Why Your Dog Won’t Stop Digging Holes: The Truth Revealed
Anant Singh | Sep 25, 2025, 10:54 IST
Dog Digging a Hole in the Yard
( Image credit : Freepik )
Ever walked out to your backyard and found it full of holes? You are not the only one who has experienced this, digging up mud is the most common behaviour trait of our dogs. It looks and feels like destruction but it actually is the opposite of that, it is a sign that they are trying to fulfil a specific need of theirs.Understanding why and when they dig up mud is the first step to managing their natural habit without giving them any harsh punishments.
Instinct and Ancestry
Dog Reflecting Its Wolf Ancestry in the Wild
( Image credit : Freepik )
Dogs have the instinct to dig as they are the descendants of wolves. Since ages dogs and their descendants have dug holes for various reasons like, creating homes, storing food, and even to lure in prey for food.
Breeds like the Dachshunds, Huskies and Terriers have a strong instinct to dig holes in the homes that they live in. Your pets do not need to dig holes to survive, but the instinct in them lives on.
To Hide or Retrieve Objects
Dog Playing with Toy Before Hiding It in the Yard
( Image credit : Freepik )
The instinct to dig holes is also a way of them to save the best for later. They often tend to store their favourite toys, chew bones and food to use them for a later time. Their prized possession is often kept inside the dug up hole.
It is like a hidden stash of theirs, where you will find their most adored items. Holes are dug not to destroy gardens, but as a feeling of keeping their items safe and secure.
Temperature Regulation
Dog Seeking Comfort in the Earth’s Natural Coolness
( Image credit : Unsplash )
The mud and soil in a hot day might be cooler than their beds, in which case they dig holes to find thee right temperature to sit and cool themselves down. The opposite happens in the winters, where they dig up holes to find a warm and safe space to lie down.
Digging is used by them to find the optimum temperature for their bodies, just like an air conditioner.
Hunting Instincts
Dog Digging in the Yard to Uncover Hidden Treasures
( Image credit : Unsplash )
Digging is a way to satisfy their prey drive, which has been inbuilt since generations. Dogs usually look for small prey like worms and insects that live beneath the top soil.
If your dog has been digging in one place for a while, they might have sensed some living creature below the surface of the soil.
Boredom and Excess Energy
Husky Resting in the Shade After a Day of Play
( Image credit : Unsplash )
Dogs turn to digging when they are bored or they have excess energy in them. A bored dog always turns to destruction for entertainment.
Digging up holes burns their energy, and stimulates their mind. Often digging becomes their favourite hobby and when they do not get enough physical activity, they dig.
Attention-Seeking
Dogs Seeking Attention from Their Owners
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Dogs need to get enough physical and mental attention. If they are not given personal time, they tend to dig up to get attention.
Even if it is negative attention, they find their ways around it and make you take out time for them by running towards them when they start to dig up your garden.
How to Manage Digging
Dog Digging to Get Its Owner's Attention
( Image credit : Unsplash )
The instinct to dig will always remain in the genes of your dog, but here are some ways to reduce excessive digging:
- Provide enough playtime so that they can release their energy in the right place.
- Give them toys and puzzles that stimulate them mentally.
- Do not always stop them from digging, it is an instinct, let them dig a little in a designated space.
- Do not punish them for digging, instead give them another thing to do like playing fetch.
Dog Enjoying a Moment of Digging Bliss
( Image credit : Unsplash )
Digging is not a trait of bad behaviour, it is an instinct which is built in them since generations. Managing this habit is best handled by finding out the source of digging and make it go away without making the relationship of you and your pet sour.
The right way is to manage this habit is by giving your dog adequate exercise, enough mental stimulation and your love and affection.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why does my dog keep digging in the same spot?
Dogs often dig repeatedly in one area if they smell prey underground, have buried something there, or find that spot cooler or more comfortable. - Is digging a sign of behavioral problems in dogs?
Not always. Digging is usually instinctive or environmental. It becomes a problem only when excessive, destructive, or tied to stress and anxiety. - Do certain dog breeds dig more than others?
Yes. Breeds like Terriers, Huskies, and Dachshunds were bred for hunting or burrowing, making them more prone to digging. - How do I stop my dog from ruining my yard?
Increase exercise, provide toys, create a designated digging zone, and eliminate pests. Redirecting the habit works better than punishment.