How to Prevent a Dog From Digging the Lawn

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Ask yourself if it is possible that your dog may be bored. Bored dogs do things that are not up to human standards. One of the things they do is dig, so entertain your bored dog more often.
Step 2:
Stimulate your dog's intellectual development and agility by engaging in dog training activities. This type of stimulation may be all your dog needs to go outside and take a nap in the shade instead of digging up your lawn.
Step 3:
Observe your digging dog carefully to determine if there is some sort of prey that is enticing your dog to dig. If this is the case, examine options to discourage the prey's presence in your yard.
Step 4:
Look around your yard to be sure that your dog has adequate shelter. Some dogs dig because they are in search of shelter from the heat, cold or moisture. If there is not a good shelter, then provide your pet with a shelter.
Step 5:
Consider providing your dog with an approved digging area, especially if your dog is seeking a certain type of shelter. If the dog knows that digging is approved in a certain area, then you are likely to see digging lessen in other areas.
Step 6:
Watch your dog to see where the digging occurs. If your dog is digging near the fence line, then the dog may be trying to escape. You can prevent this type of digging by placing some rocks along the fence line and slightly under the ground.
Step 7:
Call your veterinarian to get a recommendation for a dog trainer. Training your dog will help with lots of behaviors including digging.

Tips & Warnings

Don't punish your dog for digging. Punishment after the fact may confuse your dog or make your dog more anxious.

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