A pet owner would be annoyed by the dog’s habit of digging holes. Digging, barking and chewing are natural behaviors of dogs thus although these behaviors can be modified they cannot be totally eliminated. Whenever given a chance, a dog will dig. Because dogs do not know that the inclination to dig is an unacceptable behavior, an owner would come home one day to a lawn with crisscrossing tunnels and a dog with a very proud look on the face.
The silly dog would think that digging holes would please the master. Although dogs are well loved pets, the owner can’t help but be upset if the dog has the habit of destroying the garden. Keeping the dog leashed or in a kennel is one way of solving the digging behavior but since we always want to have the dog around, this would not be a very good solution. Wouldn’t it be a better idea to know the reasons for the dog’s inclination to dig? This can be a more effective way to deal with the dog’s unwanted behavior.
The dogs’ unwanted digging behavior will always be attributed to boredom. Boredom is always one of the reasons for the dog’s unacceptable behaviors. Dogs, apart from being energetic are social animals as well. Being energetic and social animals, dogs will develop the destructive habit of digging holes if not allowed to let off steam or not given opportunities to bond with the family.
Destructive digging can be the dog’s attempt to call the attention of the human family. An upset owner will scold the dog but the scolding or the punishment will be gladly accepted by the dog as the reprimand would means attention from the beloved master. A dog would dig holes to escape confinement. Dogs have the inclination to roam. Dogs are curious animals thus the sounds and scents on the other side of the fence will be very interesting. To get to the other side, the dog will dig tunnels.
For a dog, digging is a cool activity. When the weather is hot the dog will be seen frantically digging. Lying on a newly dug hole will cool the dog’s heated body. In the wild dogs have another purpose for digging holes – to store food. Dogs use holes to store food in the same way that we humans use refrigerators. Dogs will dig holes to bury and store bones and other foods that will be dug again during the rainy days.
More about why dogs dig holes at Sarah’s Dogs.