Digging is a normal behavior for dogs. Some breeds (Terrier) are bred for digging and it may be harder to deter their natural instinct. Dogs may dig for a variety of reasons: entertainment, attention, seeking prey, comfort/protection or to escape.
·Entertainment. Dogs that are left alone outside for extended periods of time without any playmates or toys may resort to digging. A dog can make a toy out of roots and branches that she may find in the ground. By increasing your dogs social time with you can decrease her need to dig. Also provide her with toys to play within the interim that you cannot socialize with her. For dogs that insist on digging regardless of the interaction time with their owner, providing an acceptable place for her to dig is suggested. Discourage her from digging outside of her designated area by placing sharp rocks, plants with thorns, or chicken wire in the area. Praise your dog every time she digs in the appropriate spot.
·Attention. A dog that digs to seek attention has limited interaction with her owner and will dig in your presence. If your dog is seeking attention by digging, do not respond to the behavior, ignore it. Make sure that you increase the amount of time you spend with your dog to alleviate her attention-getting behavior.
·Seeking prey. Some dogs will pursue burrowing animals or insects that live in your yard. If your dog is digging in a linear fashion but not along the edges of your yard or is digging at the roots of trees and shrubs, she is most likely following prey. The simplest way to solve this digging behavior is to eliminate the insects and burrowing animals.
·Comfort/protection. Some dogs will dig holes to lie in to cool off in the heat of the day, or are seeking to get out of inclement weather. Make sure you provide shelter and plenty of water to keep your dog hydrated and safe from bad weather. Even when these items are provided, your dog may still choose to lie in a hole. If the area is an acceptable spot allow her the pleasure. If the hole is in an undesirable location, try to redirect her to a more appropriate spot in the yard to dig her hole.
·Escape. Your dog may try to escape your yard to get at something or to get away from something. If your dog is digging around your fence line, more than likely she is trying to escape your yard. To deter this behavior try burying chicken wire at the base of the fence, or place partially buried large rocks along the fence line. You might also try laying chain link fence on the ground next to the fence line so that it is uncomfortable for your dog to walk near the fence.
