There’s no reason why dogs dig under fences. Find out why your dog is digging and the best way to convince him to cease.
When your dog is digging, whether it’s a plethora of holes throughout your yard or even an escape hole in the fence.
It’s crucial to determine the reason your dog’s digging before taking action. Some pet parents are trying to comprehend the bizarre and sometimes bizarre digging behaviors.
Some are trying desperately to protect their garden. Many are also hoping to prevent their pet from running away under the fence.
There are many reasons for your dog to be digging, and knowing the fundamentals of why digging is the first step to tackling the behavior. Jennifer White, a behavior rehabilitation specialist at the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, offers her advice on keeping animals secure.
What is the Reason Dogs Dig Under Fences?
Some wild dog family members such as wolves and foxes build dens to house their pups. When you consider that these dogs naturally seek refuge in dens for security and safety. It’s not that surprising to see our domestic dogs exhibiting some of these behaviors.
Our pets share the desire to rest under and in areas that resemble a dwelling. They typically scratch the ground before sitting down, as if they’re looking for the perfect place for resting.
Dogs aren’t the only ones who enjoy digging, and they tend to dig to keep cool or warm because digging a hole or a den to lay in can help protect their bodies from cold or hot temperatures.
However, dogs often dig to entertain themselves (it’s simply fun!), put things in a sandbox, or even find animals.
Dogs might also dig when they’re stressed or want to get out of or escape from a yard, White points out, so finding out the reason for your dog’s digging behavior is an essential first step toward solving the issue.
How to Identify Why Your Dogs Dig Under Fence?
Controlling and reducing your dog’s digging behavior requires knowing why they’re digging. The best approach to tackle the issue is to determine the root of the issue.
Here are some typical methods to determine why your Dogs Dig Under Fences and what you can do to stop the behavior.
The Comfort Digger:
If your dog finds a hole, turns it several times, then lies down in it, then she’s a Comfort Digger. White mentions that pets’ ancestors dug holes to rest in. This is the same for our modern pets-primarily when no shelter can provide a warmer temperature than the outside air.
If you believe that your dog is either too warm or cold, think about making an insulated pet house in colder weather or providing shade in hot temperatures.
It is possible to plant trees to create shade or invite your dog to spend more time indoors when it’s cool or hot in the heat, many dogs like sitting or standing in a pool that is shallow to cool down, too.
The Happy Digger:
A dog that likes digging and randomly digs holes throughout the day, whether you’re at home or not, is probably a Happy Digger.
Certain dogs love digging for “good digging” and are often unable to distinguish when they’re in a barren area or in the garden you’ve spent so much time in.
If you’ve got areas of your yard that you want to be sure to protect, White suggests putting up an edging to prevent him from entering and monitoring him whenever there is access to the space.
This allows you to stop the behavior immediately and then guide him to a suitable spot where he is located.
Reward your dog with a treat and praise or two when he demonstrates the desired behavior, like digging in a suitable spot or just leaving the flower beds to themselves.
With Happy Diggers, who love digging for fun, It is best to provide them with a designated area to dig and then bury items in.
White suggests creating a pit for digging. Put some treats and things that your pet can find independently in the designated area to ensure that digging in the right place is enjoyable and reinforced.
It is the Boredom Digger:
Boredom Diggers are only digging when they’re left alone, typically for long durations. They may also be able to bark or chew while you’re away.
White suggests beating the blues of boredom by giving your additional dog activities to keep him entertained. Playing with the toy or tugging, or walking for long, snoozy walks will not only give your dog physical exercise but most importantly, it allows time with your pet.
Your dog should have lots of chew toys, and food-dispensing toys that keep them entertained will distract them from your absence and stimulate the mind of your dog’s best friend.
Break off long hours by employing a pet walker or going to doggy daycare at least every week in case he is a fan of being with other dogs. In any case, the best method to reduce boredom digging can be to ensure that you keep your pet engaged and stimulated mentally.
The Hunting Digger:
If your dog has been barking or whining or is wholly fixed on the ground, they’re probably focused on a rodent’s tail. They are likely to dig while hunting. The best method to deal with your dog’s Hunting Digger is with supervision.
Interrupt the hunting-related behavior that is fixed before your dog begins to dig or keep her entertained with a game when you can. It is also possible to move your dog inside and direct your dog’s attention towards play or a food-dispensing chew toy or toy.
It’s also helpful to figure out ways to keep animals from stepping into your yard, as well as make your dog less likely to run after them and then get them out of the way.
The Escaping Digger:
Some dogs have a strong desire to be in the wild and may try to get under fences to escape from a yard. The best method of reducing this kind of digging is to provide your dog with vigorous exercises.
The purpose of more Exercise is to tire your dog slightly more, which is why games like tug and fetch are a great way to burn off some extra energy, in addition to taking a walk together. White suggests a bit of DIY inventiveness to help keep your dog in a secure area.
Reinforce the soil near the fence with cement on it or dig up chicken wire to prevent digging. Also, since male dogs that aren’t neutered often be drawn to female dogs of the nearby area when they are in the heat, she suggests pet owners consider fixing to lessen the risk of them wandering.
Anxious Digger:
If your dog displays behaviors like whining, pacing, and panting when you leave, your dog may be trying to escape because of anxiety. Anxious diggers are known to bark and chew at entry points and exits.
If your dog exhibits signs of severe fear of separation, I strongly recommend seeking out an expert to determine the best method to ease your dog’s anxiety.
A certified pet dog trainer (CPDT) and a certified applied animal behaviorist (CAAB and Associate CAAB), as well as your veterinarian, can give you better advice on how to make your dog relax in a quiet environment.
Whatever kind or amount of digging your dog is involved in, there are various options to address the issue. It’s always a good idea to consult your vet or a trained behaviorist who can assist you in identifying your dog’s behavior.
It is crucial to avoid punishment or to scold your dog who is digging, as digging can happen for a long before seeing the evidence resulting from it. It’s hard for the dog to grasp why he’s getting punished.
Also, scolding or punishing an animal after an incident is not likely to stop the behavior. It will only make your dog feel uncomfortable.
Instead, it would help if you tried to figure out the reasons behind your dog’s desire to dig and make adjustments to the environment around your dog to prevent unnecessary digging.
How can you Prevent the Dogs from Dig Under the Fence?
Once you’ve figured out the things you are not you should do, let’s take a look at the things you could try to do that work.
1. Discover the Reason Why do Dogs Dig Under Fences?
The first thing you should do is discover the motives that your dog’s behavior is based on. Is he one of those breeds of dog for which digging is a part of their nature?
Are they young and have an excessive amount of energy? Do you think he is experiencing anxiety about leaving? Or is he trying to escape due to reasons?
If you understand why Dogs Dig Under Fences, you can use the right methods to end the problem to everyone’s advantage.
2. Set Up a Digging Zone:
This strategy is especially effective when your dog is a natural-born digger and the other repellents don’t work.
This method gives him a place in which it’s safe to dig, and he won’t be able to get away. This gives him an outlet for his behavior, and you’ll be able to ensure his safety.
You can show your pet friend you want him to go by making sure that the digging space is in loose soil or a sandbox. You can then bury toys and other safe objects in the dirt to be found by him. When he discovers them, be sure to give him plenty of praise.
Suppose your dog tries to dig in a place where there is no reason for him to say “No Dig!” using a firm high voice or an excessive noise. Take him to the area where he was digging and thank him for digging in the area.
You could also make areas that he isn’t supposed to dig ugly by covering the area using chicken wire or big rocks. Once you know where your digging site is, it is possible to remove the covers and return your landscape to its original appearance.
3. Make Sure Your Dog Gets Plenty of Exercises:
Frisbee. If you think your dog is seeking amusement, ensure that he is getting enough Exercise. You should take him for walks every day at least two times and engage him in play using toys such as frisbees.
It’s also an excellent idea to speak with a dog trainer to help your dog learn various tricks or other actions. This will keep the dog engaged, especially if an older dog is a great way to burn off some of the energy.
If you’re not there, be sure that your pet has safe toys or a treats dispenser to keep him entertained. This will give him something to keep him busy other than digging in the fence or different areas in the backyard.
4. Fencing Burrowing Animals Humanely out of Your Yard:
If you suspect that your dog is hunting, you’ll need to be able to keep animals that burrow out of your backyard. Please don’t make use of any poisonous substance to kill them, as it can be dangerous to pets.
It is possible to try a capsicum blend to ward away the rodents that are always a menace. This can keep them from your garden and reduce your dog’s digging habits.
It is also possible to use the chain-link fence or lay chicken wire at about six inches along the perimeter to stop the dogs from entering.
5. Salute the Good and Ignore the Bad:
If your dog seems to be digging to make you attentive to him, then it is possible to spend more time with him. It would help if you also took your dog for a walk at least two times a day.
If you’re sure, you’re giving him enough time. You’ll want to look for other ways to stop him from digging. First, let him go with his negative behavior and provide him with praise when he’s doing well.
Make sure that he has lots of toys for dogs. Spend time with him playing with those toys. This will help him understand that being a good dog brings him the attention she craves.
So you can leave when you go you can leave the toys, and he’ll be able to associate them with you.
