How to Keep My Dogs From Digging Out of the Backyard

We all love our dogs, but they have a few habits we wish we could stop. One of the most troublesome habits is digging. Your dog only needs a few minutes to uproot a garden you've been working so hard on. Fortunately, you can employ several natural remedies to help stop this destructive habit. Most importantly, understand why your dog is digging. This information will help you determine the most effective solution.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog leash
  • Humane rodent trap
  • Pepper
  • Citronella oil
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Walk or play with your dog at least 30 minutes a day if your dog is a high energy breed (such as most terriers) and doesn't receive regular exercise. In these situations, the digging stems from boredom and unspent energy. A long walk and some play time will give your dog purpose and expend energy in a positive way.

    • 2

      Sprinkle a small amount of black pepper in your garden if your dog is digging because of obsessive compulsion (that is, your dog never stops digging). The pepper, while not harmful, will be unpleasant for the dog to inhale while sniffing around the digging area. This will serve as a deterrent, and your dog will be less likely to enter the garden.

    • 3

      Spray or pour a small amount of citronella oil around your garden. Citronella is a natural repellent that is quite effective on dogs.

    • 4

      Reprimand your dog any time you catch digging in process. Use a stern voice and physically remove the dog from the garden if necessary. Be firm, but not too rough to avoid hurting your dog. You can also use a spray bottle filled with water to spray your dog. Most dogs dislike being sprayed with water and will begin to associate being sprayed with digging if you use this method of deterrence on a regular basis.

    • 5

      Set up humane rodent traps if your dog is digging for rats, mice and other little critters that may be living in your garden. Getting rid of the source of the problem, rodents in this case, will be easier than training your dog.