How To Stop Puppies From Digging – Stop Puppy Digging Tips
Not only can your puppy’s digging leave unsightly holes in your yard or garden but these holes can also be dangerous, resulting in a serious fall causing sprains and even broken bones.
In order to stop your puppy from digging you need to first look at where he is digging and why.
Why Puppies Dig
Dogs and puppies dig for basically 4 reasons. They either are seeking shelter, seeking attention, are bored or they simply like to dig.
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In order to stop your puppy from digging you need to know why he is digging. Look at where and when he usually does most of his digging.
If your puppy is kept in a fenced in play yard when he is outside with you and is doing a lot of digging in his play yard, check where he is digging and what his actions are. If your puppy is digging in a corner or even the center of the play yard and then laying in the hole he has dug, chances are he is seeking shelter either from the elements or from something that is making him nervous or frightened.
Make sure your puppy has adequate shelter. Something that will protect him from both heat and cold as well as rain and snow. Make sure he has plenty of cold water to drink so he does not get overheated. If his shelter is fine, then check the area around his pen. Are there loud noises or a lot of unfamiliar traffic that could be making him nervous. If so, you may have to move the play yard to a more secure area to stop the puppy from digging.
If shelter does not seem to be the problem then stop to consider if you are spending enough time playing with your puppy. Puppies need a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation. They also need a lot of attention. Playing with him for 30 minutes or so a couple of times a day by throwing a ball or stick for him to chase will meet both his need for attention and exercise. Meeting these two needs may stop your puppy from digging or at least cut down on how often he digs.
Sometimes, puppies dig simply because they are bored and need more mental stimulation. Making sure they have plenty of toys in the yard to play with can help to stimulate them mentally. Treat puzzles that make them work to figure out how to get a treat they want can keep them busy for long periods of time and stop the puppy from digging, by providing them with something more interesting to do.
Whenever you catch your puppy in the act of digging, reprimand them with a sharp “No” and give them a toy to play with. Soon they should get the message that digging is not acceptable.
Providing your puppy with a safe shelter, plenty of attention, exercise and mental stimulation as well as discouraging him from digging whenever you catch him, should in the end stop your puppy from digging. Just keep in mind it will take some time and a lot of effort on your part but will be worth it in the end.
