How To Stop Dogs From Digging

By Anvi Mehta

Every being in this world wants to safeguard their belongings. This applies to both humans and animals. As humans have storage appliances to keep their objects and necessities safe, animals also have a way to store things. Like birds make nests and keep their food there, rodents make burrows and store things in them, similarly even dogs have the habit to dig ground and store things there. Not only they use these dug holes to store food and objects but they also use them to make a comfortable seat for them. For dogs, digging holes is also a good source of entertainment and exercise.

When street dogs start digging holes in public gardens, they do not cause much trouble for us. The real nuisance is when your pet dog starts digging your backyard and garden and makes a hell out of it. The beautifully restored and decorated lawn is totally destroyed and tattered into holes dug out everywhere. This is when you really need to stop your dog from doing so.

How To Stop Dogs From Digging

Dogs are quick learners and do not forget things learnt so easily. So, I have a list of things you can do to stop your dog from making holes and pits everywhere they see plain ground.

Go Professional - If you want your dog to behave his best when he is in your garden, you should definitely try some professional training. Enroll him at a training center and you can actually see the difference. Professionally trained Dogs are very accurate and efficient. They do not stray away from the training they go through.

Research your Dog - You should always know the habits of your dog before you take them as your pet. For this, you should do a thorough research on their habit, their needs and their requirements. For some breeds, digging pits and holes is like their favorite pastime. Some breeds are temperature sensitive and need to dig pits to keep hemselves warm. You should take proper measures and precautions to fulfill your pet's need of. digging

Entertain and Engage - For many dog breeds, digging holes is just a way to fight boredom. So, the best way to stop your dog from digging holes is to keep them engaged and entertained in other tasks. You can do this by playing the fetch game with them, cuddling them, taking them out on a walk and getting them their favorite toys. Once their minds are engaged in other activities they would definitely stop digging the ground.

Be Strict - Sometimes, even after the training and entertaining Dogs do not get their tails straight. This is when you have to become a little strict with them. Whenever your Dog starts ruining the ground shout a little and be firm. This will make them realize that they are not supposed to repeat the mistake again. Of course, you aren't supposed to hit them or whip them. Just be a little strict to them.

Luxury Life - To make your Dog stop the dirty habit of digging, you can actually get them away from the Dirty life. Bring them a comfortable and warm bed, get them plenty of toys and change their environment. Do not let them go to the ground they like to dig up.

Story first published: Saturday, November 9, 2013, 13:02 [IST]
Read more about: pet care