As the snow melts and grass gets greener, your dog may get the urge to dig. Digging is a normal behavior for most dogs but may occur for widely varying reasons. Many breeds were actually bred for the purpose of digging, so it may be easier to provide an area where your dog can dig to her heart’s content instead of trying to deny instinctual behaviors. However, there are still things you can do to prevent unwanted digging:
- Keep interesting toys in the yard and rotate them frequently so your dog does not become bored.
- Increase exercise and training sessions outside of the yard.
- Check your yard for grubs, moles and other underground animals.
- Always monitor your dog when they’re in the yard so you can redirect them right when they start digging; scolding them long after they dig is confusing to the dog and can be counterproductive to your training.
For more dog behavior tips, head to wihumane.org!
Link on our website: https://www.wihumane.org/behavior/ask-the-experts/dogs/digging