Why Is My Dog Obsessed With Digging in One Spot?

A dog may dig for a variety of different reasons, such as to uncover food or to relieve boredom, frustration or anxiety. Obsessive digging may also be down to your dogs breed as certain dogs were originally developed for the purpose of digging. Whatever the reason for your dog's digging, it will often return to the same place to dig. This can be used to prevent your pet from ruining your entire garden. Provide an area where your dog is allowed to dig and encourage it to dig here by burying treats in the soil.

  1. Scent

    • Your dog may be digging excessively in a particular place in the backyard because it has picked up the scent of something interesting that is buried in the ground. Alternatively the dog may have picked up the scent of an animal that is living in an underground burrow in that particular area. A dog may also return to an area where it has previously dug a hole because it can smell its own scent.

    Natural Behavior

    • Some dog breeds were originally developed to hunt and kill small animals, such as rabbits, foxes, rats and badgers. These dogs were bred to dig tirelessly until they successfully reached the animal they were tracking. Breeds, such as the West Highland White terrier, Fox terrier, Dachshund and Jack Russell were created for this purpose and have a natural desire to dig. Despite this, any dog can be discouraged from digging if it is given alternative mental stimulation.

    Boredom

    • A dog will become destructive and obsessive if it is not given adequate mental stimulation and exercise. All dogs require daily exercise in the form of a walk rather than just going out into the backyard. Working dog breeds need to be given a job to feel contented and in the absence of a task the dog will often assign itself a job, such as digging. If you own a working breed, such as a husky or border collie, practice activities, such as swimming, trick training or agility to provide mental stimulation.

    Overheating

    • A dog that continues to dig a shallow hole in the backyard may be doing this to cool itself down because it is feeling overheated. The earth below the surface of the ground is cooler and can provide relief for the dog, according to dog psychologist Cesar Millan. Ensure that your dog has plenty of water and shade to help it to cool down in hot weather.