A pet owner would be annoyed by the dog’s habit of digging holes. Digging, barking and chewing are natural behaviors of dogs thus although these behaviors can be modified they cannot be totally eliminated. Whenever given a chance, a dog will dig. Dogs are lovable and at times exasperating pets because unknowing that digging is an unacceptable behavior, the holes it has made on the garden would be presented to the master with a happily wagging tail.
Dogs are affectionate pets that have the desire of pleasing the master and digging holes can be its way of repaying the master for all the love and the care it has received. Dogs are well loved pets but it would certainly be frustrating if the garden that eats a lot of your free time will be destroyed by the dog again and again. Dog owners would always want to be with the pet thus locking the dog in a kennel to prevent it from digging holes will not be a very good idea. What about recognizing the reasons why the dog digs? Dealing with the reasons why the dog digs can be a better solution to modify the destructive behavior.
The dogs’ unwanted digging behavior will always be attributed to boredom. Boredom is always one of the reasons for the dog’s unacceptable behaviors. Dogs, apart from being energetic are social animals as well. Digging holes is only one of the destructive behaviors dogs will develop if not given the opportunity to expend excess energies or the chance to interact with the human family.
Dogs would always want to receive attention from the family but because of tight schedules, pet owners may not have the time to bond with the pet thus the destructive digging behavior will be developed. The irate master would scold the dog but in a dog’s thinking, reprimand would be better than being ignored. Dogs would dig holes to gain freedom. Dogs have the inclination to roam. Dogs are curious animals thus the sounds and scents on the other side of the fence will be very interesting. To get to the other side, the dog will dig tunnels.
Digging is fun. When the weather is hot the dog will be seen frantically digging. Lying on a newly dug hole will cool the dog’s heated body. In the wild, these animals would dig holes to hide the prey. Dogs use holes to store food in the same way that we humans use refrigerators. Dogs will be seen digging holes to bury bones and other “treasures” that can be unearthed when food is scarce.
More about why dogs dig holes and first aid for dogs at Sarah’s Dogs.
