When dogs do dig and you want them to stop, you can put some of their fresh poop in the hole and it will at least temporarily stop the digging. Digging dogs. Work with your dog on behavior modification to stop their escape efforts. Dogs that Dig There are two solutions to dogs digging in the yard. If your dog's interest in digging continues despite your best efforts, try controlling where he or she digs. If you don't want a dog to dig, don't get a terrier. Placing their own poop in the digging site usually makes them go elsewhere. Your vegetable garden is a salad bar for your dog. How To Stop Dogs From Digging Dogs dig for a number of reasons and it's important to keep in mind that your dog is not digging to spite you. Dogs and cats can harm flower beds and gardens. Be careful with gravel, always choose large cobbles that can’t be swallowed or chewed easily also dog mess can be really tricky to pick up on a gravel bed! Function Dogs love to explore anywhere they can outdoors, even if that means ruining any hard work put into a landscape, like a beautiful flower garden or culinary herb nook. How to Keep Pets from Digging Up Yard Plants. Keep gates secure at all times. Plant a screen to hide this dog run if you like; pets seem to like having their own “secret garden.” Soon you will be enjoying time outdoors with your dog and your garden. Spray Nasty Odors. If you just want to keep dogs from getting too curious about your garden, consider things you can add to your garden such as mulch. The Dogs trust show garden 2016 at Hampton Court used large cobbles in its dog-friendly garden. Since people love dogs but also their gardens, there are some types of plants and mulch that you can incorporate into your garden to deter dogs from digging and foraging. Plants—whether in your garden or inside your house—can be dangerous, since some plants … Reconsider the landscaping. Fence off areas you want your dog to stay away from, such as your garden. 5. If you catch your dog in the act of digging reprimand him! But remember, be careful not to dig the grave around gas lines, sprinkler hoses, water sources, places that flood, or other hazards. These are generally plants with odors that dogs dislike. [google_ad:DOTR_CMS_468x60_InArticle1] Why Do Dogs Dig Holes? This behavior is common in dogs. What is double-digging? when we buried our cat smokey a few years back, we wrapped him in a bath towel and then a plastic trash bag just because we were worried about the depth of his grave and if any other animals would try to dig him up.. they havent. This won't address the cause of the behavior and will worsen any digging that's motivated by fear or anxiety. View All. Chunky pine cones, thorny plant clippings such as those from rose or blackberry, or other uncomfortable mulches such as large wood chips will deter dogs. If your dogs have already created their own paths through the garden, don’t try to redirect them. Dogs require exercise and get bored easily. It is recommended that you dig at least 4 feet deep to ensure that the grave is not going to be dug up by animals or your children when playing. If you allow your dog to bring toys or chews outside, it may dig holes in an effort to hide them. Let the dog dig to get the toy and praise like mad. These plants can also be used as a barrier to protect more delicate plants beyond. OK, then get inventive. Hopefully this stops the digging once and for all. You can also place rocks and wire by your dog's favorite digging areas that you want to protect. It stops them from digging in most cases. If you have given up on gardening because your dog has dug up all the plants you so painstakingly planted, this article is for you. Dogs of any size can eventually wear a path in a grassy yard or dog run that can turn into a muddy mess during a rainy period. Regardless of the reason your dog is digging, don't: Punish your dog after the fact. Stop your dog from digging with this home remedy. Dogs Don’t Like to Get Poked – Setting Up Barriers to Keep Dogs Out of the Garden. How can you keep dogs from wrecking your garden? Dogs eating your plants may be frustrating, but there are ways to keep them from doing so. Concrete Footer: If you have a serious digger, consider pouring concrete along the perimeter of the fence line and sinking the bottom of the fence into the concrete before it dries. Dog owners know their beloved dogs need outdoor exercise and fresh air. When the dog digs one up, POP! Others believe that it may be a sign of stomach trouble or boredom. Whenever you then see the dog digging in other parts of the garden, switch into your "excited - buried treasure" routine and encourage the dog over to the digging area. Dogs are fast learners and hate poky stuff. Dogs can jump surprisingly high, so make sure your fences are at least 6ft high if you have a medium-sized dog. Plants to Keep Dogs out of your Garden. A 3-foot-wide clearance is enough for most dogs. Follow the tips given in this article to teach your dog to stay away from the garden and deter him from digging. They dig in the ground around the plants, tearing up roots and beds. Make sure your garden is secure. Sprinkle Cayenne pepper or chili powder in the spots where your dogs likes to dig. Plants & Trees That Cats & Dogs Hate the Smell Of. Better to have one small area dug up by the dog than to have your whole garden … Most landscapes encourage dogs to dig, by giving them enough space around the fence. It’ll take some work, but this is super effective. Some have assumed this behavior is consistent with pica, which is an urge to eat unusual foods or non-foods. Create Digging Spots. Once your dog has been trained to leave the spot alone, you can remove the poop and refill the hole. plants for dogs. If you have a garden, you can make your own compost bin by adding the dog poop to grass clippings, plant, or other organic waste, and even sawdust as a source of food for the microbes. Redesigning your garden can be a great solution if you can’t keep dogs out of garden areas you own, or you don’t want to. im sorry you lost your cat and im even more sorry you had to see his body after that animal dug it up. Double digging involves loosening the soil more than 12 inches down. Dogs are fantastic pets that provide owners with lots of love and affection. The resulting holes in your grass don't just look unsightly, but also attract weeds, cause soil erosion and pose a risk for falling. I have found this method to be particularly effective when it comes to stubborn diggers like rat terriers and beagles. If you don't clearly communicate to your dog that his digging is unacceptable behavior, he won't even realize that he is doing anything "wrong". What doesn't work. If a neighborhood dog is an unwanted visitor in your yard, set up a sprinkler in the area it frequents and train it to stay away by regularly surprising it with a spray of cold water. Go elsewhere and praise like mad or escape through holes in the of... Plants can also be used as a barrier to protect more delicate plants beyond your cat and im even sorry. When he/she tries to dig/sniff it gets a big nose full of it, very discouraging pica! Walls in an attempt to escape: some dogs dig holes in the site! To be particularly effective when it comes to stubborn diggers like rat terriers and beagles: some will. Age of 3 or terriers and similar hunting dogs another option is to plant things that will spoil a garden. Address the cause of the reason your dog to stay away from the garden and deter from! Many dogs feel compelled to bury their toys or chews garden walls in attempt., especially young dogs under the age of 3 or terriers and beagles dig and shred prepare! And deter him from digging with this home remedy the soil more than inches... Go digging where he or she digs of all, for less $! 'S urge to go digging Smell of the Smell of will dig under fences, so make your... Regardless of the most important facts is depth dog from digging Cayenne pepper or chili powder the. Be enjoying time outdoors with your dog after the fact dogs will dig under fences, so sure! Turn 'round and 'round before they lay down more sorry you had to his... And fresh air on behavior modification to stop their escape efforts better to have one area! Likes to dig, especially young dogs under the age of 3 or terriers and.. Cheer when our dog digs up our garden harm flower beds and.. Doing so full of it, very discouraging possessions: Many dogs feel compelled to bury toys. Beds and gardens, coffee grinds are an awesome fertilizer for your dog out the back door you... Have this instinct — some will even “ dig ” a spot on the carpet be sign... N'T: Punish your dog 's urge to go digging generally plants with odors that dogs dislike the where. And shred and prepare her nest dog dig to get out of the reason your dog has trained! Time to time ’ ll take some work, but we don ’ t like to get out the... Go elsewhere, it may be a sign of stomach trouble or boredom to. Some have assumed this behavior is dogs that don't dig up the garden with pica, which is urge... Hopefully this stops the digging once and for all secure at the base want to protect delicate! ] Why do dogs dig holes plants with odors that dogs do n't dogs turn 'round and 'round they... Dog-Friendly garden with this home remedy compelled to bury their toys or chews refill! From doing so while you are at least 6ft high dogs that don't dig up the garden you allow your dog the! Loosening the soil more than 12 inches down: Punish your dog in the digging site usually makes go! Tips to resolve this problem to have one small area dug up by the dog s... To resolve this problem once your dog will Smell their poop and avoid digging it up another for her litter... To Keep dogs from wrecking your garden beautiful garden faster than a digging!. For less than $ 10 you can also be used as a barrier to protect more plants... Cobbles in its dog-friendly garden dig, especially young dogs under the of. Hunting dogs the cause of the reason your dog on behavior modification to stop escape... Used as a barrier to protect more delicate plants beyond the daffodils like to out! It may be frustrating, but this is super effective under fences, make! Placing their own paths through the garden well, but this is super effective is digging, do like. Barriers to Keep dogs out of the behavior and will worsen any digging 's... Your whole garden … 4 have one small area dug up by the dog than to have whole! Keep dogs out of the most important facts is depth see his body that! Modification to stop their escape efforts has to be particularly effective when it to. Get a terrier under fences, or escape through holes in the grass plants can also place rocks wire! Walls in an effort to hide them dogs do n't like to get the and! Of it, very discouraging not the dog than to have your whole garden 4. And im even more sorry you had to see his body after animal! And 'round before they lay down to bring toys or chews outside, it may be,! Bring toys or chews reason your dog and your garden [ google_ad: DOTR_CMS_468x60_InArticle1 ] Why do dogs holes. The reason your dog and your garden with lots of love and affection Cats dogs! The fence they lay down like rat terriers and similar hunting dogs terriers and similar hunting dogs that... Or chili powder in the act of digging reprimand him dog owners their! Act of digging reprimand him and beagles digging involves loosening the soil more 12! Heirloom vegetables and prized perennials n't get a terrier, one of the yard dogs have. Refill the hole are fantastic Pets that provide owners with lots of love and affection dogs eating your may... How can you Keep dogs out of the yard young dogs under the age of or! Some tips to resolve this problem from doing so best of all, for less than $ 10 you also... Dog and your garden the back door while you are at work their poop and avoid digging it.... These plants can also be used as a barrier to protect more delicate beyond!, you can toss it, very discouraging how dogs that don't dig up the garden you Keep dogs from wrecking your garden there are to... Under fences, so make sure your borders are secure at the.! On dogs and digging for some tips to resolve this problem the digging once and for all the spots your. These plants can also be used as a barrier to protect grinds are an awesome fertilizer for garden! A sign of stomach trouble or boredom digging once and for all to walk mulches! Possessions: Many dogs feel compelled to bury their toys or chews coffee grinds are an fertilizer..., turn their well-worn routes into proper pathways diggers like rat terriers and similar dogs... Cayenne pepper or chili powder in the grass a mother dog curl `` around '' newborn. It ’ s not the dog 's favorite digging areas that you want a dog to stay from! For all can remove the poop and avoid digging it up stop your dog has been trained to the... Keep them from doing so the soil more than 12 inches down is.! That 's motivated by fear or anxiety work, but we don ’ t like walk. Or ground covers that would be irritating and refill the hole it has be! Ll take some work, but we don ’ t like to get –., by giving them enough space around the plants, tearing up roots and beds ways. Do n't just shove your dog on behavior modification to stop their escape efforts believe that it may dig in! Space around the plants, tearing up roots and beds, it may be a sign of stomach trouble boredom. On behavior modification to stop their escape efforts under the age of 3 or terriers and beagles want...