All My In Home Dog Training Clients Ask Why Do Dogs Dig?

Why do dogs dig is a question I’m asked a lot.

Many owners come to me with dogs of all ages complaining of their dog digging habits and looking for ways to help them curb this behaviour. One of the good ways to do this is through puppy training classes in Sydney

It is important to make note of the breed of dog also to ensure you understand the dog’s history, level of activity and the purpose each breed was intended for. We post information about different dog breeds under the Dog Breeds category of our blog.

Understanding your dog breed is important because some breeds are more likely to dig than others. For example, terriers are a breed that was intended for hunting underground prey, so they tend to dig a lot more than other breeds.

Once you’ve got an understanding of your dog’s breed, the next step is to monitor your dog closely to really find out the reason for this behaviour.

Below we explore some of the key reasons dogs dig.

Boredom

Dogs are very intelligent Pack animals. They need regular stimulation both mentally and physically and also need to feel part of a ‘pack’ or ‘a family’ to feel safe and secure. If your pup is not comfortable with training with other dogs there are other options than puppy school, you can opt for in-house training with a personal dog trainer.

If your dog is digging because they’re bored, you will notice they dig in different patches without any real consistency.

So why do dogs dig when they’re bored? It is simple, For Fun!!

What can you consider?

This type of digging is hard to treat because they enjoy it which makes it a reward. If this is the case you can look at a few different things such as:

1. Leave your dog a different toy each day to play with and entertain themselves with. This will help with mental stimulation. Don’t leave the same toy out for more than a couple of days, they get bored very quickly.
2. Get them toys that challenge them such as a chew toy with their favourite spreadable treat on the inside. Many chew toys are available at your local pet store that can have treats placed inside and create a challenge for your dog to access. This is effective for when you are trying positive dog training in Sydney.
3. Make sure your dog is getting enough physical activity. Ensure you’re walking them sufficiently. To find out more about how much exercise your dog needs, read our blog titled ‘how much exercise does my dog need’.
4. If you’re finding that your dog is getting plenty of exercises and is mentally stimulated, the answer may be to curb the behaviour rather than treat it. You may want to look at getting a sand pit or digging pit where they can dig rather than digging up the soil in your backyard.

Temperature

Your dog may dig in a couple of specific spots regularly. You may notice these spots either in warm areas or directly underneath shady areas. Why do dogs dig in these specific areas? They’re trying to regular their body temperature.

Your dog may either find their kennel/dog house too cold/hot, may not have adequate shelter at all, or as they age, may find it more difficult to regular their body temperature. Dogs don’t sweat like we do, their only way of cooling down is panting with their tongue out.

If you notice this along with digging, they may be too hot. Even the best puppy school cannot stop your dog from feeling hot or wanting to dig when it is too warm.

What can you consider?

• If they’re too hot, make sure their dog house is in the shade. Provide them with plenty of water and sometimes it helps to put a lot of ice in their water bowl to help them cool down through their tongue.
• If they’re too cold, add blankets, comfy and cozy beds to snuggle into and place their house under the warm sun.
• If you feel like they’re just not comfortable, try different beds to see which they feel most comfortable in.

Burying

Like we’ve mentioned, dogs dig instinctively. We all know that dogs bury their bones for another day. They used to do it as it was imperative to their survival, but now, even with an endless food supply on demand, they still carry this instinct. Puppy training classes in Sydney can help curb this habit into something more desirable.

Monitor your dog and figure out what they’re burying first. If its food, in particular, it can be fixed relatively easily.

What can you consider?

1. If its food they’re hiding, you need to look at how much you’re feeding them and how often. Are they getting too much food and is too much of that food bones? If it is, try reducing the number of bones you give them. It is best to try and find the sweet spot and give them just as many bones as they need. Consider their dental hygiene up and keep them a little entertained without them having an oversupply and hiding it.
2. If its toys they’re hiding, even though you’re alternating toys regularly, you may want to look at a digging pit to curb the behaviour rather than eliminate it.

If you would like to learn more about digging and attend one of our classes or in-home training Contact Us.