There are 2 extreme schools of thought when it comes to a dog digging holes in your garden: one, that a dog is a dog and he’s going to dig, and he should be allowed to express his true doggy nature whenever and wherever he wants; and two, that a flowerbed is reserved for flowers, and if that dog even sets foot in it he’s in big trouble.

My feeling is really both. While it is a dog’s nature to dig and you want to let them be a dog as much as possible, I think you can have both a beautiful yard and a happy dog. This involves you being ready to train him so that this can happen.

So for now, you are here for a reason – you have a dog that digs and want to know what to do about it. You are probably too far down the dog ownership road to tell you that some dogs are known for digging, like Huskies, Malamutes and Terriers. However, if you are in the research stage, this is good information to put in your file as you continue your search for your one and only dog.

First of all, let’s explore some of the reasons dogs dig.

1. Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way to burn off nervous energy.

2. Bored. Dogs like to have a job to do and if they don’t, digging is one job they will find to do.

3. I gotta get outta here! Some dogs just want to see the world, and the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. These guys are nearly impossible to confine, no matter how much exercise and attention they get.

Show me how to make the digging go away, please!

Obviously, you can get busy with dogs, getting them out and about. Or give him something constructive to do if he’s bored, like a toy to play with. Better still combine the two, and play fetch.

Deter them with their own poop. Yep, dogs do not like to dig where they poop. So move their poop to the area where they are prone to dig. Even if they occasionally eat their own poop, they won’t dig there. (For info on Dogs Eating Poop, see the website below).

You’ve tried everything and he just won’t stop digging – now what? It probably makes sense that he needs to dig. Your job is to find a spot that you can live with and start training him to use that place only. The size of your place doesn’t limit this from working.