How to Prevent Your Dog From Digging – Part 2

Posted by Jeanne on June 15, 2009

Dog Picture

In no particular order, here are some of the more common reasons that a dog will dig:

Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way for a hyped-up, under-exercised dog to burn off some of that nervous energy.
Boredom. Bored dogs need a “job” to do, something rewarding and interesting, to help the time pass by.
Digging is often the ideal solution for a bored dog: it gives him a sense of purpose, and distracts him from an otherwise-empty day.
The need for broader horizons. Some dogs are just escape artists by nature – no matter how much exercise and attention they get, it’s nearly impossible to confine them. For a four-legged Houdini, it’s not the digging in itself that’s the reward, it’s the glorious unknown that exists beyond the fence line.
Separation anxiety. To a dog that’s seriously pining for your company, digging under those confining walls represents the most direct path to you. Separation anxiety is an unpleasant psychological issue relatively common among dogs – but because it’s so complex, we won’t be dealing with it in this blog post.

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