There are many reasons why dogs dig. For some, it is characteristic of their breed. They are going after prey, real or imagined. Dogs that are confined to a yard have a great need to dig. During the winter, they dig to build a den or warming chamber. During the summer, they dig to create a cooling pit. Some dogs dig to escape. They want to escape because they are domesticated and, therefore, have a great need to be with people. Dogs also need to be with their own kind from time to time and, if confined, will dig to join their canine companions. Most dogs dig to bury bones and, later, to recover them. Whatever the reason, your solution to this problem will be to eliminate your dog’s motivation for digging or to redirect the digging from an inappropriate to an appropriate place.

Praise your dog when he is not digging! Punishment for digging will create more stress and result in an increased rate of digging as a means of alleviating tension. Corrections, such as tying your dog to a stake in the hole, or filling the hole with water and pushing his head in it, are abusive. These often-mentioned tactics serve to break the bond between you and your dog.

A dog left alone all day in the yard will be bored. Give him plenty of exercise before leaving and, if possible, ask a neighbor to take him for a walk during the day. Better yet, give him access to the house through a pet door.

To redirect a dog’s digging to a more appropriate place, you must be prepared to spend some time on training. First, create a "sandbox" or an area where it is okay for your dog to dig. Next, soften the soil and bury a food treat in your dog’s presence. Say, "Dig!" and praise him for finding the food treat. Do this several times until he gets the idea. Then, take him in the house. Go outside and bury a food treat. Release him from the house with the command, "Dig!" followed by praise for finding the treat. Repeat this until the behavior is learned. After this, if he digs someplace other than his "sandbox," go out into the yard and firmly say, "NO DIG!" and immediately take him over to the "sandbox" and say, "Dig," followed by praise if he does so. You may have to continue this training schedule for several days and reinforce his digging in the "sandbox"

by burying a food treat a few times each day. Do not give up! Your dog is intelligent and will figure this out.