How To Stop A Dog From Digging [Under the Fence and Elsewhere]

Quick Summary

• An effective way to stop a dog from digging is to catch him in the act and then getting his attention through a loud noise such as clapping your hands. As he looks, say “no.”
• It is also effective to take your dog to a spot where he can actually dig so he learns that that is his spot.
• A dog will dig for several reasons such as an attempt to escape to the other side of the fence, create a cool hole to relax in, or simply because he is bored.

Having a dog can be one of the greatest experiences of a lifetime. Like me, I’m sure most dog owners can’t imagine what life would be like without their furry companions. However, that doesn’t mean that everything is always problem-free. In fact, there are times when even the best dogs will make their owners want to tear their hair out, especially when they are dealing with a recurrent problem such as digging. To stop a dog from digging, it could be as simple as redirecting his attention to you as you say no, and then showing him where he can actually dig. I also suggest making places he shouldn’t be digging as undesirable like planting or putting rocks at that spot.

Clearly, you don’t want to admonish your dog to the point of risking the bond the two of you have, but you also don’t want him to dig. If you have an especially headstrong dog or you have a tendency to gravitate toward some of the breeds of dogs that seem to enjoy digging more than breathing, you might be wondering what you need to do to curb this behavior. I will discuss how to stop your dog from digging and provide tips that will help you train your furry friend! Read along!

Why Do Dogs Dig?

A dog digs for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, they see or smell something on the other side of the fence and they are trying to get to it. Others do it because it’s a natural instinct. On a hot weather, many dogs like to dig holes to create a cool spot to relax. At other times, they may actually be trying to escape from something that is frightening them. In some cases, a dog digs because he is bored. Some pet parents will undoubtedly notice that their dog’s issues with digging started right about the same time that they installed a brand new fence. Attention seeking behavior is one of the most common reasons dogs dig. If your dog is left alone for long periods of time, they may start to dig as a way to relieve boredom or get your attention.

A dog that has become accustomed to roaming along a certain area of its territory may not necessarily appreciate the addition of a fence that limits how far it can go. Even the best wireless dog fences won’t deter dogs from their digging behavior. As such, they sometimes have a tendency to try to dig under the fence (or even go over it) in an attempt to regain that sense of lost freedom— they are digging to escape the fence line. Think about it this way. Imagine having an entire house to yourself, then suddenly being confined to a single room. Imagine the door being closed and you know that you can’t go beyond those confines. Chances are, you wouldn’t really appreciate that loss of freedom yourself. It’s really not that much different for your dog.

Do Dogs Only Dig Under Fences?

Anyone that has ever owned a dog for more than a few minutes will emphatically tell you that dogs dig under fences and everywhere else. For some reason, they generally seem to have a few favorite places picked out where they constantly dig. It might be because it’s in the shade or because the dirt underneath the surface is almost always moist. This is especially true in warmer climates where outdoor dogs are just looking for a bit of relief from the heat.

In other cases, it seems like it is purely based on each individual dog’s personality. Some will only dig around the pathway of a fence while others will dig practically everywhere. The good news is that you can usually stop your dog from digging. The bad news is that it takes some time and patience. If you are expecting results overnight, you’re setting yourself up to be disappointed.

Do Older Dogs Dig, Too?

Without a doubt, digging is usually something that younger dogs are more prone to. Puppies and young adult dogs have a tendency to dig quite a lot. If your dog is already an adult and has developed a digging habit, you’ll need to be a bit more creative in order to get them to stop. In many cases, it’s tied to an abundance of pent-up energy that they don’t know what else to do with, so they end up digging. While it is less common for older dogs to dig, it certainly isn’t outside the realm of possibility. In fact, some dogs seem to have a propensity for it throughout their entire life while others don’t really get in the habit of doing it at all. In short, it really depends on the personality of your dog and whether or not digging seems to entertain him.

Is There Any Rhyme Or Reason For A Dog Digging A Hole?

In some cases, the only reason for a dog to dig is for the sake of digging itself. In others, they might be digging because they are trying to cover something up like a favorite dog toy or even a treat. whenever order to understand this behavior, it’s important to understand how dogs behave when they’re not inside your home. If they have something that is especially important to them, they have a habit of digging holes and then placing those items in the holes in order to keep other dogs from getting a hold of them. Even when they come to live with you, it may be a behavior that they continue to display.

What About When A Dog Constantly Digs And Scratches?

This behavior may be something entirely different from pent-up energy or a desire to protect something. Constant scratching probably displays that your dog has an allergic reaction to something. Dogs can be allergic to many things, just like human beings. When an allergy hits, it often manifests as irritation to the skin, something that they try to relieve by scratching. Dog’s behavior, In addition to that behavior, they may be trying to dig at the ground.

In some cases, they even dig at the carpet inside your home. When a dog does this, he is trying to tell you that he’s uncomfortable. In most cases, it’s just an allergy that can easily be remedied. However, some dogs that have never had a problem with digging before and suddenly start digging incessantly could be quite ill. In some cases, it could potentially be an indication of a brain tumor or something equally as serious. This doesn’t mean that you should panic right away because it could be a lot of things. However, it does mean that you should get your pet seen by a veterinarian right away. I also recommend talking to a dog behaviorist for a behavior modification.

How To Stop Your Dog From Digging : Pet Healthy Things

Unfortunately, even some otherwise well-trained dogs have a habit of digging, both under the fence and virtually everywhere else. The question is, what can you do to deter them from digging holes without damaging your relationship with them?

There are a lot of things that you can do that may potentially stop your dog from digging [1]. However, it’s important to first identify the reason that he is digging. Otherwise, you may end up spinning your wheels, so to speak. If your dog is digging because he’s a puppy or he’s very young and he has a lot of excess energy, one of the most effective ways to curb this behavior is to make sure that he gets plenty of exercises. This can be accomplished in a number of different ways.

For starters, he should be going to an obedience class and if he isn’t, it’s important to get him in one as quickly as possible. When he’s not actually in class, you can use a short amount of time every day to work on training. It’s important not to spend too much time on this daily, as younger dogs don’t have a very long attention span. If you spend too long working on dog training, your dog will get frustrated and so will you. Alternatively, you can also go for a run with your dog, take him on a long walk or play fetch with him. You’ll likely notice that your dog is far less likely to dig when you start spending more time with him. In short, keep your dog entertained and give him something constructive to do as opposed to merely leaving him to his own devices. 

Improve mental stimulation by adding some interactive dog toys or puzzles to their routine to help keep their minds challenged and occupied. You should also make sure they are getting plenty of exercise and attention from you when you are home.

I also suggest putting some deterrents to make the spot unappealing for your dog, such as chicken wire, rocks, cayenne pepper, vinegar, citronella, etc.

What If Typical Solutions Don’t Work?

If you have put your dog through an obedience class and you make sure to spend plenty of time with him every day in order to curb his energy levels, the digging may be due to something else entirely. As previously mentioned, he may actually be frightened by something in that particular area. Conversely, he may be trying to get to something that is just out of reach. In very rare cases, it is because of a medical issue. If nothing else works, give the yard a thorough examination, looking for anything that could be causing the issue. If you’re still at a loss, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your veterinarian just to make sure that everything is okay. This is especially true if the dog in question is one that you’ve had for a while and you haven’t had issues with digging in the past. 

As you can see, there is a number of reasons that your dog might be digging. Sometimes, it is a normal part of canine behavior that needs to be corrected in a proper manner. At other times, it could potentially signal more serious behavioral or medical issues. In most cases, it’s something that can be corrected with time and patience. The last thing you should ever do is get frustrated with your dog to the point that you yell at him for digging. That will only serve to confuse him and it won’t make the problem disappear, nor will it make you feel any better for having shouted at him. If you still have questions about dogs that dig, consider reading through the frequently asked questions that are listed below. 

Dog’s Digging: Frequently Asked Questions

Does vinegar stop dogs from digging?

In some cases, the answer is yes. It doesn’t always work, but generally speaking, dogs don’t really like the smell of vinegar [2]. It’s simply too strong for their sensitive noses. If you’re at the end of your rope, you can try mixing equal parts of vinegar and water and then pouring it in the hole that your dog keeps digging. Hopefully, he will steer clear of it and eventually teach your dog to stop digging new holes as well. 

Do dogs grow out of digging?

In many cases, they do. However, not all dogs will grow out of digging. Even those that do grow out of it do so at different times. For example, you might have a puppy that stops digging somewhere around his first birthday, yet have another dog that is three years old and still digging up the entire yard as if there were no tomorrow. Dogs are similar to people in the sense that they mature at their own pace. If your dog is digging, consider some of the aforementioned reasons why he may be engaging in such behavior. More importantly, consider incorporating some of the potential solutions that you’ve read about and see what happens. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Why is my dog scratching and digging?

As previously mentioned, it may be due to an allergic reaction that is causing severe irritation of the skin. Your dog might be scratching because he is uncomfortable. By the same token, he may be digging for the same reason. When a person is uncomfortable because of a rash or something similar, that individual tends to be restless. It’s hard to get someone in this state to be still and rest. It’s not really that much different for your dog. Unfortunately, unexplained and sudden digging could also signal something more serious with your dog’s health. If you don’t know the reason, consider making an appointment with your veterinarian right away so you can get to the bottom of things. Hopefully, you’ll be able to rule out a medical cause for the issue. 

Why do dogs dig holes?

Dog’s digging holes for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they just don’t know what to do with all of the energy they have, so they engage in digging and other potentially destructive behaviors as a means of attempting to entertain themselves. At other times, they dig so they can bury something that they want to come back to later. In some cases, they might be trying to get to something like a rabbit’s den.

Sometimes, dogs will dig because they are frustrated or because they are trying to get under the fence. It would even be fair to say that dogs dig holes for an infinite number of reasons, many of them as unique as the personality of the dog in question. The key is to find out why your dog is digging and then work to find a dog safe solution from there.