How to Stop a Dog From Digging Holes in Your Yard

Imagine coming back from home, looking forward to a peaceful 'time out' - and see your beautiful garden bed turned into a war zone - hmmm... not looking pretty!

If you have experienced this frustration - you are not alone!

Many dog owners experience this kind of dog digging problem as well, and the good news is you can stop your dog from digging.

To stop this unwanted behavior, you must first understand some of the reasons behind their Digging behavior.

How to stop a dog from digging holes in your yard

A Dog digs because a dog is just a dog; it is their true canine nature to dig. And believe it or not, your dog may think he is helping you out - just like how they see you do it!
Lack of exercise - if a dog doesn't have any exercise; digging becomes an alternative for them to burn off all their extra energy.

Boredom -some dog just need to do something to kill time when they are alone. Digging gives them a sense of purpose and distraction from the home alone time.
Separation anxiety - it happens when a dog is isolated or separated from its owner. It is one of the most common problems that dogs develop.

Some dog just need broader horizons!
Study your dog's digging behaviour carefully and understand why - that way you can find the best method of treatment.

If the reason your dog digs is due to a lack of exercise or activity, take time for more walks with your dog. If you don't have time, get someone to help you out!

For a dog that digs because of boredom, give him some toys and chews to play when they are alone. Try to get some challenging toys such as a treat dispenser (a hard rubber dog toy that you can fill with food, which is dispersed when your dog chews or plays with it) - this will keep your dog busy for a long time.

For those dogs who just like to dig, here are some tips for controlling the digging behaviour:
Restrict your dog's access. Allow his to be in the garden only when under supervision.
Use a can of red-hot cayenne pepper or natural deterrent, sprinkling it to the garden area where you don't want your dog to mess up.

Alternatively, consider planning blooms with deep roots and thorny defences, Roses cactus are ideal.

Attend obedience classes with lessons given by you to your dog each day - it may provide mental stimulation to change your dog's behaviour and distract him from digging. Alternatively, one of the best dog behavior training guide is SitStayFetch - it goes through all the necessary steps to correct dog behavior problems.

Otherwise accept your dog's natural digging behavior - create a sandbox for your dog if you have a spare corner in the garden. Spend a little time supervising your dog.

Praise him and give him a treat - and growl at him immediately when he starts digging anywhere else. Redirect him back to the sandbox. You can leave some marrow bones in the sandbox to encourage him that that is the only area where he will get good treat and praises.

For More Tips on How to Stop a Dog From Digging, Visit Sit Stay Fetch AND Slash Your Dog Obedience Training Time in Half by Using Techniques That Give You Immediate Results!
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