For many dog owners in Pittsburgh, a well-kept yard is more than just curb appeal—it’s a space for relaxation, play, and time with your pup. But when your dog is determined to dig holes throughout the lawn, that peaceful outdoor time can quickly turn into frustration. While digging is a natural behavior in dogs, excessive or targeted digging can be a sign of deeper behavioral issues, especially in dogs with territorial tendencies.
At Spitze K9 in Bridgeville, we regularly work with dog owners who are struggling to stop their dogs from digging. Whether it’s tearing up the flower beds or clawing under the fence whenever a neighbor’s dog walks by, we understand the behavior—and how to correct it using proven dog training methods. In this article, we’ll break down why dogs dig, how to assess the behavior, and what steps you can take, including the benefits of in home dog training to help stop your dog from digging for good.
Why Dogs Dig in the First Place
Dogs dig for a variety of reasons—some instinctual, some behavioral. Before you can stop your dog from digging, it’s important to understand why it’s happening.
Common Reasons Dogs Dig:
Boredom or excess energy: Digging is a way for dogs to entertain themselves when they don’t have enough mental or physical stimulation.
Escape attempts: Dogs may dig under fences if they’re trying to get out—whether that’s to chase another animal, greet a neighbor’s dog, or just explore.
Comfort-seeking: Especially in hot weather, dogs may dig to create a cooler spot to lie down.
Hunting/prey drive: Some dogs dig in search of animals like moles or insects in the soil.
Anxiety or stress: Dogs with separation anxiety or general stress may resort to digging as a coping mechanism.
For dogs that are territorially aggressive or reactive, digging often has an emotional trigger. They may dig when they sense other animals near their territory, feel overstimulated by activity on the other side of the fence, or feel the need to “guard” their space.
Watch First, Correct Second: Observing the Behavior
The first step to solving any behavioral issue is observation. Where is your dog digging? When does it happen? Is it in response to a specific trigger—like the mail carrier walking by or another dog being outside?
By identifying patterns in your dog’s behavior, you can start to understand the root cause. For example, a dog who consistently digs along the perimeter of the fence may be reacting to outside stimuli and trying to assert territorial dominance. A dog that digs only when left alone might be expressing separation anxiety or boredom.
Look for other signs too:
- Pacing along the fence line
- Barking or growling while digging
- Increased alertness when people or animals are near the yard
If any of these behaviors sound familiar, it may be time to shift your focus from just stopping the digging to addressing the underlying behavioral issue—especially if it involves territorial aggression.
Practical Techniques to Stop Your Dog from Digging
Once you’ve determined the likely causes of the digging, you can begin implementing strategies to redirect or reduce the behavior. Here are several trainer-approved approaches:
1. Designate a Digging Zone
Rather than try to eliminate the behavior altogether, some dogs benefit from having a place where they are allowed to dig. You can set up a sandbox or a sectioned-off area of your yard and bury toys or treats there to encourage digging in that spot. Praise your dog when they use the right area.
2. Provide More Mental Stimulation
Dogs that dig out of boredom often respond well to enrichment. Puzzle toys, scent games, and structured playtime can all help meet your dog’s mental needs. Consider rotating toys regularly to keep things interesting.
3. Increase Exercise
A tired dog is a less destructive dog. Boost your dog’s daily activity through walks, runs, agility exercises, or structured fetch games. If your dog is reactive or aggressive, work with a trainer to make exercise safe and controlled.
4. Use Landscaping and Deterrents
If your dog always digs in specific areas, you can deter them with physical barriers (like rocks or garden fencing), scents they dislike (such as citrus peels), or motion-activated sprinklers. However, this only works as a short-term solution if the underlying drive isn’t addressed.
5. Supervise Yard Time
Until the digging is under control, supervised outdoor time can help interrupt and redirect the behavior in real time. Keep a leash or long line attached during yard time if needed to maintain control.
When Digging Is a Symptom of Deeper Behavior Issues
For dogs with aggression, reactivity, or territorial behavior, digging is often just one piece of a larger puzzle. These dogs may feel a need to patrol their yard, bark at passersby, or guard certain spaces. In these cases, the solution isn’t just more toys or barriers—it’s structured training that teaches the dog how to cope with stimulation and control their impulses.
That’s where in home dog training makes a difference.
Why In Home Dog Training Works
Training your dog at home, in the environment where the behavior is happening, gives you a much better shot at lasting success. At Spitze K9, we offer in home dog training for Pittsburgh-area families because it allows us to see the behavior firsthand and tailor solutions to your dog’s specific needs.
In cases of digging linked to territorial behavior, we focus on:
Impulse control: Teaching the dog to resist reacting to triggers like passing people or animals
Place training: Creating a designated calm zone your dog learns to go to on command
Threshold control: Helping your dog learn calm behavior near doors, fences, and windows
Redirection: Teaching appropriate alternatives to reactive or digging behavior
This kind of focused behavior modification often leads to better, longer-lasting results than general obedience classes because it addresses the “why” behind the behavior—not just the surface-level actions.
When to Call in a Professional Trainer
You don’t have to wait until your dog has destroyed your lawn or escaped under the fence to ask for help. If your dog’s digging feels excessive, emotionally charged, or connected to reactivity or aggression, it’s a good idea to consult a professional.
At Spitze K9, our trainers are experienced in working with behaviorally complex dogs. We know that each dog is different, and we approach training with patience, structure, and clarity. Whether you’re dealing with a new puppy who’s learning boundaries or a reactive adult dog with a long history of digging and guarding behavior, we’ll meet you where you are.
Digging Isn’t Just a Nuisance, It’s a Message
If your dog is digging holes in your yard, it’s not just about mess or inconvenience. It’s a form of communication. Your dog is telling you they’re bored, anxious, over-stimulated or maybe even scared.
Instead of just punishing the behavior or trying quick fixes, take the opportunity to look deeper. With observation, understanding, and a clear training plan, you can stop your dog from digging. And if you need support, we’re here to help.
Get Help with Digging, Reactivity, and More
Spitze K9 offers in home dog training services across Pittsburgh and surrounding areas like Bridgeville, tailored to dogs with behavior issues—including territorial aggression, anxiety, and destructive behaviors like digging.
If you’re ready to stop your dog from digging and build a more peaceful home environment, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you turn frustration into progress, right in your own backyard.
Antonio has taken care of dogs since his youth and has worked with law enforcement agencies to train dogs in the US and Internationally as well as countless other pet dogs since he started Spitze K9.
He has been an established dog expert for years.