Sometimes it becomes a habit of dogs to dig under the fence. There are multiple reasons behind this behavior, but it’s hard to get rid of their habits.
But before we proceed towards the methods of stopping your dog from digging under the fence, you must know the reasons behind such behavior. Because escaping is not the reason every time. Sometimes it can be a completely different issue that can be handled very easily.
Contents
Factors that cause your dog to dig under the fence
Several factors can cause your dog to dig under the fence. Here are some of the common factors that can lead your dog to dig under the fence.
Entertainment
Sometimes your dog starts getting bored that becomes the main reason behind their bad habits, such as digging under the fence. When you leave your dog alone at home for several hours without engaging him in productive activity. Your dog gets bored and starts looking for some fun as a result he prefers digging under the fence.
Lack of attention
When it comes to attention your dog can do anything to achieve your attention. If attention is the matter, your dog will not only dig under the fence, but he will start digging in front of you. He doesn’t intend to escape from the yard but just wants to you that he needs your attention.
Escaping from the yard
It becomes the reason when your dog sees other dogs roaming outside. He needs the company of other dogs and wants to enjoy the same freedom. If you want to resolve this issue, you can indulge your dog in several exercises and take him along with you for a morning and evening walk.
How to keep your dog from digging under the fence?
Now, if you have understood why your dog is digging under the fence. We can move toward the solutions.
Set up a digging zone for your dog
If your dog has a born habit of digging the soil, you can try out this strategy. This helps only when your dog needs a specific place to dig, but he doesn’t want to escape at all.
Prepare an area with loose soil or sand by hiding some healthy objects or toys under the soil. Now let your dog dig under this place. If he digs and finds the objects successfully, praise him with plenty of treats.
If he still digs the areas he is not supposed to dig, you can cover those areas with rocks or chicken wire. Moreover, you can give your dog an aggressive and strong command by saying “No Dig”. If he responds to your command praise him with plenty of treats.
Indulge your dog in healthy exercises and activities
If lack of entertainment is the reason behind this behavior of your dog then you have to busy him with several healthy exercises.
Take him for a morning and evening walk along with you. So that he sees a healthy environment and finds mental peace. Moreover, you can seek a professional dog trainer’s help to teach your dog healthy activities and exercises.
Also, make sure to leave your dog surrounded by healthy toys or objects when you are not around. Make sure to give him a healthy environment that keeps him busy.
Take humanely steps to keep animals out
If your dog digs under the fence to catch prey then you need to keep those animals and insects out of your house. Small insects and little animals can be prey for your dog.
If you are thinking about using toxic substances to kill those insects and animals then it’s safe for your pets either. You can take humane steps to keep those animals and insects out of your yard.
You have the option of using a gypsum mixture to ward off those insects. You can also use chicken wire to keep those animals out of reach of your dog. For this, you need to bury the chicken wire down at least 6 inches. This will limit the incoming animals or earthworms to enter your yard.
Praise the Good and Ignore the Bad
Sometimes, pets and kids become huge attention seekers, and it’s not a healthy habit. If you think that your dog is digging the soil to grab your attention, it’s your responsibility to spend some quality playtime with him.
You can take your dog on morning and evening walks and play with him. You can also indulge him in healthy activities like playing with toys.
If your dog needs valid attention then fulfill his demands. But if he is becoming an attention seeker through negative behavior then ignore his activities.
Make him learn that good habits would reward him with plenty of attention and treats. And if he will do negative actions like digging under the fence he will only be ignored.
If your dog successfully learns this lesson then he will never be digging again under the fence.
Keep the environment safe and full of fun
If you think that your dog is digging under the fence to escape the yard then you need to take some steps.
If you want to keep your pet out of other dog mates then make sure to keep the environment safe and healthy for him or her.
Arrange some healthy activities in your yard to keep him engaged. You can set some boundaries to keep your dog out of the fence. For this, you can place heavy objects or rocks that will prevent the dog from digging under the fence.
Final Word
I hope that the above methods would work for you. But before taking steps make sure to understand the behavior of your dog. Once you know the reason behind your dog’s bad habits you can take steps to prevent those.
Don’t be too harsh or strict on your dog. Try to understand your dog’s behavior and give him some time to understand your point of view.
Always try to take humane steps to teach your dog good manners and reward with plenty of treats.