Stop the Dog From Digging

By John S. Rhodes

You've probably taken great care in grooming your front or back yard lawn and garden. You finally have a chance to enjoy the warmth of the sun and the smell of the many varieties of flowers you've planted. Suddenly, you come upon a deep hole in your flower bed. Upon further inspection, you notice more holes in your back yard! Who is the culprit? You're recently acquired dog. Now what do you do? How do you stop the dog from digging?

If you've never owned a dog, you will need to understand that certain dogs react in different ways to change. To stop the dog from digging, it is essential to understand why they dig. There could be a myriad of reasons. Either they smell something interesting and wish to investigate; or if they come from an animal shelter they may want to protect their toys or even certain types of food from other dogs; or it is inherent in their breed. When you bring home a dog for the first time, their natural curiosity is to smell everything; especially in a yard or flower bed. Sometimes they are looking for scents from other dogs as well. In some cases, they may sense a smell deep in the ground; consequently, they dig.

In addition, dogs tend to dig out of boredom. It is important to stop the dog from digging by taking him or her on daily walks. Exercise is a key factor in alleviating any type of misbehavior. Keeping your dog occupied with other activities will certainly help you to stop the dog from digging. Again, depending upon the dog's breed, you need to research their habits and then act accordingly. You can also purchase books on the dog's breed, as well as their behavioral aspects.

Overall, however, to stop the dog from digging will take a certain amount of time and effort to understand the dog and the breed. More importantly, do not scold your dog. Changing a dog's behavior requires you to be kind, patient and loving. If you've ever seen the show, the Dog Whisperer, the method that always seems to work is to fully engage the dog in an exercise program and, at the same time, letting the dog know you are the pack leader. Once this type of training is establish, you will never have to stop the dog from digging again.

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