To cure a bad case of digging is essential to figure out and address the underlying cause. Try to figure out why the dog is doing it and see if you have the appropriate solution. For instance, your dog may be digging to find something to eat. He or she might have a dietary deficiency that needs to be addressed. S
ometimes feeding your pup a mineral supplement or a supplement that contains vegetable can cure your dog’s appetite for dirt and digging. O
ne clue that your dog might have a vitamin deficiency is if he or she spends a lot of time licking rocks. If your dog is digging to hide things in a hole then he or she might be jealous of another pet or a child in the home.
The toy or piece of food might be buried so that the competition can’t get it. This type of insecure digger is trying to tell you that they need more one-on-attention. If you are favoring one animal over another you may be triggering this behavior.
If it seems like your dog is digging to fulfill a hunting instinct then you may not be feeding him enough food.
Malnourished dogs are more likely to burrow in the ground to find something to drink.
A dog that has worms or is sick with some kind of ailment might also resort to digging in order to hide his feces or urine. This is also caused by an old primal instinct that urges sick animals to bury their excrement so that predators can’t take advantage of their weakened state.
Here are some tips for discouraging your dog to dig.
1. Never punish a dog for digging. All this will do is teaches him or her not to dig in your presence. The minute you turn your back, the burrowing will probably start again. Even worse, the dog may find a substitute for digging in the earth and instead dig a hole in your favorite couch. She may resume digging when you’re not around or find unique things to dig into – such as dig a hole in the couch as opposed to the dirt.
2. Digging may be an indication that your dog needs more exercise. Try doubling the amount of walks that you take your pet on in a day and see if this helps.
3. Don’t bring your dog’s chewy toys or food into the yard. This gives him the idea to hide his treasures beneath the ground in case any other creature in the great outdoors is coveting them.
4. Does your dog have enough shade? If you live in a hot climate the dog might be digging the hole to find a cool spot. Ways to discourage this behavior is to make sure there is plenty of shade in his space in the backyard. Providing your dog with a wading pool can also discourage digging.
5. Consider putting up a fence in the areas of your yard where you don’t want the pet to dig.
6. Fill up the holes that your dog digs with rocks. This might give him the idea that the activity is pointless.
7. Never let your dog watch you digging holes or gardening. He might get the idea to imitate you.
8. If your dog is of a breed that finds digging irresistible (such as a basset hound or daschund) then try creating a special area in “digging area” in your yard made from a sandbox or a pile of dirt. You can encourage the dog to only dig in that spot by hiding his chew toys in that area. The dog that is least likely to dig is a happy dog. If you want in-depthinformation about different dog breeds and how to give them the kind of training and attitude that discourages insecure and needy behaviors such as digging.