Canine Behaviour Foundation Course
Module 2 - Section - 12 - Excessive Digging
Module 2 - Section - 12 - Excessive Digging
1. General
2. Modifications
3. Breed Related Digging
1. General
In Module 1 – Preventing Behaviour Problems in pups (Module 1 Section 13), we have already spoken a bit about digging and why it happens, and here we will concentrate on the modifications to change same, but first let’s review the reasons why dog’s dig holes:-
In the last year (2014-2015) Researchers from Bristol University and University College in London (UK) discovered using laboratory mice that a type of friendly bacteria commonly found in soil (Mycobacterium vaccae) increases the release and metabolism of serotonin in parts of the brain that control cognitive function and mood, much like serotonin – boosting antidepressant drugs do.
If this is indeed the case an added bonus is that the bacteria is totally safe with no side effects occurring (Unless the owner throws something at the digging dog!). So, just as most dogs know instinctively which plants to chew on to relieve a sore tummy, so too they instinctively seem to know that there is more to plain digging than meets the eye!
Your very first step is to determine why the behaviour is happening and your questionnaire will give you the background information you need.
In Module 1 – Preventing Behaviour Problems in pups (Module 1 Section 13), we have already spoken a bit about digging and why it happens, and here we will concentrate on the modifications to change same, but first let’s review the reasons why dog’s dig holes:-
- Digging is a natural doggy behaviour (especially making a den) and some breeds are more prone to digging than others as it is part of their genetic makeup.
- A female may dig a hole prior to giving birth to use as a den.
- As shelter – to cool themselves down or as a warmer place to lie.
- For storage of food
- The area has just had fertilizer applied – many dogs love the smell of fertilizer.
- Freshly turned earth seems to encourage many dogs to start digging.
- Hunting for harvester ants, moles or similar under the ground.
- It has been found that if there is water or electrical pipe under the ground, a dog will be more prone to dig in this area – often the digging pattern will follow the line of the piping underground.
- To escape
- Boredom and/or frustration
- Attention seeking behaviour – the dog has been shouted at for digging and receives additional attention by engaging in this activity.
- If dog only digs when owner is out, then possible Separation Anxiety.
In the last year (2014-2015) Researchers from Bristol University and University College in London (UK) discovered using laboratory mice that a type of friendly bacteria commonly found in soil (Mycobacterium vaccae) increases the release and metabolism of serotonin in parts of the brain that control cognitive function and mood, much like serotonin – boosting antidepressant drugs do.
If this is indeed the case an added bonus is that the bacteria is totally safe with no side effects occurring (Unless the owner throws something at the digging dog!). So, just as most dogs know instinctively which plants to chew on to relieve a sore tummy, so too they instinctively seem to know that there is more to plain digging than meets the eye!
Your very first step is to determine why the behaviour is happening and your questionnaire will give you the background information you need.
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2. Modifications
First step is to see which of the dogs needs are not being met and address same and never under estimate the importance of Management. Depending on the rest of the dog’s interactions with the owners we would probably bring in House Rules. If the dog is only digging when owner is out, consider Separation Anxiety and see if other factors that indicate Sep Anx are evident.
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- Ways to cover and stop the dog digging in existing areas can include putting some chicken wire over the area being dug and pegging it in place – however this can hurt a dogs paws. If the holes are deep, a good startle response to use is to dig a hole, place in a fully blown up balloon and lightly cover the hole with loose dirt – this works a charm, but owner will have to be consistent and make sure that all holes are treated in the same manner – remember owner must never be associated with the startle method. I would never recommend this for a nervous dog, especially one that is worried about loud noises as the sound of the balloon popping could cause major stress.
- Another startle response method to use is the use of the hose pipe. Owner will have to be at home, and out of sight of the dog to use this method and an additional feature that is required is the use of one of the Gardenia spray attachments that stops water exiting the hose pipe and has to be turned to the side to open – as the water has already accumulated, this results in an immediate and hard spray which can be aimed at the digging dog – remember there must be no association with the owner – the dog must view this as the reaction that happens each and every time it tries to dig a hole. Of course the new digging pit must be available for alternative use!
- An old wives tale that does seem to deter some dogs is to collect your dog’s stools for a few days and then bury same in the area where the dog digs with a little soil covering to prevent flies. However, Ion average all this achieves is that the dog digs somewhere else.
- If termites/harvest ants are suspected, pest control to be undertaken bearing in mind this must be pet friendly.
- If an underground wire or water, the easiest method here is to put down the chicken wire the length of the piping where the dog is digging, together with a product such as Dog Off pellets or similar product and at the same time provide alternative such as digging pit.
- As above, the use of Dog Off pellets or a similar product. However these do not deter all dogs and need to be replenished on a regular basis, especially in the rainy season.
- Avoid having your dog in the area when anybody is working in it digging or planting.
- If dog tends to dig in flower beds where soil likely to be loose and perhaps have had fertilizer or compost put down – fence these areas off from the dog until the digging problem is solved.
- In the event of the dog trying to dig its way out of the property, I would definitely use the balloon method above as well as placing some heavy blocks, almost like a foundation below ground next to the balloons and use some of the Pet off Pellets. Here you may have to do some further investigation into when this is likely to happen (perhaps when owner out – sep anx), times of day, circumstances etc to determine if any other factors at play.
- Increase mental stimulation by way of stuffed chew toys and daily walks (especially at the time of day when digging normally happens, if at all possible). Increase playing time in garden with owner – games of balls etc to decrease energy levels.
- Digging pit to be kept stocked
3. Breed Related Digging
Although all dogs will dog and with some it may be to make a hole to keep cool in, with others it may be out of boredom or frustration, with some breeds at some stage they were bred to engage in this activity and is very important with breeds such as this that we allow an outlet for their natural tendencies.
The breeds more likely to dig are more likely to be:
Dachshund - this breed was originally bred to use their short, but strong legs to burrow deep and even making tunnels while they went after prey such as badgers, moles and rodents. Both the Dachshund and Terriers have slightly turned out feet to a degree and these help them to dig easier.
Terriers – did you know that the word Terrier comes from the Latin ‘terra’ and means ‘earth dog’? All Terriers are good diggers and the Scottish and West Highland Terriers in-particular, such as the Cairn terrier, were bred for preying on vermin.
Even the Bedlington terrier, who often looks more like a lamb than a dog, was originally bred to hunt vermin in the mines of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England.
The Miniature Schnauzer who belongs to the Terrier group is a digger supreme and was also bred to get rid of vermin and if there are any rodents in the property they will not stay around for long!
Beagle – like many of the scent hounds Beagles will dig to find prey and are also very good at digging out of the yard to follow prey – so be warned!
Griffon – although we do not have many of these in SA, they were bred to be hunters and if bored they will dig, and dig and dig!
Siberian Husky – although not bred for chasing vermin, the Husky is more likely to dig to keep himself cool in the cooler moisture under the soil or if the weather is very cold, as in the cold climates it may dig to keep itself warm. When bored they will often engage in digging up the whole garden and they are known as escape artists supreme.
Two other breeds that were not bred to dig but tend to do so when bored and /or frustrated are the Border collie and also the Australian Shepherds.
Although all dogs will dog and with some it may be to make a hole to keep cool in, with others it may be out of boredom or frustration, with some breeds at some stage they were bred to engage in this activity and is very important with breeds such as this that we allow an outlet for their natural tendencies.
The breeds more likely to dig are more likely to be:
Dachshund - this breed was originally bred to use their short, but strong legs to burrow deep and even making tunnels while they went after prey such as badgers, moles and rodents. Both the Dachshund and Terriers have slightly turned out feet to a degree and these help them to dig easier.
Terriers – did you know that the word Terrier comes from the Latin ‘terra’ and means ‘earth dog’? All Terriers are good diggers and the Scottish and West Highland Terriers in-particular, such as the Cairn terrier, were bred for preying on vermin.
Even the Bedlington terrier, who often looks more like a lamb than a dog, was originally bred to hunt vermin in the mines of Bedlington, Northumberland in North East England.
The Miniature Schnauzer who belongs to the Terrier group is a digger supreme and was also bred to get rid of vermin and if there are any rodents in the property they will not stay around for long!
Beagle – like many of the scent hounds Beagles will dig to find prey and are also very good at digging out of the yard to follow prey – so be warned!
Griffon – although we do not have many of these in SA, they were bred to be hunters and if bored they will dig, and dig and dig!
Siberian Husky – although not bred for chasing vermin, the Husky is more likely to dig to keep himself cool in the cooler moisture under the soil or if the weather is very cold, as in the cold climates it may dig to keep itself warm. When bored they will often engage in digging up the whole garden and they are known as escape artists supreme.
Two other breeds that were not bred to dig but tend to do so when bored and /or frustrated are the Border collie and also the Australian Shepherds.
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Assignment
- List 5 reasons why excess digging may occur.
- List 4 modifications that could be brought in that you consider the most important and why you consider them important.
