Digging often stems from boredom and overstimulation, but even high-energy dogs can learn to settle and relax without constant activity, using the right training system.
If you’ve recently welcomed a puppy into your home, you might be wondering whether your yard is doomed to look like a construction site forever. Those cute little paws can cause surprising damage when they start digging! As a pet owner who’s dealt with this issue myself, I understand the frustration of finding new holes in your garden every day.
The good news? Some puppies do reduce their digging behavior as they mature The bad news? Digging is natural for dogs, and many won’t simply “grow out of it” without your help. Let’s dig into (pun intended!) why puppies dig and what you can realistically expect as they grow older
Why Do Puppies Love to Dig?
Before we talk about whether puppies outgrow digging, it’s important to understand why they dig in the first place. There are several reasons:
1. It’s in Their DNA
Many dog breeds have been selectively bred to dig! The word “terrier” literally translates to “earth dog,” meaning these breeds find digging as natural as breathing. Dachshunds were bred to burrow into the ground to hunt vermin. If your puppy has any of these breeds in their lineage, digging is literally programmed into their genetic code.
2. Cooling Down
Puppies often dig to create cooling pits. This is especially common in Northern breeds like huskies, malamutes, Spitz, and Samoyeds. These dogs instinctively know how to cool themselves off by digging down to cooler soil.
3. Boredom and Excess Energy
A bored puppy is a destructive puppy! Without adequate mental and physical stimulation, puppies will find their own entertainment – often in the form of digging. Think about it – have you ever done something just because it was fun, even if it wasn’t particularly productive? That’s how your puppy feels about digging!
4. Anxiety and Stress Relief
Digging can be a calming mechanism for puppies experiencing anxiety. Some puppies dig due to separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, or other stressors.
5. Freedom Seeking
Some puppies dig to escape! These escape artists genuinely believe the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. You can identify this motivation when digging happens primarily along fence lines.
Do Puppies Naturally Grow Out of Digging?
Now for the big question: Will your puppy naturally outgrow digging?
The short answer: Maybe, but don’t count on it.
While some puppies may reduce their digging behavior as they mature and have less puppy energy, others will continue this behavior throughout their lives. Several factors influence whether a puppy will outgrow digging:
Breed Tendencies
As mentioned earlier, certain breeds are more predisposed to digging due to their genetic heritage. Terriers, dachshunds, and beagles have strong digging instincts and are less likely to naturally outgrow the behavior.
Here’s a quick reference of some breeds and their digging tendencies:
| Breed | Temperament | Digging Tendency |
|---|---|---|
| Terrier | Feisty, energetic | High |
| Dachshund | Playful, curious | High |
| Beagle | Friendly, energetic | High |
| Labrador Retriever | Friendly, outgoing | Low |
| Poodle | Intelligent, active | Low |
Remember, individual personalities can vary widely even within breeds!
Training and Environment
Puppies that receive proper training, adequate exercise, and mental stimulation are more likely to reduce digging behavior as they mature. Those left alone in yards with loose soil and little supervision will likely continue digging.
Rewards and Reinforcement
Your puppy repeats behaviors that provide some type of reward. If digging is consistently rewarding (through fun, cooling, finding critters, or getting your attention), they’ll continue to dig.
How to Help Your Puppy Outgrow Digging
Since many puppies won’t naturally outgrow digging on their own, here are some practical strategies to help them develop better habits:
1. Provide Adequate Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A tired puppy is less likely to dig! Make sure your puppy gets:
- Regular walks and playtime
- Interactive toys and puzzle games
- Training sessions to challenge their mind
- Social interaction with other dogs (when appropriate)
Seriously, I can’t stress this enough – don’t underestimate the benefit of increasing your pup’s exercise level! Tired pups don’t dig – they sleep.
2. Create a Designated Digging Area
Instead of fighting against your puppy’s natural instincts, channel them appropriately:
- Set up a sandbox or designate a specific area of your yard for digging
- Bury toys and treats in this area to encourage digging there
- Praise and reward your puppy when they dig in the appropriate spot
- Redirect them to this area when they start digging elsewhere
This works particularly well for puppies with strong digging instincts. My youngest grandchild, Charlie, loves to dig! Her parents wisely installed a large covered sandbox, and it really solved the issue.
3. Address Underlying Causes
If your puppy is digging due to anxiety or stress, addressing these underlying issues is crucial:
- Consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist
- Implement calming strategies and safe spaces
- Consider separation anxiety training if needed
4. Use Deterrents Wisely
Some deterrents can discourage digging in specific areas:
- Physical barriers like rocks or chicken wire (be careful these don’t hurt your puppy’s paws)
- Bitter apple spray or citrus scents in areas you want to protect
- Sound deterrents (used sparingly and humanely)
But remember, using sound to frighten your puppy may cause them to become afraid of loud noises such as fireworks and thunder. Use sound corrections sparingly!
5. Check for Pests
Sometimes puppies dig because they sense something underground that you don’t:
- Have your yard checked for moles, voles, or other burrowing creatures
- Address any pest issues promptly
- This can be very effective for removing temptation from your pup’s life!
6. Train in the Yard
When was the last time you went out to the yard with your pup to practice training? Take your puppy near their digging spots and practice training sessions there. The message you’re giving is that you expect them to listen to you in the yard as well as the house.
The “Goalie” Exercise
An interesting approach mentioned by dog training expert Margaret Jones Davis is the “Goalie” exercise. This helps establish that the yard belongs to you, not your puppy:
- Remember that just opening the door and allowing your pup to run into the yard tells them they own the yard
- Dog doors are the best way to tell your pup that they own both the house and the yard
- Instead, practice supervised yard time where you maintain control
- This helps establish respect and proper boundaries
The Importance of Consistency
Whatever approach you choose, consistency is key. All family members should follow the same rules and use the same commands. Inconsistency will confuse your puppy and make training less effective.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your puppy’s digging is excessive, dangerous, or you’re struggling to manage it, don’t hesitate to seek professional help:
- Consult with a certified dog trainer
- Speak with your veterinarian to rule out medical causes
- Consider working with an animal behaviorist for severe cases
Final Thoughts: Patience and Understanding
Remember that digging is a natural behavior for dogs. While some puppies may naturally reduce their digging as they mature, most will need your guidance and training.
Instead of punishing your puppy for digging, focus on understanding why they’re digging and providing appropriate alternatives. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you can help your puppy develop better habits.
And honestly, it’s usually easier to solve the issue of why you don’t leave your pup indoors than to solve outdoor behavior issues! Keep in mind the building blocks of a successful relationship with your pup – love, trust, and respect.
Have you dealt with a digger? What techniques worked for you? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Why do dogs dig holes – Reason #1: Dogs dig holes because they’re bored.
Important note: If you’ve ever googled “how do you stop dogs digging”, you’ve probably seen the “because they’re bored” answer.
It’s often at least part of the problem BUT most dog training articles on stopping dogs digging MISS a really important factor of the “boredom” puzzle, which we’ll cover later in this section (it might be the thing that’s preventing you from making progress!).
Dogs digging is a really common problem with high energy or intelligent dogs, simply because they don’t have enough to do.
It’s important to remember that many dogs were bred to work and think ALL day, EVERY day – they’re not designed to be left alone in a backyard for hours at a time with nothing to do (just like many humans would go crazy in a similar situation!)
Breeds like kelpies, border collies, huntaways, GSPS, cocker spaniels, and other working breeds often struggle being left alone in a backyard, and come up with other ways to entertain themselves, including barking, chasing things, going crazy at passers-by, and of course, digging.
Even if you have a less active breed, the reason why your dog’s digging holes may still be that they’re bored and not getting the stimulation and exercise that they need.
There’s an important caveat to the boredom which is that your dog doesn’t know HOW to settle and relax, so needs constant stimulation to keep them from getting into trouble.
Common dog training approaches actually ENCOURAGE this mindset in your dog, of being constantly “on” – busy, hyped up and looking for the “next thing to do” – instead of learning how to relax and stay still, even when they’re bored and want to fidget, or want to be involved in everything around them.
Why? Because most dog training constantly rewards activity, rather than encouraging calm stillness. Even rewarding your dog for being calm (using a treat, or happy praise) tends to hype them back up, and undo their progress!
Not to mention that the process most dog training approaches use to get dogs to stay still and relax takes FOREVER to make any progress (if it ever does), because it relies on the dog CHOOSING to relax or stay still (which many dogs never will).
Basically, common dog training approaches are really bad at teaching your dog how to settle, even when they’re excited, distracted, or want to do something else, which means many dogs (especially the “busy” breeds) never learn HOW to settle.
Luckily, even the busy, hyper-active dogs can learn how to settle and not need constant stimulation to keep them from getting into trouble. It’s a learnable skill, just like any other – you just need the right system to teach it (which we’ll cover later in this guide, in the “How do you stop dogs digging” section).
Stopping your dog digging– An overview
Dogs digging holes is a super frustrating problem, especially because it’s a “surprise” you often come home to after a long day at work!
It’s also harder to solve behavioural issues that happen when you’re not around, because you’re not there in the moment to do anything about it!
But the good news is, there usually ARE things you can do to stop dogs digging, even if you’ve struggled to make progress until now.
In this guide to stopping your dog digging, we’ll be covering:
How To STOP Dogs Digging
FAQ
Will my puppy outgrow digging?
Usually by 6 months, puppies get out of their destructive teething phase when they usually go after furniture. However, playfulness can remain remain into adulthood – let my 4 years old goldie to play, shed happily go digging.
What age do dogs stop digging holes?
Digging is common in younger dogs but often continues into adulthood, so training is essential rather than relying on them to outgrow it. Digging holes is something that’s often more common in younger dogs (6 months to 2 years).
How do I stop my puppy from digging?
To stop a puppy from digging, increase physical exercise and mental stimulation, provide a designated “dig pit” to satisfy their natural instinct, and use deterrents like fencing or rocks on unwanted digging spots. You should also supervise your puppy more, and avoid punishment, instead redirecting them to acceptable activities.
What breed of dog is prone to digging?
Thick-coated Northern breeds like the Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky may be especially prone to this. Pregnant females may also be inclined to dig as part of their denning instinct. And just as dogs dig to look for food, they will dig to bury things, too. This caching behavior is a throwback to that wolf heritage.