Has your dog been digging up your lawn? If so, it’s important to remember that they don’t do this in spite or to deliberately destroy the garden. Digging is a normal, instinctive behaviour for many dogs. Dogs may be more likely to dig in some specific circumstances or for a particular reason, such as:

• Relief from boredom
• Playing
• Instinct
• Trying to escape
• Seeking protection
• Release of pent-up energy/anxiety

To address this problem, you first need to learn why your dog digs—and then implement some management strategies to address the underlying cause. Dogs left alone outside for long periods of time without opportunities for interaction, mental stimulation or exercise may be prone to digging. If the environment is barren – with no playmates or chew toys, this can also increase the risk of digging.

Dealing with digging

First, you need to check that all your dog's needs are being met:

• Exercise: walk your dog at least once daily. Insufficient exercise is a leading cause of problem behaviors.

• Company and interaction: spend time playing and interacting with your dog everyday. Teach your dog a new commands or tricks. Practice these every day for 5 to 10 minutes. Play fetch or other games together.

• Chewing needs: keep interesting chew toys in the yard to keep your dog busy when you're not around, such as 'Kong' toys filled with food treats. Rotate the toys to keep things interesting. Offer a raw meaty bone a couple of times a week – a raw bone can keep a dog occupied for a good length of time. Please see the article: What should I feed my dog? for tips on feeding raw bones.

• Shelter: in hot weather, dogs may dig holes to lie in the cool dirt. They may also dig to provide themselves with shelter from cold, wind, or rain or to find water. Provide your dog with the comfort or protection he seeks by providing your dog with a comfortable doghouse that affords protection from wind and sun. Your dog may still prefer a hole in the ground, in which case you can try providing an 'approved digging area' as described a. Make sure the allowed digging area is in a spot that's protected from the elements. Provide plenty of fresh drinking water in a bowl that can't be tipped over.

Provide an alternative ‘acceptable’ digging area

Choose an area of the yard where it's okay for your dog to dig. Make the acceptable digging area attractive by burying safe items (such as chew toys) for him to discover. If your dog digs in the ‘acceptable’ spot – reward him with lots of praise either in the form of a food treat, vocal praise (good boy!) or a stratch on the chest. If your dog starts digging in an unacceptable area, catch his attention by encouraging him to come over to the ‘acceptable’ digging area. When he comes to you and starts digging in the approved spot, reward him with lots of praise. Make the unacceptable digging spots unattractive (at least temporarily) by placing rocks or fencing around it.

Digging to escape

Dogs can also dig when trying to escape. They will usually dig along the fence-line if this is the case. Dogs may try to escape due to a number of reasons such as separation anxiety or to search for mates. Try to figure out why your dog is trying to escape, and remove those incentives. Make sure his environment is a safe, appealing place for a dog and that his needs are being met. Please see the article What can I do if my dog has separation anxiety? for further information.

Things to avoid

Regardless of the reason your dog’s digging, avoid punishing your dog. This won't address the underlying cause of the behavior, and it will likely worsen any digging that's motivated by fear or anxiety.

You should also try to avoid using fertilizers that are likely to attract your dog make them more likely to dig (blood and bone is especially attractive to dogs). Digging up your newly planted potatoes is not just annoying for you, but can be dangerous for your dog if he consumes large amounts of fertilizer (see What garden dangers should I protect my pet from?).

Next steps

If you've tried the recommended strategies and you still can't solve your dog's digging problem, keep him indoors with you and supervise him during toilet breaks in the yard. We also recommend that you consult a veterinary behavioural specialist.