The dirt on dogs who dig

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If your lawn or yard looks like a buried treasure hunt, your dog's digging problem is probably out of control. Cementing in the entire yard is one solution, but there are other options.

The dirt on digging

Different breeds dig for different reasons, so before looking for solutions, it's important to establish why your dog digs. Heavy-coated spitz-type dogs, such as Huskies and Chow Chows, dig during hot weather to create pits to help them stay cool. Earth dogs--those bred to dig tunnels to get at their prey, such as short-legged Terriers and Dachshunds--are following their instincts to find gophers, moles, or other burrowing rodents. Scent hounds (such as Beagles, Bassets, and Bloodhounds) and unneutered males of any breed often dig under fences to get at small game (squirrels, for instance), food, or a female dog in heat. And juvenile dogs (age six to 18 months) may dig because they're full of youthful high spirits and have nothing else to do. The common trait for all of these breeds is that they dig because they find it gratifying. When left alone outside, dogs they have the motivation, means, and the chance to dig, and they take advantage of it!

Boredom is a common culprit. When there's nothing to hold your dog's attention, he may fill his time by digging up the yard. Why? For the same reason people climb mountains: "Because it's there!" It fills the void when he's sitting around outside, waiting for you to return. Boredom often afflicts adolescent dogs, but it can happen at any age. Sometimes lack of socialization can trigger this behavior.

There are two choices available to the frustrated owner: Take away the reasons to dig or redirect the digging to an acceptable place. If your overheated husky is digging cooling pits, keep him inside with the air conditioning on during hot days, or fill a small kiddie pool with cool water for him. If your terrier is tearing up your lawn looking for gophers, bring in a professional to get rid of them. And if your unneutered male dog is digging under the fence to hunt for the ladies, a "snip" trip to the vet is overdue. Neutered males lose often their urge  [Continued]

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