Why does my dog dig at the fence?

Is your dog proving to be quite the escape artist and likes to dig under the fence to explore the neighborhood? Learn why your dog digs and how you can discourage him from doing it in the future.

Why Dogs Dig under Fences

The best way to discourage your dog from digging in the future is to have an understanding of why he is doing it in the first place. First off, it’s important to understand that digging is part of a dog’s natural behavior so it’s unfair to prevent them from doing it at all.

1. Your Dog is Bored
Are you giving your dog enough exercise both physically and mentally? Your dog might be digging under the fence because he’s bored and he is willing to go pass any obstacle to have the opportunity to explore the outside world. A dog that’s given plenty of exercise won’t feel the same urge.

Make sure your dog is being given an appropriate amount of exercise in accordance to his breed profile. For example, golden retrievers are large balls of energy so they’ll need at minimum a solid hour of exercise per day if you don’t want them to engage in an undesirable behavior.

2. Something Caught Your Dog’s Attention
Something or someone beyond the fence is catching your dog’s attention. It could be something as innocent as a squirrel or something that your dog perceives as an incoming threat to his territory.

Spend some time observing your dog’s behavior when he spends time in the backyard. Setting up an outdoor camera may also help you identify the thing that is triggering your dog to dig under the fence (please check your state’s camera surveillance law before you do this).

3. Marking his Territory
While small, there is also a possibility that digging is a way for your dog to mark his territory, especially if neighborhood dogs regularly pass by the fence. It’s a fairly common behavior for dogs to kick the ground after they urinate or defecate.

Stopping a Dog from Digging under the Fence

Here are certain steps you can take to discourage your dog from digging in the future.

1. Talk with Your Neighbor
In some cases, it’s not your dog that’s the problem. It could be your neighbor’s. Reach out to them directly and determine how you can resolve the issue of the dogs digging a shared fence. Try and document as much of the communication as possible in case there are legal repercussions down the road.

2. Lay Chicken Wire along the Fence
This is an affordable solution that doesn’t require too much labor. Dig a shallow trench along the inside of the fence then place the chicken wire inside it. Some dogs may stop digging because they can’t tolerate the feeling of the chicken wire on their paws.

3. Cover Existing Holes with Brick
Has your dog already created a few holes underneath the fence? Fill it with bricks or cinder blocks. Your dog will just create the same hole again if you cover it with the same dirt the dog just dug out.

4. Offer an Alternative Digging Spot
Create a space in an isolated corner of the yard where your dog is free to dig and fulfill his natural instincts. You could create your own inexpensive digging pit by filling a kiddie pool with sand and dead grass. Make sure you poke a few holes on the bottom of the kiddie pool so water can easily drain out.

5. Apply Red Pepper Powder
Sprinkle a generous amount of red pepper powder along the perimeter of the fence. Re-apply the pepper powder once every two or three weeks. Your dog will want to stay away from the fence once he gets a good sniff of the powder.

6. Bury Some Dog Poop
Don’t throw away the dog poop! Bury some of it along the perimeter of the fence. You can also fill existing holes with dog poop before they are re-filled with dirt. Dogs just don’t like to dig up their own feces.

Types of Dog Fences

In some situations, you may need to replace your existing fence with another fence that’s taller, sturdier, or deeper into the ground. Here are the most common types of fences that dog owners deal with.

Invisible Dog Fences
Also known as underground fences or electric fences, invisible dog fences are essentially cables that are installed underground along the boundary of the yard.

When a dog gets too close to the boundary, the invisible fence collar the dog wears will deliver a warning sound or a tiny electric shock to deter the dog from going beyond the yard. You may need to train your dog for invisible fences to work effectively.

Chain-Link Dog Fences
Chain-link fences are affordable and easy to install. They, however, aren’t suitable for homeowners with large dogs or dogs that love to climb or dig frequently. Some people have had success dog-proofing their chain-link fences by burying chicken-wire along the base of the fence.

Wooden Dog Fences
The cost and durability of wooden faces will vary based on the type of wood the fence is made of. Certain types of wood may provide additional benefits (e.g. cedar may help repel pests like ticks).

Disclaimer: The content on MyPetChild.com is for informational purpose only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian when in doubt.

There's no one reason that dog love to dig. Identify why your dog digs and how to get her to stop.

If your dog is digging—whether it's holes all over your yard, or an escape hatch under the fence—it's important to identify the reasons why your dog is digging before addressing the behavior. Some pet parents are simply trying to understand the strange, sometimes random-seeming digging behavior. Others are desperately trying to save their garden. And still more are hoping to keep their dog from escaping under the fence. 

While there are many reasons why your dog might be digging, understanding the basics of why dogs dig is the first step in managing the habit. Jennifer White, a behavior rehabilitation specialist from the ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center, offers her advice on how to help keep pets (and your yard!) safe.

Why Do Dogs Dig?

"Some wild dog relatives, like foxes and wolves, dig dens to raise their young," White notes. With these canine relatives instinctively resorting to dens for protection and comfort, it's not surprising when we see our domestic dogs sharing some of those behaviors. "Our pet dogs share the desire to sleep in and under things that resemble a den," says White. "They often dig at the ground and circle before lying down, as though they're trying to make a softer resting place."

Some dogs simply love to dig, and tend to do so when they're trying to stay warm or cool, as digging a hole or den to rest in can protect them from hot or cold weather. But often, dogs dig for entertainment (it's just fun!) or to bury things, and even to hunt down animals. "Dogs may also dig when they're anxious or to escape a yard," White points out, "so identifying the cause of your dog's digging is an important first step to addressing the behavior."

Identifying Why Your Dog Digs

Managing and reducing your pup's digging habit requires understanding why they're digging, as the best way to address the behavior varies based on the reason. Here are some common ways to identify what makes your dog dig, and how to counter the behavior.

The Comfort Digger

If your dog digs a hole, circles a few times, and lays down in it, she's a Comfort Digger. White points out that our dogs' ancestors would dig holes to sleep in. The same goes for today's companion canines—especially if there's no shelter with a milder temperature to offer than the air outside. "If you suspect your dog is too warm or too cold, consider providing an insulated dog house in cold weather, or providing more shade in hot weather." You can plant a tree to create more shade, or simply encourage your dog to spend more time inside when it's hot or cold. In extreme heat, many dogs enjoy standing or sitting in a shallow pool to cool off, too. 

The Happy Digger

A pup that simply seems to enjoy digging, and randomly digs deep holes at all times of the day, whether you're home or not, is most likely a Happy Digger. Some dogs just enjoy a "good dig," and often don't differentiate between digging in a barren dirt area or the vegetable garden you've worked so hard on. If you have areas of the yard you'd like to protect, White suggests putting up a low fence to keep him out, and supervising him when he has access to the area. "This will allow you to interrupt the behavior right away, and redirect him to a more appropriate spot, if one exists," she notes. "Reward your dog with praise and a treat or two when he performs a desired behavior such as digging in an appropriate place or simply leaving your flower beds alone."

With Happy Diggers who clearly enjoy digging as a hobby, it might be best to give them a designated spot to dig and bury things in. White suggests building a digging pit. Bury some treats and treasures for your dog to discover on his own in the designated spot to make digging in the correct area fun and reinforcing.

The Boredom Digger

Boredom Diggers only dig when left alone, often for long periods of time. They might also bark or chew while you're gone. White recommends beating those boredom blues by giving your dog some more stimulating things to do. "Playing fetch or tug and going for longer sniffy walks can not only provide physical stimulation, but more importantly, offers quality time with you," she notes.

Giving your pup plenty of chew toys and food-dispensing toys to keep them busy will help take their mind off your absence, and help engage the mind of your canine best friend. "Break up long days by hiring a dog walker or taking your dog to doggy daycare once or twice a week, if he enjoys the company of other canines," White suggests. Either way, the best way to curb boredom digging is to keep your furry friend entertained and mentally stimulated.

The Hunting Digger

If your dog is barking and whining, and inexplicably focused on the ground, they are likely fixated on a rodent trail. These dogs are inclined to dig when hunting. The best way to address the Hunting Digger is with supervision, White explains. "Interrupt fixated hunting behavior before your dog starts to dig and either distract her with play, if possible." You can also move indoors, and redirect your dog's attention to play or a food dispensing toy or chew. It would also be useful to find ways to deter the ground critters from coming into your yard, and eliminating your dog's desire to chase them down and dig them up.

The Escaping Digger

Some dogs have a keen sense of adventure, and will try to dig under a fence to escape a yard. The best way to curb this type of digging is with plenty of more vigorous exercise. The goal with increased activity is to wear your dog out a bit more, so games like fetch and tug can help burn off extra energy, as well as going for a run together. White also recommends a little DIY ingenuity to help keep your dog enclosed. "Reinforce the ground near your fence by pouring cement or burying chicken wire to discourage digging," White says. And since male dogs who are not neutered will often seek out neighborhood female dogs in heat, she advises pet parents to consider neutering to reduce the likelihood of roaming.  

The Anxious Digger

If your dog exhibits behavior like whining, pacing, and panting before you leave the house, he or she might be digging to escape because of anxiety. Anxious Diggers often chew and bark at entrances and exits. If your pup is showing signs of severe separation anxiety, White strongly recommends consulting with a qualified professional to find the best way to relieve your pup's anxiety. "A Certified Pet Dog Trainer (CPDT) or a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or Associate CAAB) and your veterinarian [can provide] guidance in helping your dog feel more relaxed when left alone," White suggests.

No matter the type of digging your dog is engaged in, there are plenty of ways to help address it—and it's always a great idea to seek help from your veterinarian or a certified behaviorist who can help you understand your dog's behavior. Most importantly, it's essential that you avoid scolding or punishing a dog for digging, since digging often happens hours before you find the resulting evidence and it's difficult for your dog to understand why he's being punished. Plus, scolding and punishing a dog after the fact is unlikely to curb the behavior, and will instead scare or upset your pup. Instead, try to understand what's causing your dog to dig, and adjust your pup's environment to keep them from all of that unnecessary excavating.