Dog Obedience Training Tips > Keep Dog from Digging

If you are wondering how to stop your dog digging you are not alone. There are literally millions of pet owners around the world that are in a similar situation. If you spend any time in your garden and put some work into making it look nice it can be really frustrating to see it all dug up when you come home. The following are some of the more simple solutions that I found over the years for helping your dog to stop digging.

1)General exercise
One of the simplest and easiest things you can do to stop your dog from digging is to simply make sure that your dog gets enough exercise. This can eliminate a whole variety of behavioural problems that your dog may be exhibiting and is one of the easiest ways to stop your dog digging.

2)What the dog doesn’t like
Apart from exercise another way to stop your dog digging is to place something in the hole that he doesn’t like in order to discourage the behaviour. I say something your dog doesn’t like here because this can vary from dog to dog. For example, some dogs hate the smell of their own faeces whereas other dogs are ok with it. Placing some of your own dog’s poop in the hole he is working on may stop him digging. Find something your dog doesn’t like that is not going to harm him and pop it in the hole when he isn’t looking.

3)Digging yourself
One of the solutions for how to stop dogs digging holes is to get out there and dig up any treats or bones the dog has buried. Don’t let him see you do this but when he finds that they are not there when he digs in the ground the next day it can discourage him from this type of behaviour in future. This can work really well for some people.

4)A sprinkler solution
If you want your dog to learn how to stop digging holes you could install a sprinkler system in the areas of the garden that the dog likes to dig. When your dog approaches the forbidden area and starts to dig you can switch on the sprinkler. This method works really well when you are trying to prevent your dog from digging when you’re not there. The dog will perceive the garden itself as punishing him for his digging behaviour.

5)Providing a place to dig
In so many ways the digging behaviour of dogs is just a normal part of their makeup and looking at for a permanent solution for how to stop your dog from digging for good is unrealistic. Dogs will dig as part of a denning instinct, out of curiously, and out of frustration and boredom to name but a few reasons. This is why it makes sense to have a specially designated part of the garden where they can dig in peace. With the proper instruction your dog can learn what part of the garden is ok to dig in and you can then reach a compromise where you can have a nice garden and they can have all the digging activity they want.

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