How can I stop my dog from digging holes?

Question

My dog keeps digging right by the fence and just leaves. I dont know if its because the other dog we had got lost, but she keeps trying to make holes so she can leave... If you have any ideas on how to stop her from digging or at least to keep her from leaving because we have to run out and look for her almost everyday

Answer 1

Keep her nails cut...digging is a sign that her claws are too long and bothering her, there may also be a bone burried there, try mothballs the scent will keep her away..

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Address the issue. Why is your dog digging holes? Is she being left alone outside? If so, this is problem number one. Bring her inside and he won't dig under the fence any more. If you can't do this, then rehome the dog with someone who can provide proper supervision.

Once the dog has been moved inside, fix the holes by using chicken wire, bricks, concrete, or whatever it takes. Then, never allow your dog outside unsupervised.

Never hit your dog, as suggested a couple posts up. This will make the dog want to get away from you even more. And DO NOT use a electronic collar or any junk like this. These are cruel.

What kind of dog is it? Is it a breed known for digging? If so, then training may be only so much help. Dogs like Dachshunds and Beagles (and lots of others) are known diggers. Trying to solve this behaviour in these types of breeds is like asking a Sheltie not to bark or a Bloodhound not to sniff the floor.

Is she fixed? If not, get her fixed ASAP.

Does she get enough attention? Try spending more time playing with her and walking her. A tired dog is less destructive.

Good luck to you and I hope that you are able to work this out. : )

Answer 4

I went through this very problem in the spring when we moved into our new place. Our Lola loves to dig holes and our last lawn took a beating. We tried standing there watching her every minute but that did not work because she likes to spend an hour or two playing outside and it was not practical to stand there every minute. We tried spraying her with a water bottle and yelling at her when she dug holes, she did not care, as soon as we turned our backs she dig more holes. Someone told me that a dog will not dig up their own poop. We tried barrying her poop in the places where she dug holes and she would still dig it up. When we finally moved my husband fenced a special part of the lawn just for the dogs to have as their own. She was free to dig holes all day long if she liked. Then she dug under he fence and ran away, luckily I was there and caught her. We first tried putting wood pieces under the fence, she ate them. Then we tried chicken wire which was ugly looking and she pulled it apart. It was like she was having fun with it. So we dug underneath the chainlink fence and put a cement block under the clain link fence and barried it. This way she can dig but if she digs under the fence line she will hit the concrete brick and not be able to escape. It worked wonders. If you did not want to do all the digging up and barrying yourself you could just put the bricks flush against the fence. I barried mine for cosmetic reasons. I should mention that nail length is not a reason that my dog ever dug holes. She has her nails done at the groomer and she is walked on pavement regularly so her nails are short. Some dogs dig because they are lacking exercise but I walk my dog everyday and she still likes to dig holes. Are you walking her daily? I think it is unlikely she is looking for her friend, I do not think that dog brains work like that. She might be bored because her friend is gone or she might just like to dig holes. Good luck. You might want to think about getting her microchipped just incase she does run away again.

Answer 5

One - as someone else said, dogs can't dig through wire mesh. Lay it flat on the ground up next to the fence so it covers the ground from the fence to about two meters into the yard. Peg it down firmly. The grass still grows up through it but she can't dig through it. Easy, simple, foolproof.
Two - make her a sandpit where she is actively encouraged to dig. Make clearly defined large borders around it so there is no difficulty for her in seeing where she can and can't dig. Bury bones in the sand to encourage her to dig there. If you see her digging somewhere apart from the sandpit, rush out of the door shrieking in a deep voice. Do NOT chase her around the yard to punish her, but startle her so she stops digging. Then be calm, call her to the sandpit and encourage her to dig there.

Digging is important for dogs. It keeps them busy and fulfills a mental program they have. So let her dig, but make sure it's in the right spot.

Answer 6

I know it looks tacky, but line ur fence with bricks... this way he/she cant get under the fence to dig, also, immediatly when u see him digging, tell him to stop, and threaten him sumhow(not meanly, my dogs are affraid of flyswatters'we never used them on them or anything' they are scared of the sound they make.... so we say "Im gonna get the flyswatter"" so find sumtin that u can "Threaten" him with.. also. if u find her digging dont reward her with a anykind of treat, if she is outside and not digging, and them u have him come in the house.. or just stay outside if she's an outside dog, give her a treat, but if u find her digging be harsh and make her stopm but dont give him a treat.. but to make sure he doesnt get out just put bricks or other cement blocks everywhere along the fence

Answer 7

some dogs dig because it is thier nature some dig because they are very bored. try some frisby throws and more excercise and some really safe long lasting chews to keep him busy.once the digging starts its hard to break. just get more excercise and pay more attention to the dog. he gets your attention by getting out and u having to go find him. this is his little game so find other ways to give him the much needed attention and rewards for good behavior

Answer 8

hi,
there are a couple of things you could try citronella oil used in torchres and burners, make a border around you property with that dogs hate the smell and will stay away from it , another good ol trick bit gross though fill the holes she has dug with her poo, i can almost garantee she will do it once and not again, but it sound like she is greiving ,and does not feel she belongs to a "pack" for her to be running off, but deffinatly try citronella oil i found i had to re-aply about every 5-7 days if it didnt rain, for about 2 weeks. good luck

Answer 9

I have 3 methods that always work that someone reccomended to me a while ago. They may sound a little mean but they work!!!1: If your dog hates the water, get a spray bottle and spray his face every time he digs a hole.2:When he digs a hole, roll up a news paper and tap him (a little harder but not too hard)3: After he digs a hole,stick his nose in the hole and scold him.

Answer 10

well thats what happened to my dogs, lucy and liza. i think they finally got picked up by the pound cuz they havnt come back yet... anyways, they would always dig holes (they got it from their mom). in fact, they dug so many holes that we ran out of stuff to cover them up with! i felt bad for my big dog, chip, cuz he was too big to fit through the holes. so he couldnt escape. well u could try putting wire or something all around the fence. or u could continue to round up ur dogs everyday... hope that helps!