Identify your dog’s motivation.
Depending on why your dog feels the need to be digging, they may need different things to be done to prevent them from digging out. For example, we will use a completely different approach if a dog is digging out of fear as opposed to digging for rodents. Understanding your dog’s behavior is key to correcting this. If they are fearful, we don’t want to do anything to set them back. They are our companions and trust us to care for and provide for them. By finding the reason, we can choose the best solution for your specific dog.
Reasons your dog might be digging under the fence
There are many reasons your dog may be digging under, but here are the top reasons we have found that a dog would be digging.
- Your dog is bored
Boredom is one of the most prominent reasons for digging. People often put their dogs in the yard for extended periods, which is fine as long as they aren’t getting heat stroke or freezing in the snow. But what better things do they have to do? They might have none, and that is why they are digging. Hanging in the yard with the same old toys never did the trick. Suppose your dog is an intelligent breed who needs mental stimulation, such as a poodle or german shepherd. In that case, you will want to rethink leaving them out there too long without new things to do, sniff, or interact with.
- Rodents
Some dogs have a higher prey drive than others. This can be seen in hounds or terriers, which are known for their ability to follow scent and go after prey. Even if a dog senses prey beyond the fence, it will likely want to go after it.
- Your dog is guarding.
When a dog perceives a threat, it must go and ensure everything will be okay. If there is a threat beyond the fence, they may dig to see what it is and make sure that nothing gets to their family or home. This is a sweet gesture, but digging out to chase the mailman may cause some issues. Dogs like this are usually stuck on the idea that there’s something out there and they need to ward it away, so dogs guarding may need extra levels of protection with their fencing.
- They crave companionship
Dogs are pack animals, and when they feel alone, they cannot possibly live their best lives. They need another dog or human to be around; if they aren’t getting what they need, they will likely try and escape. This is why giving your dog the attention they need is important. If you have a single-dog household, please remember that you are all they’ve got, and let them hang out with you more if they haven’t been getting enough interaction.
- Mating urges
When a dog isn’t spayed or neutered, it’s instinct to go off and find a mate. This urge can be much stronger than the urge to stick around you or hang out in the confines of your yard. This urge can be even stronger if they can smell or hear another dog nearby, so it’s important to have some understanding of what is driving them to exhibit this behavior so that we can fix it.
- Your dog is anxious
When a dog is digging out of anxiety, it’s important to be gentle with them. Dogs who experience separation anxiety do not get over it by being left in the yard more; they get over it in tiny increments until you can leave them in there longer. They just need to know you are coming back, and that may seem silly to us, but how would they know that? Another fear-based digging response could be prompted by loud things such as fireworks or thunder. If there is fear like that, they are better off kept inside during those times.
How to keep your dog in your yard
Keeping your dog in your yard might include trial and error because no two dogs are alike. Some can break through more barriers regardless of their size, and some will be kept in by something as simple as a line of rocks inside the fence. Regardless, once you know the cause of your dog’s digging, you can pick which one of these will be the most effective for you.
Eliminate rodents in your yard
If you notice that your dog is going after something, you might want to start by eliminating their need to dig out and chase these creatures by keeping them out of your yard. The first step in doing this is to keep your lawn short because small animals like to hide and burrow in a grown-out lawn. The second is to put any composting pile outside the fence and make sure any piles of “junk” get cleared out because these can be excellent places for little rodents to live. You can also repel rodents from your yard by using scents they don’t like that are pet safe, such as white vinegar and citronella oil sprayed on the perimeter of the fence.
Get creative with your fencing
- Plants: One way to keep your dog in a while keeping things looking nice is to plant dog-friendly plants in pots around your fence line. If they are heavy enough, your dog won’t be able to knock them over, and they will work as an aesthetically pleasing barrier.
- Railroad ties: Dogs are not strong enough to dig through railroad ties, so you can use these to line your fence to prevent digging.
- Lay a foundation: this will take time and money, but it’s a long-term way to keep your dog in the fence, and you’ll never have to worry about it again. You can put the concrete foundation down to line your fence, which will do the trick!
- Bury the fence deep: depending on the size of your dog, you can get your fence buried much deeper or just a little deeper to keep them in.
- Haul in rocks: Lining your fence with rocks can work, but if your dog is big and mighty, it may be able to move them.
- L Shaped Chicken wire: You will want to make an L shape trench with the chicken wire to prevent digging. You can start by digging a trench about 12 inches deep and 6 inches wide around the fence line, then face the bottom of the L shape to the inside of the fence. Filling the trench with dirt and stones is essential, so your dog doesn’t dig it up.
Provide your dog with enough exercise
Getting your dog tired is key to stopping boredom digging and may prevent them from digging for any other reason. Dogs usually won’t get the exercise they need just hanging out in the yard all day, so especially with a large and active breed such as a husky, getting them the exercise they need is essential. This will also provide them with connection and mental stimulation, which can eliminate several other reasons for digging.
Use an invisible dog fence.
An invisible dog fence is a great tool and requires a lot of prior training. Unfortunately, you cannot just buy an invisible dog fence and let them figure it out. You will need to teach them where the barrier is that they should not be crossing, and if they decide to do so, they will be corrected by the collar. These collars have a beep and shock setting, so you always want to start with the beep only and go from there. This is not a good solution for dogs digging out of anxiety because it can increase their anxiety.
Distract your dog
A way to help them enjoy the yard is to play with them! You can also buy toys, but it’s best to rotate them out because they could get bored. Puzzle toys are a great way to stay on top of their mental stimulation.
Conclusion
Regardless of why your dog is digging out, there are several physical ways to prevent it. What’s most important is that your dog is happy, healthy, and has its needs met. By understanding why our dog is digging out, we can look for the best solution to prevent it.
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