Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Digging is a normal behavior for dogs and other canids, the animal family that includes wolves and foxes. Dogs dig to investigate smells, reach things underground, bury objects, and make comfortable resting places. Sometimes they simply enjoy moving dirt around.
Some dogs rarely dig. Others find it rewarding throughout their lives. Breed tendencies, age, past experiences, and individual preferences all influence how interested a dog might be in digging. Terriers and Dachshunds, for example, have histories of working around animal burrows, although dogs of any breed can develop an enthusiasm for digging.
As we discuss in Bernie’s approach to caring for the whole dog, understanding how dogs experience their surroundings can help us make better decisions about their care. A hole in the yard doesn’t automatically mean a dog is bored, poorly trained, or missing something from their life.
If your dog has taken up digging, spend a little time watching when and where it happens. The location, timing, and what your dog does before digging can offer clues about what attracts them.
Digging a Comfortable Place to Rest
If your dog scrapes out a shallow hollow, turns around, and settles into it, they may be making themselves a comfortable resting place. Soil beneath the surface can be cooler than the surrounding ground, especially during warm weather.
Pay attention to where your dog chooses to rest. A spot beneath a shrub might provide shade, shelter, and a good view of the family. An outdoor dog bed across the yard may have little appeal if it doesn’t offer those same comforts.
Try providing a comfortable resting area on a cool, shaded surface near where your family spends time. Remember that shade moves throughout the day, and make sure your dog has drinking water and access indoors. On very hot days, especially if your dog is panting heavily or having trouble getting comfortable, bring them inside to cool down.
You might also decide that an existing resting hollow can stay. If it’s away from important roots, structures, and walking paths, there’s no particular reason every hole needs filling. A dog who’s comfortable sleeping there may just dig it out again.
Exploring Fresh Soil and New Plants
Freshly worked soil is especially interesting to some dogs. It’s easy to move, and planting, watering, and adding compost or mulch introduce new smells.
For a curious puppy, there’s plenty to investigate. Roots resist being pulled, loose earth moves under their paws, and digging exposes new smells. The activity itself can be entertaining.
Think about when your dog shows the most interest. Is it after you’ve been planting? Do they go straight for the new flowers, investigate individual planting holes, or paw through loose soil wherever they find it?
If a few new plants are attracting attention, individual guards may be enough. A newly planted bed might need temporary fencing until the puppy loses interest. Dogs who particularly enjoy moving loose material may appreciate having a place where digging is encouraged.
Keep garden supplies out of reach, too. Some fertilizers and composts are attractive to dogs because of their smells, but they can contain ingredients that are harmful if eaten. Cocoa-based mulch and certain flower bulbs also present risks to dogs who dig them up and chew them.
If your puppy is interested in eating plants as well as digging around them, our guide to common spring plants that are toxic to dogs explains which popular garden plants deserve extra caution.
Following Scents and Investigating Animals
Dogs have an extraordinary sense of smell, and the yard is full of information we can’t detect.
A dog who sniffs intently, pauses to listen, and then digs in a particular spot may be investigating animals living underground. Look for small holes, tunnels, disturbed soil, or other signs of visitors.
If your dog is trying to reach a mouse, mole, or other animal, filling the hole probably won’t remove the attraction. You may need to restrict access while you identify what’s living there and consider safe ways to discourage it. Avoid poisons and traps that could harm your dog or other wildlife.
You may also notice that a dog who’s usually delighted to play fetch has little interest in a favorite toy while investigating an animal’s scent. For some dogs, following a scent and trying to uncover its source is more exciting than ordinary play.
Digging for the Fun of It
Some dogs just love to dig. They paw at the ground, pull at roots, and toss dirt around without appearing to have any particular destination in mind.
Puppies are especially curious about how their surroundings work. Digging lets them interact with the ground in ways that are physically and mentally engaging, and the experience can be rewarding enough that they keep coming back.
Dogs can enjoy digging even when they get plenty of exercise, toys, and attention. Of course, a puppy who spends long periods outside alone may benefit from more interaction and shared activities. But adding another walk won’t necessarily satisfy a dog whose favorite pastime is excavation.
Notice when the digging happens. A puppy who digs while you garden may enjoy having an activity nearby. If digging is a favorite form of play, giving your dog an acceptable place to do it may be one of the easiest ways to protect your plants.
Digging Under the Fence
Digging along a fence deserves prompt attention because even a small hole can become an escape route.
Some dogs dig toward interesting smells or activity on the other side. Others may be trying to get away from something frightening or uncomfortable in their own yard.
Check whether digging happens during ordinary play or primarily when your dog is outside alone. Secure the boundary and supervise outdoor time while you figure out what’s attracting your dog’s attention.
For a persistent digger, you may need to reinforce the bottom of the fence. Depending on the existing fence and the location of the holes, options include securing gaps with sturdy materials, installing a buried wire-mesh barrier, or using a properly fitted row of pavers. Any mesh should be securely installed with sharp ends covered or buried so it cannot injure your dog’s paws.
For dogs who are new to the home, a yard may take time to feel familiar and safe. Digging accompanied by pacing, whining, or repeated escape attempts can also be a sign of distress. A veterinarian or qualified reward-based behavior professional can help determine what’s happening.
How to Protect Your Garden From Digging
While you’re figuring out what attracts your dog to the garden, you can protect the vulnerable areas from further damage.
Physical barriers are often the simplest place to start. Dogs don’t automatically understand why digging next to one plant is acceptable but digging beside another is forbidden. A well-placed barrier protects your plants while you teach your dog where they can play.
The best arrangement depends on your yard, the plants you’re protecting, and how often your family needs access to the area.
Fencing Off a Vegetable Garden
If several garden beds are close together, enclosing the vegetable garden may be easier than protecting each plant individually.
Sturdy wire fencing attached to posts can be relatively inexpensive in materials, although installation takes some work. Ready-made garden panels may be quicker to assemble and easier to relocate, but they generally cost more.
Whichever option you choose, look for secure supports, a height appropriate for your dog, and a gate that’s convenient to use. You’ll be much more likely to keep the gate closed if it’s easy to open while carrying a watering can or garden tools.
Check that your puppy can’t squeeze underneath, push through a loose section, or climb over the barrier. Low decorative fencing may look attractive, but it won’t necessarily discourage an enthusiastic young dog. Raised beds aren’t automatically safe from climbing or digging, either.
Planning for Wildlife Deterrent Too
A garden fence may turn out to be useful long after your puppy matures, particularly if wildlife visits your yard.
Consider which animals are common in your area before choosing materials:
- Rabbits can squeeze through relatively small openings and may dig beneath a fence.
- Groundhogs can dig beneath fences and may climb them.
- Squirrels and raccoons can climb ordinary garden fencing.
- Birds can enter from above unless the growing area has suitable overhead protection.
- Deer generally require substantially taller barriers than a puppy would.
You may not need protection against every animal, but it’s worth considering which visitors are likely before investing in a permanent enclosure.
The University of Maryland Extension has a useful guide to garden fencing and plant protection for rabbits. Your local extension office can also help you choose solutions for wildlife common to your area.
Protecting Individual Plants and Flower Beds
A large fence may not make sense for flower beds around a patio, along a walkway, or beside the house.
For a few vulnerable plants, individual guards may be more practical. A rigid mesh cage secured around a newly planted shrub or flower can keep curious paws away from the roots. Leave enough space that your dog can’t reach through the sides to dig.
Small framed mesh covers can also protect new seedlings until they’re established.
Choose materials with smooth, protected edges and openings that won’t trap a dog’s head or paw. Make sure there’s room for plants to grow and enough access for watering and weeding. Lightweight plant supports may collapse if a large puppy leans against them, so consider how sturdy the arrangement needs to be.
Individual guards can be economical for a handful of plants, although the cost and upkeep add up across a long border.
Sometimes a simple gate across a side passage can protect several beds at once. Large, stable planters might also help block a narrow entrance, provided your dog can’t walk around them or use them as steps.
Watch how your dog uses the space. If they routinely cross a flower bed to reach the patio, providing a clear path around it may reduce damage. If they stop specifically to investigate the soil, you’ll need to protect the planting area itself.
Managing Digging in Mulched Areas
Large mulched areas beneath trees or around established shrubs can be difficult to fence off completely.
Before replacing mulch or installing a barrier, notice which parts your dog actually uses.
A dog who returns to the same shady hollow may be looking for a comfortable resting place. You might provide another nearby option or allow the hollow to remain if it isn’t causing damage.
A puppy who begins digging immediately after fresh mulch is spread may be interested in the unfamiliar smells and loose material. Temporary separation may be enough while you see whether that interest fades.
Replacing an entire ground covering can get expensive, and another loose material may prove just as interesting. Experiment with a small area before making major changes.
Avoid sharp stones, spikes, exposed wire, or other materials intended to make digging uncomfortable. They can create unnecessary injury risks.
When you can’t supervise, keeping your dog in another secure part of the yard or a comfortable indoor space may be the simplest solution.
Give Your Dog a Place to Dig
If your dog genuinely enjoys digging, you don’t have to eliminate the activity. You can give them a place to dig where it won’t damage plants or leave holes in walking areas.
An ordinary patch of loose, suitable soil may be all you need. A sandbox offers a more contained option and can be covered between uses, although you’ll need to purchase or build the box and provide clean fill material.
Choose a space large enough for your dog to dig and turn comfortably. Keep it away from fences, important plant roots, and areas where holes might become a hazard.
Try to place it somewhere your dog already likes spending time. A puppy who enjoys being near the family may ignore a sandbox tucked into a distant corner of the yard.
Teaching Your Dog to “Go Dig”
To introduce the new area, let your dog watch as you partially bury a familiar, durable toy. Make the first few finds easy and join in the game. Praise your dog for digging there, and occasionally hide the toy again to keep the activity interesting.
You can gradually introduce a cue, such as “go dig,” once your dog begins using the area reliably. This gives you another way to invite the activity when you’re outside together.
For a step-by-step explanation, certified professional dog trainer Sassafras Patterdale shares how to teach your dog to dig on cue in this American Kennel Club guide. The approach starts with rewarding a dog for pawing at a blanket, then introduces a verbal cue before practicing in an outdoor digging area. Learning the cue won’t necessarily stop spontaneous digging, so keep rewarding your dog for using their designated spot and protecting areas you want to keep intact.
Keep protecting the garden while your puppy learns. If they continue choosing the flower bed instead, consider what makes that spot more appealing. They may prefer soil over sand, enjoy the shade, or be looking for a particular smell.
Use clean material free from garden chemicals and sharp debris. Supervise play, and choose another activity if your dog tends to eat significant amounts of sand or soil.
Can Dogs and Children Share a Sandbox?
If your family already has a sandbox for the children, you may wonder whether the dog could use it too.
It’s possible to arrange supervised playtimes, particularly if your dog enjoys digging but doesn’t guard toys or play roughly. Taking turns helps avoid a spirited puppy sending sand flying while children are playing.
Hygiene deserves particular attention when children and dogs use the same sand. Animal feces can introduce harmful germs and parasites, and contamination isn’t always obvious.
Keep the sandbox covered between uses to discourage wildlife and neighborhood animals from soiling it. Check the sand before play, remove toys between users, and have children wash their hands afterward. Keep in mind that a cover doesn’t prevent contamination if your own dog uses the sandbox as a toilet. If that happens, keep children out until the contaminated sand has been appropriately addressed.
A separate digging space is generally easier for dogs who repeatedly soil the sand, become possessive of toys, or play too energetically around children.
Indoor Digging Activities for Dogs
Dogs can enjoy digging indoors when they have the right materials. Deep, soft bedding, loose blankets, and toys designed for digging or burrowing can give them opportunities to paw, push, nose, and rearrange things without making a mess in the yard.
Some dogs naturally dig at their beds or bunch up blankets before lying down. A generously filled dog bed with a loose, washable blanket can give them something to work with. Dogs who especially enjoy burrowing may appreciate a cave-style bed or one with an attached blanket they can crawl underneath. These setups allow dogs to explore and rearrange their resting space.
For more active digging play, try creating a soft digging area using a large dog bed or shallow container filled with loosely piled blankets and towels. Hide a few treats or pieces of regular kibble between the layers to encourage your dog to dig, nose, and search. Start with easy finds and gradually bury them deeper as your dog becomes familiar with the game.
There are also toys made specifically for this kind of activity. Fabric digging mats with pockets, folds, or layered sections encourage dogs to use their paws and noses to uncover hidden rewards. Snuffle mats provide a similar searching experience. Some interactive plush toys feature soft openings where dogs can pull out smaller toys, giving them another way to practice digging-like and foraging behaviors.
Choose materials that suit your dog’s size and play style, supervise fabric activities, and remove anything they begin tearing apart or swallowing.
Indoor digging games are a form of mental enrichment that encourages natural exploration and problem-solving. Some dogs will happily spend time searching through blankets or burrowing into soft bedding, while enthusiastic earth diggers may still prefer an outdoor digging area. Offering both options can help you discover which activities your dog enjoys most.
Helping Your Dog Leave the Garden When Called
Even with a protected garden and an approved digging area, your puppy may occasionally return to the plants.
Teaching a reliable response when called is especially useful here. If your dog comes away from the garden when you call, reward them with a treat, praise, or a short game.
Practice during ordinary outdoor play, when leaving an interesting spot is easier. You want coming to you to be a familiar, rewarding experience before asking your dog to leave something as exciting as a newly planted flower bed.
Avoid scolding your dog after they’ve come to you. From their perspective, they’ve just responded to your call, and an unpleasant reaction may make them less eager to come next time.
You can also reward behaviors you’d like to encourage, such as walking past the planting beds calmly, using the designated digging area, or relaxing nearby while you garden.
If every afternoon becomes a cycle of digging, calling, and digging again, consider changing the setup. Offer an activity before your puppy reaches the plants, stay closer while they’re exploring, or temporarily restrict access to the garden.
A combination of protection and practice should eventually mean fewer interruptions for the family, even if your dog continues to enjoy digging elsewhere.
What About Electronic Fences and Correction Collars?
An electronic fence or correction collar may seem like a straightforward solution when a puppy keeps returning to the same garden bed. These devices can discourage dogs from entering certain areas, but it’s important to consider how they work and what the dog experiences.
Some electronic boundary systems rely on a collar that delivers an unpleasant correction when the dog approaches or crosses a designated boundary. The dog may learn to avoid that location, but the correction can also become associated with people, other animals, or events happening nearby.
An unpleasant experience may introduce fear or stress into an otherwise enjoyable outdoor environment. And a dog looking for cool soil still needs somewhere comfortable to rest, while a puppy who enjoys digging will continue to benefit from opportunities to engage in that activity.
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based training and advises against electronic shock collars. Its guidance considers both how dogs learn and how training methods affect their welfare.
For a garden-digging problem, ordinary physical barriers are often a more practical starting point. They protect the plants immediately while you teach your dog where to play and reward them for responding when called.
If your dog is digging to escape the yard or appears distressed, seek qualified help rather than relying on an electronic correction to discourage the behavior.
Will Your Puppy Outgrow Digging?
Some puppies become less interested in digging as they mature and develop other favorite activities. Others continue enjoying it well into adulthood.
You may find that temporary plant guards are no longer necessary after a few months of consistent supervision and practice. Or your dog may continue using a designated digging area for years.
There’s also no reason to remove a useful barrier simply because your puppy has grown up. A vegetable garden fence may remain worthwhile for protection against rabbits and other wildlife.
For David’s new puppy, the immediate goal is protecting the plants while learning what makes digging so appealing. A little temporary fencing, an inviting place to dig, and some practice coming away when called may be enough to make gardening together much more pleasant.
With a suitable setup, the family can spend less time rescuing plants and interrupting their puppy, while the puppy still gets to enjoy one of the many activities that make being a dog so interesting.
David’s puppy might eventually lose interest in digging up the garden, or digging could remain a favorite activity for years. Either way, a few thoughtful adjustments can help the family protect their plants while giving both Goldens comfortable, enjoyable ways to spend time outside.
Learning From What Your Dog Enjoys
At Bernie’s Best, we believe there’s a lot to learn from paying attention to what dogs naturally enjoy and how they experience their surroundings. Our Mind-Body Wellness philosophy explores why activities like digging, sniffing, and chewing are important parts of a dog’s life, while our Environment philosophy offers ideas for creating spaces that accommodate individual needs and preferences. These principles can help with much more than protecting a garden. They encourage us to keep learning about the dogs we share our lives with and finding ways to make those lives more fulfilling.
That’s also why we created Bernie’s University, a special place for dog lovers to explore all things canine health, behavior, and wellbeing. From mental enrichment to home mobility modifications, you’ll find practical ideas and educational resources to help you understand your dog and discover more ways to make life together even better.
