[Todd]

Hi there and thank you for your question.

Digging is a very pleasurable experience for dogs and so in itself is not a bad thing. It only gets bad when it gets out of hand which it seems it may have in your situation. So i will try to give you some pointers to help.

Firstly i think alpha training is very important. Here are some important points on alpha training-
1) If you come across your dog while he is sleeping or lying on the floor then you can reinforce your position as alpha dog by making him move away from where you want to go, no the other way around.
2) Make sure that you always go through doorways first. Try reinforcing your position as alpha dog is to walk your dog around the house on the leash, making your dog wait while you walk through doorways first.
3) At mealtimes make sure that your dog or dogs eat after all of the humans have.
4) When your dog wants to go outside for a walk, make it sit and wait until you are ready to go

General canine obedience is very important and he should be trained to sit, stay and heel on command. These will help reinforce your position (and his).


A major thing that can help in these situations is to give your dog more exercise. A tired dog won't dig. Take him for 30 minute brisk walks or runs twice a day if possible to try and burn off some extra energy.

I think it is important to reprimand him so that he learns that digging is not okay. Spend some time every day, quietly following your dog, so that your dog believes it is alone and free to do as it pleases. The aim being that you want to catch it in the act!

Startle and reprimand your dog as soon as it starts to dig something. The best way to do this is by shaking a can (like a soda can) of pebbles, and barge in growling menacingly. The dog will (if the startle has been performed correctly) slink away, tail between its legs, or roll onto its back submissively. Make sure the growl is a harsh guttural growl like "AAHH!" or "GRRRRR" rather then "NO!" as this makes a sharper noise.

Preventing Digging-
Prevention cannot happen over night and requires time. While you are altering his behavour it is best to prevent him getting to the areas he likes to dig as this will only reinforce digging as being acceptable and ruin your backyard. He won't always have to be confined, only till his behaviour has been fixed.

Methods to Prevent Digging-
-Digging Pits
These are a great idea as they allow the dog an area to expend some energy and have fun. Pits should not be in direct sunlight but neither should they be in a cold wet corner. A pit 3x6 feet and 2 feet deep is ideal. Let him watch and help build the pit as this will arouse his interest, teach him what the pit is and ensourage him to use it. Give him lots of praise when he shows an interest in the pit. A command like "Dig in your pit" should be used when he goes near the pit, try buring his facourite toys or treats in the pit. When he finds the toys praise him, play with the toy, all the time repeating "Dig in your pit". Repeat this over and over. You can test to see if he understands by letting him out and telling him to "Dig in your pit", i he goes to his pit praise him and reward him.
Once he starts using the pit you must keep encouraging him to use it, bury special treats in the pit and praise him whenever he shows an interest in the pit.

Once he understands it is acceptable to dig in his pit then you must discourage digging elsewhere. Areas should be demarcated that are forbidden eg flower gardens with a few sticks and a piece of string. This isnt meant to stop him only discourage him. so you must sit and watch and every time he goes near it warn him away by saying "NO". If he steps inside the area scorn him till all 4 legs are out then immediately praise him.

- You can try buring baloons in areas him likes to dig so he gets a fright when he digs but this may create a lot of fear.

I think combining a digging pit with more exercise will help a lot. Don't despair it will take time, be patient. Good luck and let me know how things go.

Kind regards

Todd Field