How to Stop Dogs from Digging

• He is attracted by the smell of fresh dirt, mud, fertilizers, manure or plantings
• He is bored and is looking for something to occupy himself with
• He is looking for little critters that are generally found in the garden
• He is not properly exercised and digs to dispel his excess energy
• He is trying to grab your attention
• He wants a personalized shelter, probably to escape various climatic conditions
• He wants to have fun
• He wants to store his food and other hunts

• Bury chicken wire with some dirt near his digging area. The sensation he feels when his paws scrape the wires will prevent him from digging.
• Confine your dog in a crate or leash him, when you are not around (till the time you have successfully eliminated his digging habit).
• Cover his digging hole with his own poop. It will greatly discourage him to dig further. However this solution is breed-specific.
• Don't dig earth while gardening in front of your dog. It simply motivates him to imitate you and dig.
• Get rid of rodents and little critters in your garden.
• Give him adequate exercise and play time, so that he remains physically and mentally stimulated.
• Hide some water balloons in the holes. They will pop in his face and make him associate negative feeling with the act of digging.
• Keep freshly tilled soil out of your dog's reach. Fence the area if required.
• Make a sand box and fill it with freshly tilled earth and dog treats. Your dog can dig in the box without wrecking your garden.
• Provide entertainment diversions to your dog, so that he is not bored and hence, forced to dig.
• Provide your dog with a proper shelter and regulate it with the various climatic changes.
• Whenever he digs, use the water hose in the garden to wet him and alert him that what he is doing is inappropriate.