HOW TO SOLVE DIGGING PROBLEMS
By: Ruben Castro, Dog Behaviorist and Trainer
www.kbdoglearningcenter.com
As a dog trainer and behaviorist, I feel that not too many people know or understand dog psychology. Therefore, I will be focusing my articles more on dog behavior.
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
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- seeking prey
- seeking attention
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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)
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