really recommend making sure you are spending as much time as you can exercising your dogs. This helps wear them out, get you healthier, and build the bond between you and your pets! Hope this helps you and your yard ;)

Answer 5

Your dog is bored to death that's why he is digging holes in the yard. Get him plenty of play toys to keep him busy. He will love you for it. Take him out for long walks & just play with him more yourself. He'll do better and will be a happier dog.

Answer 6

Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs, but may occur for widely varying reasons. Your dog may be: seeking entertainment seeking comfort or protection seeking escape seeking prey seeking attention Dogs don't dig, however, out of spite, revenge or a desire to destroy your yard. Finding ways to make the area where the dog digs unappealing may be effective, however, it's likely that he'll just begin digging in other locations or display other unacceptable behavior, such as chewing or barking. A more effective approach is to address the cause of the digging, rather than creating location aversions. Seeking Entertainment Dogs may dig as a form of self-play when they learn that roots and soil "play back." Your dog may be digging for entertainment if: He's left alone in the yard for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction with you His environment is relatively barren, without playmates or toys He's a puppy or adolescent (under three years old) and doesn't have other outlets for his energy He's the type of dog (like a terrier) that is bred to dig as part of his "job" He's a particularly active type of dog (like the herding or sporting breeds) who needs an active job to be happy He's recently seen you "playing" in the dirt (gardening or working in the yard) Recommendations: We recommend expanding your dog's world and increasing his "people time" the following ways: Walk your dog regularly. It's good exercise, mentally and physically, for both of you! Teach your dog to fetch a ball or Frisbee and practice with him as often as possible. Teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks. Practice these commands/tricks every day for five to ten minutes. Take an obedience class with your dog and practice daily what you've learned. Keep interesting toys in the yard to keep your dog busy even when you're not around (Kong-type toys filled with treats or busy-box toys). Rotating the toys makes them seem new and interesting. For dedicated diggers, provide an "acceptable digging area." Choose an area of the yard where it's okay for your dog to dig and cover the area with loose soil or sand. If you catch your dog digging in an unacceptable area, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise, say, "no dig" and take the dog to his designated digging area. When he digs in the approved spot, reward him with praise. Make the unacceptable digging spots unattractive (at least temporarily) by setting sharp rocks or chicken wire into the dirt. Seeking Prey Dogs may try to pursue burrowing animals or insects that live in your yard. Your dog may be pursuing prey if:

Answer 7

the thing that i do is put some of their poop in the holes so when he tries to dig again he will stop because it smells like poop. i have golden retrievers and they are natorius diggers and i stopped them from digging by putting poop in the holes and they stopped. so they thought that every where they would try to dig it smelled like poop, so they stopped. try that and see if that will help, plus it helps so you don't have to pick it up and put it in the garbage it will go in a hole and then break down in the ground. good luck.

Answer 8

The sandbox is my favorite method - I have had success with it in the past. Here's some other ideas you may be able to try: http://www.dog-obedience-training-review.com/how-to-stop-dogs-from-digging.html

Good luck with it.

Answer 9

clip the dogs nails so he cannot dig

Answer 10

Give him his own sand box, or sand pile..and hide toys and chews in it..
You can get sand, by the bag, at any garden center..