How Can I Get My Dog to Stop Ripping Out the Grass?

Digging at and tearing up grass is a common problem for dog owners who let their dogs loose in the yard unattended. When left to his own devices, a dog will likely find something to do that does not necessarily match up with what you wish he would. If you are experiencing a problem with a digging dog, there are a few ways to knock out the problem.

Instructions

    • 1

      Put a sprinkler head next to the area in which your dog usually digs. When you see your dog start digging, turn the sprinkler on. This will discourage the dog from digging in that spot. It also has an added bonus of correcting the dog without associating you with the correction.

    • 2

      Exercise your dog. One primary cause of digging is too much energy -- a dog that is too tired to dig will cause much less damage to your yard. Take your dog for daily walks or runs and be sure to get them to a park occasionally so they can run some of that energy out.

    • 3

      Create a designated digging area. You can do this by putting a special box of soft dirt somewhere in your yard and hiding bones and treats there. If the dog is rewarded for digging in one place, they will usually leave the rest of the yard alone.

    • 4

      Monitor your dog while he or she is playing in the yard. Boredom is a major cause of digging and your dog will be more likely to misbehave if you are not around. Try not to leave your dog in the yard unattended for more than a few minutes at a time.