Why Dogs Dig
Dogs dig for many reasons:

• Laying in a cool hole brings relief from the heat.
• Burying treasure, such as a bone.
• Investigating an interesting smell – in fact, terriers are ‘hardwired’ to dig up moles and other rodents.
• Releasing pent-up energy or alleviating boredom.

How to Deal With Digging Dogs
If you’d like to stop your dog from digging, there are two ways to approach it: Redirect the behavior to a more desirable place or try to stop it entirely. You may want to try a combination of these ideas:

• In warm weather, make sure your dog has a cool, shady spot to rest and plenty of water – better yet, bring your dog indoors.
• To discourage future digs, bury a little of your dog’s waste just below the surface when you fill in the hole. If your dog digs in the same spot, he will find the waste. This often is enough to discourage digging.
• If you catch your dog in the act of inappropriate digging, a sharp ‘Leave It!’ followed by a command such as ‘Come’ and praise for compliance will help distract and refocus your dog.
• Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and time with you. Being alone in the backyard does not qualify as exercise. Walks, games of fetch, and romps with other dogs will provide alternative activities for your dog.
• Do not leave your dog outside unattended for long periods - that invites digging. If he must be left outside for a time, be sure to provide plenty of toys.
• To redirect the behavior (something to consider for digging-prone dogs like terriers), you can build a sandbox for your dog. Bury toys just under the surface and reward your dog when he digs in the right area and finds his treasure.

Do’s and Don’ts
Do give your dog plenty of exercise every day. Do keep him with you as much as possible. Do use commands to direct your dog to behaviors you want then reward him. Don’t punish your dog when you find holes. Your dog won’t associate the punishment with the crime.