Why does a dog dig holes?
Dogs often surprise their owners with strange behavior, and one of the most common and sometimes unpleasant habits is digging holes.
Many pet owners are faced with the fact that their dog, regardless of breed and age, suddenly begins to dig the ground in the garden, on the plot or even in the house.
This can cause not only anxiety but also irritation, especially if such a "digger" destroys neat flower beds or digs deep holes in places where you don't expect it. But there is much more behind this behavior than just a desire to have fun or play.
To understand why a dog digs holes, you need to take into account various factors: from the pet’s psycho-emotional state to its physical health and breed characteristics.
For example, dogs with high activity levels or working breeds such as terriers often have stronger digging instincts. At the same time, digging can be a sign of anxiety or a lack of mental and physical stimulation, which is especially true for city pets.
In this article, together with dog trainer Diana Belyaeva, we will take a closer look at the various reasons why dogs dig holes.
Digging is a species-typical behavior for a dog. It is a species need. An activity like digging makes your dog's life prosperous.
Your pet may dig because it is genetically programmed. The animal was bred for "this" task. Therefore, before buying a puppy, carefully read the history of the breed.
The dog is simply bored. Digging holes entertains itself while the owner is busy. Digging is a coping strategy when the animal gets into a stressful situation. Scratching the ground with its paws helps the dog cope with stressors. Digging can be replaced by searching, chewing, etc.
The dog may simply be hot. It tears up the top layer of soil to lie down on its belly and cool down. It is possible to tear up the soil to bury prey. This is part of hunting behavior.
Many dogs bury bones and crusts. They leave a scent over a larger radius of the territory after hygienic matters, with their hind legs. This is how scent exchange with relatives occurs.
Interest. Dogs are curious animals. Therefore, they may start digging a hole out of interest.
Therefore, before scolding your dog for such behavior, first find out the reason. Maybe this is how she copes with stress or is there a treasure waiting for her underground? The solution? Make your pet a "legal" bed or teach her alternative behavior.
For reference
A dog is a domestic animal, one of the most popular companion animals.
