The ideas on this subject vary greatly. Some think doggies are doggies and being so should be free to express themselves. If this means they need to dig, so be it. Other believe a dog must be taught there are appropriate places for him to be and digging in their garden is not one of them.

My opinion is somewhere in the middle; although it’s a natural thing for dogs to want to dig, and it’s healthy to allow them to do this from time to time, there is no reason that flowers and dogs can’t coexist peacefully in a yard. However, it may take a little effort on your part to get this accomplished.

So for now, you are here for a reason – you have a dog that digs and want to know what to do about it. You are probably too far down the dog ownership road to tell you that some dogs are known for digging, like Huskies, Malamutes and Terriers. However, if you are in the research stage, this is good information to put in your file as you continue your search for your one and only dog.

First off, some explanations on why dogs dig.

1. Lack of exercise. Digging is a good way to burn off nervous energy.

2. Bored. Dogs like to have a job to do and if they don’t, digging is one job they will find to do.

3. The grass is always greener! There are dogs who are roamers and do not want any fence to stand in their way. Activity and attention do little to deter these guys.

So how do you stop this dog digging behavior?

Well there are some obvious solutions to the above reasons that they dig. If he’s not getting enough exercise, get more exercise for him. If he’s bored, give him something to do, like playing with you or some toys just for him.

Use a natural deterrent. Dogs hate to dig where there is their own poop – even if they occasionally eat it! (For more information on dog poop-eating, visit the website below) If it can be arranged for there to be dog poop where he likes to dig, that might help.

If this doesn’t work, what next? You’re just going to have to give him a place to dig, and train him to dig there and only there. There are ways to do this, even if you’ve got a very small yard, or the whole thing is just too dear to your heart to let him destroy!