How to stop your dog digging up the garden

Few things are as frustrating as finding fresh holes in a lawn or flower bed. The good news is that digging usually has a clear cause, and once you know it, you can give your dog a better outlet.

Why do dogs dig?

Boredom and excess energy

Dogs that don't get enough physical and mental exercise often find their own entertainment, and digging is rewarding in itself. Dogs Trust lists boredom, alongside anxiety and pain, as a common cause of destructive behaviour.

Instinct and breed

All dogs can dig, but some breeds were developed to work underground. Many terriers, such as Jack Russells and Border Terriers, and Dachshunds were bred to go to ground after prey, so the urge to dig can be strong.

Chasing smells and wildlife

Dogs can smell and hear moles, mice, insects and other animals under the soil. Digging in one particular area may mean something interesting lives there.

Keeping cool

On warm days some dogs dig down to the cooler soil underneath and lie in the hole.

Burying food and toys

Some dogs bury treats, chews or toys to come back to later.

Trying to get out

Digging along a fence or under a gate can be an attempt to escape. That may be because something on the other side is exciting, or because your dog is anxious or frustrated when left alone. Escaping puts your dog at risk, so deal with it straight away.

How to work out the cause

Watch where and when your dog digs. Holes along the fence line point to escape attempts. Holes in shady spots on hot afternoons point to keeping cool. Digging only when your dog is left alone outside can be a sign of boredom or distress. If the digging is new, or comes with other changes in behaviour, ask your vet to check for pain or illness first.

How to stop unwanted digging

Give your dog a place to dig

Dogs Trust suggests building a garden dig pit. Sink a sturdy container, such as a heavy-duty plastic box, into the ground so the top is level with the soil around it. Fill it with soil or dog-friendly sand, then bury a few treats or toys for your dog to find. When your dog starts digging somewhere else, calmly redirect them to the pit and praise them when they dig there.

Increase exercise and enrichment

Make sure your dog has daily walks that suit their age and breed, and time to sniff and explore. Food puzzles, scatter feeding, chews and short training sessions all use up mental energy. Reduce your dog's main meals to allow for any food used in games.

Supervise and protect key areas

Go out into the garden with your dog rather than leaving them alone there. Fence off beds you want to protect while you work on the habit.

Make your garden comfortable in hot weather

Provide shade, fresh water and a cool place to rest. On hot days, keep your dog indoors during the hottest part of the day.

Secure the boundary

If your dog digs at fences, check for gaps and make sure your boundary is secure. Work on the reason your dog wants to leave, and get help from a qualified behaviourist if your dog seems anxious when alone.

A note on bones

Some owners give bones to keep dogs busy, and buried bones are a common reason for digging. PDSA advises against giving dogs bones, raw or cooked. Bones can injure the mouth and teeth, splinter, and cause blockages in the gut. Cooked bones are the most likely to splinter. Choose a dog-safe chew instead.

What not to do

• Don't punish your dog for digging, especially after the event. Your dog won't connect the punishment with the hole, and it can make them anxious.
• Don't leave your dog alone in the garden for long periods to entertain themselves.
• Don't put anything that could harm your dog, such as chemicals or sharp objects, in holes to put them off.