Why Dogs Dig Holes In The Yard

Ahoy there mates, woof woof! now tell me where did you bury black beards treasure chest, arrr! OK so contrary to many popular beliefs. Old pirate Blackbeard treasure chest was not stolen by any mutt nor was a cursed placed on all dogs to dig for that treasure chest forever. Dogs certainly like to dig holes, but it has nothing to do with ole' Pirates Blackbeard missing treasure chest.

So here is the scenario, you have worked hard on your beautiful flower and vegetable garden all summer. You are proud of your work as it begins to bare the fruits of your labor. You had a beautiful day and you decide to tuck in early after a cup of nice hot chocolate tea. You wake up the next day feeling happy and energized. You make your favorite breakfast and go outside to water and speak to your garden only to be surprised by two large holes in your garden, one of which Bruno is still sleeping in! You are steaming mad as you know the hard work you placed on this gardening project. Flowers and vegetables are scattered all over the garden, as you are about to blow some major steam you dog sees you and runs to you and begins to show you love. Your heart melts again and all you can do shake your head, show your dog some love and go attend to your new holes in your garden.

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Why Dogs Love Digging Holes
So now you are faced with a problem of wanting a beautiful and fruitful garden but your dog seems to not to want to give the digging a break. But why do dogs like to dig holes in the first place? Here are some observed conclusions as to why dogs actually dig holes in the yard.

1. The Dog Smells Something: Dogs sense of smell are a hundred times greater than that of a human. Dogs are able to smell things miles away in air and are capable of smelling closely underground. Once they begin to sniff and they smell something underground they deem interesting and worthwhile finding out what it is, they will begin to dig.
2. They Want To Keep Cool: On very hot days, outdoor dogs will prefer to find a shaded tree with moist earth than stay in a boiling kennel. Dogs will dig the ground to expose the moist earth and lie in it to cool off from a scorching day. So basically the dog is using the earth as its personal Air condition.
3. Dogs Love To Bury Stuff: Dogs are natural hoarders and will find just about anything they think is important, can, old ball, grandpa's old shoe or a huge bone and they will dig and bury that item to retrieve later and of course hide from other dogs and humans. It is like they use the hole as their own little treasure chest.
4. Its Fun:Dogs do get bored, even with a truck load of doggy toys they will simply do what nature hard wires them to do and that is to dig, have fun digging and explore their new found hole.
5. Anxiety, Depression, Trauma and Threat: Have you ever heard the expression "go curl up and die?" Well an extremely ill dog (mostly abandoned and strays)  often dig when feeling sick or especially anxious. "Dogs that are extremely ill will sometimes go off and try to dig a hole in which to lie and die.. Likewise, dogs which are generally mistreated, beaten and emotionally abused will often dig holes to curl up in. The hole represents a sanctuary which provides a temporary relief and comfort.
   

How To Prevent Your Dog From Digging Holes In The Yard
Well, if you are into some nice gardening or just don't want your back or front yard to like like someone is planting mines in it there are a few measures you can implement to help alleviate your dog's digging ways.

• Place beautiful picket fences around vegetable and flower gardens to keep your dog out
• Apply positive reinforcement to your dog when he does not dig, when he does, give him a timeout.
• Apply beautiful concrete running and walking path around your home minimizing the amount of earth the dog has to dig
• Get your dog some training to stop dig up the yard.
• Spend time with your dog and play, show some emotional support and love.

Always remember that digging holes is also part of what dogs simply just love to do, while you can enforce positive reinforcement and put in the measures i have stated above, dogs will be dogs and unless properly trained, once they get the chance to they will certainly be digging a few holes in the yard.