How to Stop a Dog From Digging Holes in the Yard
See this. The owner's dog has dug a hole in the backyard. The owner's standing there with a shovel, looking defeated. The dog thinks it's a game.
The dog isn't being bad. The dog is being a dog. Some breeds — terriers, huskies, beagles — were literally bred to dig. Ten thousand years of instinct says "find the thing underground." You can't train that out.
What you can do: give the dog a place to dig. A sandbox in the corner. Bury a bone, let the dog find it. Reward digging in that spot. They learn "this is MY place to dig."
If the dog is digging to cool off — that's a hot-weather dog, you need shade and water. If the dog is digging under the fence — that's an escape risk, fix the fence. If the dog is digging out of boredom — that's your fault, give the dog more exercise.
Most of the time, the fix isn't stopping the dog. The fix is giving the dog a better option.
Brand closer: Match the dog to the family. If you want a pristine yard, don't get a Jack Russell.
The 5 reasons dogs dig — and what to do about each
Before you can stop a dog from digging, you have to know why the dog is digging. The fix is different for each cause.
1. Hunting prey underground
Voles, moles, gophers, grubs, earthworms — if your dog is digging in a specific spot with intense focus, they're hunting. You can see the pattern: dig, sniff, dig deeper, sniff more. Fix: Address the prey (call a wildlife removal service, treat for grubs) OR accept that the dog is doing what they were bred to do and redirect to a designated digging zone.
2. Cooling off
In hot weather, dogs dig to find cool soil a few inches below the surface. This is most common in northern breeds (Huskies, Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs). Fix: Provide shade, fresh water, and an indoor retreat during the hottest hours. Frozen Kongs, kiddie pools, and frozen treats also help.
3. Boredom
The most common cause. Under-stimulated dogs dig to entertain themselves. The dog who is left alone in the yard for 8 hours while the family is at work will dig. Fix: 30+ minutes of fetch, tug, or training per day. Puzzle toys (Kong, snuffle mat) during alone time. A dog that comes back inside tired doesn't dig.
4. Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety sometimes dig as a displacement behavior. The dog is stressed and digging is the outlet. Fix: Address the underlying anxiety (see Problem #6). Crate training helps. Talk to your vet about anti-anxiety options for severe cases.
5. Escape
Dogs dig under fences to get out — to chase a squirrel, find a mate, or escape a stressor. This is dangerous. Fix: Bury chicken wire or L-footer along the bottom of the fence. Use a digging barrier (heavy rocks, pavers). Address why the dog wants out.
The designated digging zone — your best friend
If you don't want to fight biology, give the dog a place to dig. Here's how:
- Pick a corner of the yard. Out of the way, but visible from the house.
- Build a sandbox with landscape timbers (about 4ft x 4ft, 12 inches deep). Fill with sand or loose topsoil.
- Bury toys and treats in the zone every morning. The dog learns "this is where the treasures are."
- Praise the dog when they dig in the zone. "Good dig!" Treat immediately.
- Ignore the dog when they dig elsewhere. Don't yell, don't chase — just walk them to the zone and bury something.
Most dogs learn "my zone" within a week. Some terriers will dig there AND in the flower beds — at which point you accept you have a terrier and you fence the flower beds.
→ Read: How Dogs Learn (the 5 senses explained) · Browse all 50 dog behavior problems