Are there holes all over your once lush and pristine backyard? Any dog owner knows that a dog that spends any length of time outside will inevitably raise the question: how do I stop dog from digging? The answer probably lies in the cause. So, to stop dog from digging, you must first determine why the dog does this.
There could actually be a number of reasons that the dog keeps burrowing into the ground. To stop dog from digging, let us first look at the many possible causes. Is the yard fenced in? If so, the dog may be trying to escape, probably to get to something on the other side, whether it is another animal, food, or simply to have more room to run. To stop dog from digging to get out of a yard, some people try burying the fence a bit, or placing gravel, stones, or wood at the base of the fence or just beneath the ground. This can stop dog from digging, because after a few futile tries, the dog may simply give up the effort.
And to really stop dog from digging, if the material is hard enough, like stone, the dog may not like the painful sensation from plowing into an area of rock, and may therefore just stop trying to get away, so you have been able to stop dog from digging. Also, consider keeping the dog indoors more often, if that is possible. To stop dog from digging to get away from home, making him feel more appreciated and part of the family just may work, as dogs are fairly smart animals.
Perhaps, though, you need to stop dog from digging random holes in the yard. Consider the climate. Is it summertime, or is it generally very warm in your area? If the dog is hot, he may be searching for cooler ground in which to rest. If you notice that the dog often digs holes and then lies in them, then this is probably the answer. Do you want to stop dog from digging to get cool? Since air-conditioning the yard is not an option, make sure that the dog has plenty of shady, cooler areas to rest, and that there is plenty of water for hydration. This may stop dog from digging to keep cool. And again, you may want to just bring the dog in for the hottest parts of the day.
Another possibility to consider when wondering how to stop dog from digging is that an animal, like a snake, gopher, or turtle has been in the area, and the dog is trying to catch it. There is not much you can do to stop dog from digging for this reason, but you can notice the presence of wild animals, and contact local experts for the removal.
Overall, to stop dog from digging, think about keeping him indoors as much as possible, providing shady spots and plenty of water, and blocking off the bottom of fences. There are plenty of reasons, and just as many solutions, so you really can stop dog from digging; it will just take a little investigative work on your part.
