How To Stop Dog Digging And Save Your Garden

Do you love your dog but hate the fact that he’s digging holes in your garden?  Are you tired of seeing your hard work being dug up as your pup happily pulls out your plants?  Find out how you can stop dog digging in your garden.  

Why Dogs Dig In Gardens

The answer is because it’s just so much fun.  Your pup views your garden as a wonderful playground, just chock-full of incredibly interesting things.  There’s loose dirt to paw through in search of mice and moles.  If he finds some little creature, it just reinforces his urge to keep digging holes to find something else.  

If you use manure as fertilizer, he’s probably attracted to the smell.  

But the best part is that you’re digging in the dirt, too.  He’s probably happy that this is something you can do together.  Plus he gets lots of attention from you when he’s digging.  He doesn’t care whether it’s good or bad.  To a canine, it’s all the same.

How Can You Stop Dog Digging?

In the wild, canines store food by digging holes and burying it for later.  They also dig dens for shelter, and for their puppies.  The urge to dig is instinctive in your buddy, so you’re not going to completely eradicate this behavior.    

Often, the best way to deal with this dog behavior problem is to give him his own place to dig.  You may want to set aside a corner of the yard just for him, or even make a digging pit for him.  When you catch him digging in your garden, or another place that’s off-limits, tell him “NO” loudly, and redirect him to his own digging area.  Encourage him to dig there, and praise him when he does.  

Don’t make the mistake of punishing your dog after the fact.  You need to catch him in the act, or he won’t understand what you’re so upset about.  Your pooch lives in the present, and the fact that he dug a hole in your garden yesterday doesn’t mean a thing to him.

When you’re working in the garden, keep a water pistol handy.  You’ll want one that you can aim and fire over a long distance.  When your dog starts digging, squirt him in the face, making sure he doesn’t know you’re doing it.  This is very effective because he’ll think the garden is doing it to him, not you.  This will prevent him from digging in the garden when you’re gone.

Mix some chili powder with water and water your plants with this solution.  Canines hate the smell of chili powder and will leave the plant alone.  Putting dry red pepper around your plants can help, too.  Check at your local pet store for aversives like bitter apple spray.  

A Bored Dog Is The Number One Reason For Dog Behavior Problems

The best way to prevent problem digging is to keep your pet occupied.  He needs long walks every day to burn off his energy.  A change of scenery and the opportunity to investigate his neighborhood gives him something to think about, other than digging.

Another way to deal with problem digging, especially when you’re gone, is to give your dog a toy that you can stuff with peanut butter or another favorite treat.  He’ll stay busy for a long time, trying to get the food out of the toy.

One of the best ways to stimulate your buddy’s mind is to spend ten minutes a day training him.  Your canine loves to learn new things, and it’s a good way to give him positive attention.   

Your next step is to put this advice into action, and stop dog digging to save your garden.