Many hunting dogs, such as terriers and small hounds, were bred to dig out quarry from their dens. If your dog is currently digging up the garden it’s possible that he/she is just bored and frustrated and this is just something that they are doing to relieve the boredom and tension they are feeling. While we may be pretty annoyed by this, the last reaction we want to express is one of anger directed clearly towards them. This is a simple solution that after a few attempts will cause your pooch to realize that digging in that area is futile. It can be quite confusing trying to establish exactly what is causing your dog to furtively dig at any opportunity. A study in the journal Biology Letters says this 'emotional contagion' is completely normal. Repeated time after time is just going to accentuate and frustrate the dog even more. To an extent, this can also be related to anxiety, but it is equally a matter of your hound wanting to feel sheltered. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. Digging in itself is a natural behaviour for many dogs. Picture this… a while back I get an email from a frustrated dog owner simply titled “why is my dog digging holes all of a sudden”. That nicely tended flower arrangement with the soft topsoil makes for a perfect starting place…. Training sessions in the backyard are another way to occupy and exercise your dog. Sometimes, dogs dig just for the fun of it while others dig out of boredom or frustration. Understanding why your dog digs is an important step in minimizing this behavior. It is perfectly natural for dogs to dig a den. As a rule of thumb, effective general training and exercise will prevent inappropriate excessive/habitual digging from becoming a problem. of perfect behavior just lavish them with fun and attention. Fun to Hunt. However, you may also prefer plastic wire over steel. Here are the most common reasons why dogs dig. Just like people, dogs can 'catch' yawns. As one would expect, this can be commonly associated with anxiety but may also arise commonly in particular breeds. Think about terriers. Now, just to be clear, these exercises aren’t an instant overnight cure for your dog’s obsessive digging and you’re going to have to put the time and effort in with your dog if you want to stop their digging habits long term. Repeat as needed until your dog is so perturbed that they start to get the message. This is a close relative of digging pits to lie in, another throwback from their lupine DNA, pregnant wolves always find a den before giving birth and the instinct to be protected in a hollow or an underground cave is stronger in some dogs than in others. Dogs kept in enclosed yards yet allowed to dig will eventually (they are incredibly persistent creatures) break down that fence. In colder seasons the obvious solution keeps them indoors while you are outside, but this may for many reasons not be an ideal solution. One of the most common reasons why your dog is acting scared all of a sudden is a phobia. Despite all your best efforts to redirect your dog, that digging instinct can still kick in. When these dogs lie down, they get to expose their belly to the cool soil. Temperature Control – Sometimes your dog will dig at his bed to cool off certain areas that he feels are too warm so he can be more comfortable. Some breeds may retain such instincts more than others due to having been used by humans in this capacity for hunting and/or defensive purposes. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Why Do Dogs Bark at Nothing? We don’t always know why dogs do what they do, but over time some behavior can be understood. Digging is such a source of joy for so many dogs. Some dogs dig because they are pursuing an odor of buried food or a prey animal. Your dog may be digging because he is bored if he is: a puppy or young dog and doesn’t get enough exercise and/or mental stimulation left alone in the yard for an extended amount of time without toys or another person or dog to play with And while this all seems innocent enough I’ve also seen this behavior spiral out of control and result in huge behavioral disorders like obsessive barking, severe separation anxiety, and in worst cases, violent aggressive attacks towards the owner or other animals in the household. And just as dogs dig to look for food, they will dig to bury things too. AKC Scent Work is another fun option where all dogs, purebred and mixed breed, are eligible to participate and search for a hidden target odor. Monitor their behavior when they return home. Anyway, check out the video link below to take a look: 5 Step-By-Step Calming Exercises. Sometimes this behavior is as innocent as your dog wanting to dig a cool shady spot to relax and get out of the sun. Of course, the downside to this is it will take many hours of monitoring and likely irritate the neighbors. This is because steel can hurt your pup’s paws as he digs. Humans purposefully developed these breeds to exhibit this behavior. Why Do Dogs Dig Holes? (see video below), And the great thing about these exercises is that they’ll not only help stop your dog’s unwanted digging habits…. Pest control . Plus, they have the added benefit of changing your dog’s perception of what the backyard is for i.e. Sight-hounds who are ‘hardwired’ into giving pursuit may become literally uncontrollable when they see something (rabbit/cat etc) through a fence. This caching behavior is a throwback to that wolf heritage. Do not even make eye contact and instead carry on your normal routine. After all, there are much easier ways of attempting to gain your attention. Dogs don’t form memories as we do, but they tend to remember negative/positive experiences strongly. Digging is an instinctive behavior dogs inherited from their wolf ancestors, points out the American Kennel Club (AKC). To put it simply, a tired pooch is unlikely going to be much in the mood for a few hours of digging. Instinct. In classic “dig your way out of prison” fashion, they are attempting to escape the yard. Dogs also will dig to get under barriers. It may take a few occasions for your dog to figure out that digging = unproductive, but mark my words they will sooner rather than later. From the dogs perspective that is a simple case of “All that hard and essential work was for nothing. Be pretty annoyed by this, the downside to this at any opportunity to your dog is keeping.! 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