The long hours you spend landscaping and caring for your garden and lawn can be ruined with a pair of cute paws in a matter of minutes. The aftermath takes twice the amount of time to fix, so there has to be a way to let your dog have fun on your lawn without having to keep an eagle eye on him, right?
The answer is to understand the cause behind the digging and solve the problem.

Why your dog is ruining your lawn-the causes and fixes.

Dogs dig. You must have seen your dog do it more than a few times—it’s part of their nature. The problem isn’t the digging per se but the fact that your lawn is suffering. Below are the four most common reasons your dog digs up flowers, plants, and grass.

1. Hiding And Storing Objects And Food

They’re not chipmunks or squirrels, but your dog has the instinct to hide food away as well. Not only food, but your fur baby may also want to tuck away his favorite toy for later. The reason behind this is a canine’s innate nature is the need to safeguard what matters to them. Your dog won’t only hide items but bits of food for later enjoyment. It may not be the best to let your dog eat dirt-covered turkey meat after it’s been buried for a few days, so you will have to keep an eye on what he buries. 

The Fix: It’s hard to stop this instinct. Your dog has to bury items for safekeeping, so we suggest sectioning off a part of your yard where it’s okay for him to dig. If your dog digs in other places where it’s not allowed, discourage him and only reward him when he does get it right.

2. Natural Instincts

Many dogs like to chase, and it isn’t always after cars or people. They sometimes take off after smaller creatures or other dogs. 

If a squirrel or mouse is scurrying across your lawn, your dog may lunge after it. The little critter will most likely try to escape from under the fence, which causes your dog to dig frantically after it. 

The Fix: Try to eliminate rodents or other creatures (they hate strong-smelling herbs). Or you can incorporate digging deterrents such as a wireless dog fence that not only discourages digging but also teaches your dog not to leave an outlined perimeter. 

3. Stress, Boredom, Anxiety Relief (and Escape)

Sometimes the digging is emotional. Your dog could be bored, stressed, or anxious. If you have ever heard of a Houdini dog (a magical escape artist), then you will know the dog owner’s hardships. 

The Fix: If the digging is due to boredom, keep your dog occupied! Give him something to do or give him sufficient exercise during the day. A well-exercised dog is least likely to act up. If the digging is due to stress, try to figure out what’s causing it and eliminate it. Sometimes it can be fear, and your dog wants to get away from whatever is threatening him. 

4. It’s Way Too Hot

Something you can’t do much about that may cause the incessant digging is high temperatures. The temperature under the surface dirt is much cooler, so your dog is digging in an attempt to lie down in a cooler spot. It’s unavoidable in certain seasons and in specific parts of the world, but there are things you can do. 

The Fix: Throw in some shade! Add some hedges, bushes, small trees—anything that can give your fur baby some relief from the sun. If you’re super skilled, think about placing a pond where he can cool off. You can’t control the weather, but you can maintain the environment in your backyard.