YOUR DOG'S BEST LIFE

Everything your dog needs to live a happy and active life.

  • Club Services

    • Daycare
    • Overnight
    • Pricing
    • Become a Member
  • Dog Training & Sports

    • Dog Training
    • Training Partners
    • Set up Consultation
    • Group Classes
    • Book Classes Online

Login Club Services

Login Sports & Training

About
Blog: Off the Leash
Questions? Let’s Talk!
contact@fitdog.com (310) 828 - 3647
Follow us on Social Media:
Login: Daycare/Boarding
Login: Training/Classes
  • Beat Boredom
    • Enrichment
    • Exercise
      • Hiking
      • Running
  • Caring for Dog
    • Boarding
    • Daycare / Pet Sitting
    • Grooming
    • Products & Gear
  • Dog Training
    • Puppy
  • Dog-Friendly
    • Events
    • Holidays
      • Christmas
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • Local
    • Recipes
    • Travel
  • Health & Wellness
    • Food & Diet
    • Safety
  • Just for Fun
    • Gifts
    • Sincerely, Fitdog
      • Press
    • Spotlight
    • Trends
(310) 828 - 3647

How to stop your dog from digging

Save your yard with these tips!

Collapse

Related Posts:

Mysterious Dog Illness: Everything you need to know
November 23, 2023
The 5 Best Dog Harnesses for Safety
February 23, 2023
Dog Parks: Harmful or Helpful?
December 12, 2022
Your Complete Guide to The Most Dog-Friendly National Parks
July 01, 2022
The Best Dog-Friendly Airlines and Their Pet Policies
June 09, 2022
Five tips to follow when bringing a new pet home
November 04, 2023
Beginner’s Guide to Lure Coursing
November 03, 2021
Deadly Disease: Why Lepto Should be a Core Vaccine
July 21, 2021
The 7 Best Podcasts for Dog Lovers
May 27, 2021
5 Benefits of Teaching Your Dog How to Swim
April 09, 2021
5 tips to re-socializing your dog after the pandemic
February 26, 2021
5 Animal Non-Profits to Donate to This Holiday Season
December 18, 2020
7 Dog-Friendly Thanksgiving Foods
November 26, 2020
10 Best Dog Photography Tips
October 27, 2020
Importance of Developmental Based Dog Training
October 21, 2020
Complete guide to treating dog allergies
September 15, 2020
Overweight Dogs: COVID-19 Made My Dog Fat!
August 19, 2020
Best Pet Tech Products 2020
August 15, 2020
How to modify your home for an elderly pet
July 09, 2020
Frozen Dog Treats for Summer: 4 Pupsicle Recipes to Treat your Dog
July 03, 2020
Dog scared of fireworks? Prepare your dog for 4th of July fireworks before …
June 26, 2022
Stop your puppy from biting with stuffables
September 29, 2023
Socializing Your Dog After COVID-19
June 14, 2020
Dog-Friendly Camping: 8 Pet Friendly Campgrounds in California
June 09, 2020
7 Best Easy DIY Dog Treat Recipes
May 26, 2020
Train and Play Philosophy
May 18, 2020
Four Ways You Can Help Shelters & Rescues During COVID-19
April 08, 2020
Easy indoor exercises for dogs
March 28, 2020
Meet the Women of Fitdog!
March 08, 2023
Fitdog 2020 Valentines to Benefit Guidry’s Guardian Foundation
February 03, 2020
Categories:
  • Dog-Friendly

Digging is a perfectly natural dog behavior that is oftentimes seen as problematic. Whether they’re digging up your couch cushions or digging in your garden, digging is a normal and often hard habit to break. So the question is, how do you stop your dog from digging? But also, should you?

Dogs have been digging long before they became domesticated and teamed up to live in our human world alongside us.  Oftentimes, we find these natural dog behaviors to be a nuisance, after all- having Rocket dig up your brand new tomato plants isn’t exactly desirable. But what if instead of looking at this behavior as an issue of right/wrong and started looking at it from a perspective of canine needs?

Most problematic behaviors stem from a dog’s biological and natural needs not being met. From chewing to chasing, these behaviors are instinctive to all dogs and become more prevalent when they are frustrated, tired and bored.

If you are noticing an increase in “problematic behaviors,” especially digging, consider trying these instinctual enrichment based activities to give your dogs a safe and designated outlet to meet their doggy needs.

Provide a Designated “DIG ZONE”

 

A dig pit is an inexpensive and quick solution to providing your dog their own outlet to express their digging needs. You can use a raised plant bed or plastic pool and some sand to build a doggy sandbox where they can hide and bury all their treasures. Sand is easier to dig in and more enjoyable for your dog. PRO TIP: Use a tarp to prevent auxiliary digging next to the dig pit and for easy clean up!

Build a Ball Pit!


 

Don’t have access to a yard to build a dig pit, try building a ball pit instead. Ball pits are indoor friendly, create minimal mess and are easy to clean up and store. Toss treats or your dog’s food into the ball pit for a fun foraging game. You can buy a ball pit here.

DIY Digging Enrichment Game


 

This simple game lets you upcycle your delivery boxes and your old towels! Simply save a large delivery box (big enough for your dog to put their front feet in) fold/or roll treats into an old towel and place in the box. Voila! Let the digging, scavenging and foraging begin! Total cost: 5 minutes of your time.

Purchase a Dig Toy



Have you heard of the Idig? It’s the world’s first digging toy for dogs. With two options available this toy is suitable for dogs of all sizes and weights. Perfect for small living spaces with no access to the outdoors. This self contained toy can hide treats and toys inside for hours of fun digging for your dog.

 

 

You’ll find that adding in instinct based enrichment not only minimizes the appearance of the targeted unwanted behavior but of additional behavioral anomalies that are actually the result of under stimulation and boredom. What other behaviors do you see that you think you could replace with appropriate outlets? Follow us on Instagram and show us your digging enrichment! 

 

Have more training questions? Schedule a consultation with one of our certified training experts today. With virtual sessions available, we can help you and your pup wherever you’re at!

Fitdog Logo
Andrea Servadio

Last updated on May 17, 2022
What’s next?
The Best Dog-Friendly Airlines and Their Pet Policies

Summer travel is coming back! If you’re looking to fly with your dog this summer, but you’re unsure where to begin, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve found all the best dog-friendly airlines to travel with this...

read more
More from Off The Leash:
Ways to Help Those Impacted by Los Angeles Fires
January 09, 2025
Top 5 Myths About Separation Anxiety in Dogs
March 12, 2024
Mysterious Dog Illness: Everything you need to know
November 23, 2023
More Fitdog
Fitdog Home
Blog: Off the Leash
About
Employment
Contact Us
Club Services
  • Daycare
  • Overnight
  • Pricing
  • Become a Member
Training & Sports
  • Dog Training
  • Group Classes
  • Book Classes Online
  • Set up a Training Consultation
Located at 1712 21st Street, Santa Monica, CA

Transportation available in Santa Monica, Mar Vista, Palms, Cheviot Hills, West LA, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades

In home training available throughout Los Angeles

Follow us:

contact@fitdog.com
(310) 828 - 3647
Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions
© 2018-2023 Fitdog. All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by
Employment Inquiry
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
What position are you applying for? *
Select your highest level of education *
Let us know about your animal experience (Select any that apply) *
Please do not include care or training of your own dog or pet.
Are you at least 18 years old? *
Do you have a California driver's license? *
How did you learn about Fitdog? *
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
(pdf, doc, png, jpeg, jpg up to 1MB)
Loading