Training Your Dog - Digging

  When your dog digs there is usually some underlying reason.  Consider that dogs dig naturally to reveal his prey or is used to bury his food to use later. Dogs might dig to build an underground shelter of sorts as a windbreak or to keep warm.  When it is warmer, a small hole may keep your dog a bit cooler.  Some dogs might even dig before they urinate or defecate.

     Many dogs, even indoors, simulate digging when they find a place to rest.  This type of digging behavior does not usually cause immediate damage, but it could wear down your carpet over time.  Generally speaking then, digging does not cause much of a problem until it destroys property.  In order to try and prevent the digging behavior, you should first try to prevent the opportunity for digging and find an alternative activity, one that your dog finds  physically challenging and fun.

  Generally speaking it is probably best that your dog not be left alone and unsupervised for a great length of time in the yard.   Your dog should be less likely to waste time and energy digging holes if you walk him regularly or provide productive physical activities or training time. Make sure to have daily play sessions that apply basic dog obedience skills.