How to deter dog from digging holes in backyard

Dear Cathy: My grandson has two rescue dogs. He fostered the second one before deciding to adopt her. She was such a sweetie that she became part of the family. She is a year old and gets along well with the older dog. A few months ago, she started to dig holes in the backyard, and it’s become a habit. Why this is happening?

Dear Esther: Dogs dig when they’re bored, stressed, going after prey or simply because it’s instinctive and it feels good. Some breeds dig more than others, but there are ways to manage it.

First, supervise her in the yard (until she stops the digging behavior) and train her not to dig. If she starts digging, you or your grandson should say her name and then say, “no dig.” Immediately call her to you. Do not give her a treat until you give her a second command.

Ask her to “sit,” then say her reward word, such as “bingo,” so she knows she did what was asked, and a treat will follow.

Second, make sure she has plenty of playtime and exercise before going into the yard. This might involve two 30-minute walks daily and a game of fetch when she first goes outside. Give her a toy she can only have in the yard.

When she comes into the house, pick up the toy and put it away.

You also can create a digging zone for her. This involves creating a doggy sandbox (a square of land with a wooden frame) where she is allowed to dig. Use wet sand and place a few treats just poking out to encourage her to dig. Bury toys deeper for her to find later. Reward her for digging there and not by the fence. (Cover the sandbox when not in use.)

Finally, some people place rocks, bricks and railroad ties around the fence line to deter digging. I use a strip of chicken wire about 18 inches wide, folded in half and then opened into an L-shape. I mount one side to the fence with a staple gun and the other side to the ground with landscape pins.

Your dog won’t want to dig along the fence line anymore, and your grass can still grow and be mowed.