If your dog has a digging habit, this can be a frustrating hobby. Digging can destroy your lawn, ruin your garden, track dirt and mud in your house, leave your dog dirty and smelly, and pose a tripping hazard. Perhaps most worrying of all, digging up your yard could also provide your pup with means of escape! Free of the safety of your yard, your dog is vulnerable to cars, other dogs, dodgy people and so much more.

A dog with a frustrating digging habit can be a real nuisance, but understanding why your dog digs will help you better understand your pooches actions. Knowing the reasoning behind why your dog digs will also go a long way toward helping him break his habit.

Why Is My Dog Digging Up My Backyard

Digging Is Instinctual To Your Dog

Just like your pup naturally wags their tail, a bit of digging comes naturally to your dog. All dogs will dig to some extent - even if they are not a habitual or problem digger. This is because digging is a part of your dog’s instinctive behaviour which has been passed down to them from their ancient wolf ancestors.

You have likely seen your pup dig a bit before laying down. This is instinctive behaviour that helps him find the best and most comfortable spot to lay down.

Digging could Be Your Dog Searching for Prey

For dogs, digging can also be a prey-seeking behaviour. It is common for dogs with a high prey drive to dig in order to go after rodents, small marsupials, lizards and other small prey animals they might be able to hear and smell living underground.

Digging for prey is very common in terriers and smaller breeds like dachshunds. These small pups were bread specifically to hunt for rodents and other small animals.

Your Dog Could be Digging for Comfort

For dogs who live in warmer clients, like here in Australia, dogs dig for comfort and to help cool themselves down. Digging beneath the ground’s surface unearths cool ground which will help regulate your dog’s body temperature in warmer weather.

This behaviour is especially common for longer haired dogs like Siberian huskies, great pyrenees, Newfoundlands and the like.

Your Dog Could Be Digging Because They Are Bored

Easily the most common reason dogs dig is because they are bored and digging is freaking fun!

For dogs, digging up your yard is a great way to relieve boredom and ease stress. Often, chronic digging is the result of a lack of physical activity, or not enough mental stimulation.

Digging To Bury Doggy Treasure

Some dogs might love something you give them so much, they want to stash it for safekeeping. Often, stashing their beloved possessions means digging a hole in your yard or garden, then digging it up later.

Chronic, or problematic digging occurs when your dog has buried their special possession, but they can’t quite remember where.

Your Dog Might be Digging to Escape

Dogs, by nature, are curious. This curiosity often compels them naughtiness.

For dogs with a curious nature, wanting to know, explore and smell what is on the other side of your fence may lead them to tunnelling under your fence to see what is on the other side. Escaping can be especially tantalising for dogs who are not get enough mental stimulation or exercise.

Squarepegs Handyman Does Dog And Puppy Proofing

Regardless of why your dog digs, Squarepegs Handyman is here to help keep your dog safe and secure in your yard.

Contact us here to organise your free, in-person quote with Handyman Sean.

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You’ll find Squarepegs Handyman in and around Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, the Hunter and beyond. Contact us to find out if we service your area.