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Digging Prevention
Dogs dig for many reasons – trying to stay cool, boredom, searching for a hidden toy or bone, actively searching for prey, or attempts to escape. If your dog is digging to stay cool, you can provide shade so he can get out of the direct sun. Consider filling a kiddy pool the dog can splash around in not only to stay cool but to have some fun. Toss a few buoyant toys in the pool and play with your dog in the pool to teach him it is a fun way to stay cool.
Try to resolve boredom digging or attempts to escape by making sure your dog is getting enough physical and mental exercise. Take your dog out for a walk or run just before you leave so he is less likely to participate in boredom digging. Digging can be a problem if the dog is left outside with nothing to do and too much energy. Provide brain stimulating toys so the dog can participate in a variety of activities that will keep him occupied in your absence. Stimulating toys such as a kibble filled Bob-a-Lot, frozen peanut butter stuffed Kong, Tug-a-Jug , or other interactive toys keep your dog busy and out of trouble for hours. By placing food or treats in a toy they will have hours of fun trying to get their food while you are away from home. For dogs that like to herd, you can provide different sizes and shapes of Boomer Balls or Jolly Balls for them to herd all day long, using the energy they would otherwise spend digging.
One way to prevent your dog from picking up the digging habit is to not let you him see you dig in the garden, flower beds or other areas in the yard, or see you filling in holes. The dog will think that digging is an acceptable behavior.
If you already have holes in the yard fill them with dirt, leaving an inch or two at the top to add pieces of the dog's stool or lava rocks. Finish by covering the feces and rocks with about one inch of dirt. The next time the dog tries to dig in the same area, he may find it unpleasant and move to a new area or stop digging immediately. Continue to fill in the new holes if the dog moves to a new area, remembering not to let him see you doing it. The dog should stop within a few weeks.
Another way to prevent a dog from digging in your lawn, or digging along the fence in an attempt to dig out is to place chicken wire down on the lawn along the base of the fence, or bury it just under the surface. Be sure to secure the edges so he can't work them up. The grass will grow over the chicken wire and hide it in no time. For xeriscaped yards, bury the chicken wire just below the surface of rock or dirt.
You can also make a dig box and hide toys, treats and bones so the dog can find hidden treasures while being given an appropriate place to dig.
