Digging is a natural behaviour for dogs, but it can be frustrating when your garden ends up full of holes. The key is to work out why your dog is digging. Once you know the cause, you can choose the right solution.

Common reasons dogs dig

• To escape – dogs with separation anxiety or generalised anxiety may dig under fences to look for their people

• To mate – intact dogs often try to escape to find a mate

• To keep cool – shallow holes create cool, damp spots on hot days

• In response to sounds – running water in pipes or underground movement can trigger digging

• To bury or retrieve items – hiding or recovering bones and toys

• For fun or boredom – especially puppies and under-stimulated dogs

Recognising anxiety-related digging

Look for other signs that point to anxiety:

Generalised anxiety

• Tail tucked, trembling, pacing or panting

• Hiding, startle response or over-reacting to noises

Separation anxiety

• Following you constantly

• Becoming agitated when you prepare to leave

• Big, frantic greeting when you return

If anxiety is present, address that first. Some dogs benefit from behaviour plans and, in selected cases, medication.

Practical solutions for digging

1. Provide a cool spot
   If your dog digs to cool down, offer alternatives: a clam-shell pool, a damp sand or soil area in the shade, access to cool indoor flooring, and plenty of fresh water.

2. Desex your dog
   If hormonal drive is behind escape digging, desexing can significantly reduce the behaviour. For entire males, add secure fencing and consider an underground dig barrier such as buried pavers, sleepers or heavy-gauge mesh set 30 to 60 mm below the surface along fence lines.

3. Create a designated digging zone
   Many dogs simply love to dig. Give them a “legal” spot:

• Use a sandpit or a framed bed of soft soil

• Bury toys or treats to make it rewarding

• Praise and play when they dig in the right place

• If they start elsewhere, calmly redirect to the dig pit

4. Increase exercise and enrichment
   Aim for at least 20 minutes of active play or exercise twice daily, plus brain work:

• Walks, fetch, tug, basic obedience, trick training

• Puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, frozen Kongs

• Short training bursts spread through the day

5. Manage bones and high-value items
   If your dog buries bones, avoid giving long-lasting chew items in the yard or supervise and remove when finished.

6. Use deterrents thoughtfully
   If digging persists in specific spots:

• Lay gravel, pavers or garden mesh just under the surface in problem areas

• Temporarily fence off new plantings

• Motion-activated sprinklers can help for some yards

Note on balloons: burying balloons to “pop” can deter some dogs, but it may frighten noise-sensitive dogs and balloon fragments can be a choking hazard. Safer surface changes or barriers are preferred.

What not to do

Punishment does not work. Yelling or hosing teaches your dog to dig when you are not around and can increase anxiety. Positive redirection and prevention are more effective long term.

The bottom line

Digging is normal, but manageable. Identify the cause, meet your dog’s needs, and provide an approved place to dig. With enrichment, training and smart yard design, you can protect your garden and keep your dog happy.

If you’re concerned about anxiety-driven digging or need help with behaviour management, I can assess your dog at home and guide you on the best solutions.

📞 Call Dr Terri’s Home Vet Visits on 0430 410 283 to book an in-home consult across the Sunshine Coast.

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