How to Stop Dog Digging Holes

Step 1: Burn Off Energy First (Non-Negotiable)

If your dog has excess energy, no training method will stick.

This is the foundation.

Start with:

• 30–60 minutes of daily exercise
• Structured walks (not just wandering)
• Active play like fetch or running

For high-energy dogs, you may need more.

Important: Mental exercise is just as powerful as physical exercise.

That’s where structured training becomes incredibly valuable.

Best Training Solution (Fix the Root Cause)

If your dog keeps digging despite exercise, the issue is likely behavioral—not just physical.

A structured system like Brain Training for Dogs can make a huge difference.

It uses step-by-step mental exercises that tap into how dogs naturally learn.

Instead of just stopping digging temporarily, it teaches your dog better habits—so they stop choosing digging in the first place.

This is especially effective for stubborn or high-energy dogs.

Step 2: Give Your Dog a Better Option

Trying to completely stop digging often backfires.

Instead, redirect it.

Create a designated digging area:

• Choose a corner of your yard
• Loosen the soil or add sand
• Bury toys or treats

When your dog uses this area, reward them.

When they dig elsewhere, calmly redirect.

This teaches control without fighting instinct.

Step 3: Reduce Boredom (This Changes Everything)

A bored dog will always find trouble.

If you want to stop digging long-term, you need to keep your dog mentally engaged.

Simple ways to do this:

• Rotate toys every few days
• Use food-based games
• Add short training sessions

One of the easiest ways to maintain variety is through structured toy systems.

For example, BarkBox provides rotating toys and activities that keep your dog mentally stimulated.

When your dog has something exciting to focus on, digging becomes far less appealing.

Step 4: Make Problem Areas Less Attractive

If your dog keeps digging in the same spot, you need to break that habit.

Make those areas less rewarding:

• Place rocks under the soil
• Use rough textures like gravel
• Block access temporarily

This doesn’t punish your dog—it simply removes the reward.

The Hidden Factor Most Owners Ignore

Here’s something most guides won’t tell you:

Your dog’s daily routine has a huge impact on behavior.

When routines are inconsistent, dogs become restless.

Restlessness leads to digging.

That’s why consistency matters just as much as training.

Using a reliable system for food, toys, and care can make a noticeable difference.

Platforms like Chewy help simplify your dog’s routine, so you’re not constantly changing patterns that affect behavior.

When your dog knows what to expect each day, they’re calmer—and far less likely to dig.

Advanced Fixes for Stubborn Digging Behavior

If your dog is still digging after applying the basics, don’t worry—this is where most owners get stuck.

At this stage, the digging is no longer just random. It’s becoming a habit.

And habits require a smarter approach to break.

Step 5: Interrupt and Redirect (Timing Matters)

If you catch your dog digging, you have a valuable training moment.

But how you respond makes all the difference.

Instead of yelling, do this:

• Call your dog’s name calmly
• Interrupt the behavior without aggression
• Immediately redirect to a toy or approved digging area
• Praise when they switch behavior

This teaches your dog what to do instead—not just what to avoid.

Over time, this rewires their decision-making.

Step 6: Fix Anxiety-Driven Digging

If your dog digs when you’re not home, the issue may be emotional—not physical.

This type of digging often happens near:

• Fences
• Gates
• Entry points

It’s usually paired with:

• Barking or whining
• Chewing or destruction
• Restlessness

To fix this, focus on building independence and calmness. Start with:

• Short departures and gradual increases
• Leaving behind engaging activities
• Avoiding emotional goodbyes

Structured mental training is especially powerful here.

Programs like Brain Training for Dogs help reshape how your dog responds to being alone. Instead of panicking or acting out, they learn to stay calm and focused.

Step 7: Control the Environment

Training works faster when your dog isn’t constantly tempted.

If your dog keeps returning to the same digging spots, change the environment.

Effective strategies include:

• Temporarily blocking access to problem areas
• Adding barriers like garden fencing
• Supervising outdoor time more closely

This breaks the habit cycle while you reinforce better behavior.

Step 8: Use Better Rewards (This Speeds Everything Up)

Dogs repeat behaviors that get rewarded.

If you want your dog to stop digging, you need to make alternative behaviors more rewarding.

This is where high-quality treats come in.

Using something like Pawstruck gives you a powerful way to reinforce good choices—like using the digging zone or choosing a toy instead.

The more rewarding the alternative, the faster your dog switches behavior.