I. Why do dogs go digging

In today's rapidly urbanizing world, dogs are rarely kept outdoors as freely as they were in the village, so few people have seen dogs digging holes either. I'm sure you've heard of dogs rubbing their blankets or mats with their front feet and then rotating them a bit. Why would a dog dig a hole? Here, we introduce the reasons why dogs dig and the countermeasures to stop it.

1, instinct, habit
Den building
Wolves, which are considered to be the ancestors of dogs, have always lived by digging holes to build dens. The reason why dogs dig holes is said to be because of the inheritance of this gene. Doing actions such as digging beds and couches before going to sleep can be seen as building a den. This is a natural action out of instinct, that is, in strong winds, and rainfall, but also to protect their houses (caves) to sleep in peace. Of course, there is also the meaning of making the bed.

Marking
There are also cases of digging holes to increase their scent. The dog's skin will have sweat glands, so what it touches will smell, and this smell can be used as a marker. It is said that the action of kicking with the hind legs after a dog excretes is not to cover the excrement but to kick the dirt behind him and spread his scent. This is not only an olfactory marker that spreads the odor, but also a visual marker that allows the other person to see the dog's movement when it kicks backward.

Habits
Wild dogs, rabbit hounds, terriers, etc., which used to be hunting dogs that loved to catch prey in their nests, tend to dig holes. Some dogs will use the scent of animals, food, and plants as an opportunity to dig, making themselves happy and developing habits in the process of digging. Hunting dogs can often be seen excitedly digging holes in dog houses or areas with dirt. Also, after digging, they like to use their nose to bury their favorite toys and bones, which may be to hide their traces.

2銆丒motional performance, stress
Expression of happy and satisfied feelings
Digging holes is like going to get a ball or running around as a kind of exercise and game. Seeing a dog happily digging a hole, a dog with no experience in digging at all will imitate it and play. Some dogs will dig holes because of the satisfaction and reassurance of having a full stomach after eating, and some dogs will dig holes involuntarily because they are in high spirits because of something. There are also cases where they pass the time by having nothing to do, being too idle, or too bored. Some dogs remember the owner's reaction when they dug a hole in the past and dig to attract attention.

Feeling stressed
Lack of exercise, less time for communication or skin-to-skin contact with the owner, etc. can lead to dissatisfaction, which can cause stress in dogs. The digging action is also considered a greeting signal when the dog is stressed and upset. The so-called "Keminis signal" is to calm down, or use body movements or ears, mouth, tail, etc. to send signals to the other party to communicate "calm down", "I will not attack you ", "scary", "let's play together" and other information.

Consequences
If the stress is not eliminated, digging will become a regular behavior. Frequent consequences are the state of eliminating uneasiness and stress by compulsively repeating the same action over and over again. Dogs can relieve their anxiety and stress by repeating the digging action over and over again.

3銆乀emperature
The nest dug in the dirt has many advantages: well ventilated, warm in winter, and cool in summer. If the dog is hooked on digging holes in the yard, perhaps this is to cool off on hot days and warm up on cold days.

Precautions to take when discouraging
Dogs are instinctive diggers, and some are tenacious in their habits. You will have a hard time getting him to completely give up digging out of instinct and habit. However, if the yard gets too messy and important furniture gets damaged, you must stop it in time.
First, understand why dogs dig holes. If it's instinctive and habitual, then don't let your dog dig, and help your dog find a pastime instead of digging. When digging indoors, try to get your dog on some rugs and towels that have been destroyed or damaged. If the dog is trying to get the owner's attention, it's not that hard to stop it. Don't react while your dog is digging, and it won't be long before the dog gives up the act.

One thing to watch out for: is stress-induced digging behavior. Let's find out the cause of the stress first. Eliminating the cause and removing the stress and upset from your pet dog is of utmost importance. If the cause is addressed, the problem behavior will also improve. There are many causes of stress, such as lack of exercise, lack of contact with the owner, long hours of house-sitting, and changes in the environment. Be sure to be more observant of your pet dog in general.

II. Why do dogs always dig near the fence?

Dogs have an instinct to dig, and they may do so for several reasons, including relaxation, expending energy, communicating, or even simply enjoying the behavior. While this can be enjoyable, it's not good if your dog is digging indiscriminately in your backyard. Excessive digging in the yard can destroy lawns, and flower beds or cause unnecessary trouble, and it's the dog running out of the yard that should be the biggest concern. Find the cause of your dog's digging and treat it right to save your backyard!

Reasons why dogs dig under the fence
For cooler temperatures
Digging is an instinctive behavior, so it's a common behavior under normal circumstances. In the heat, dogs will do what they can to cool down. They may cool down by seeking shade, panting, and other behaviors. And a hole in the ground provides a place for the dog to cool off.

Hunting
Your dog may try to chase small animals underground and dig a path that leads to them, which is especially common in the hound breed. However, this can also happen after the dog has seen the animal hiding underground for some time. In addition, dogs can smell things that we cannot see. Therefore, they may be able to hear or smell animals underground and try to dig them up.

Anxiety
Experts have studied many unwanted behaviors in many dogs, including digging. They found that when dogs are anxious, the frequency of digging increases. Anxiety in dogs is similar to humans and can show up in repetitive habits, such as excessive repetition of an action, barking, or digging. Anxiety can appear within an hour or can develop gradually over several months. Therefore, the regularity of this type of digging is different, and anxiety remains the main cause for such a long period. It is a habit that can be detected by the environment in which they live, the care they receive, or their breed and personality.

Enjoyment
Sometimes dogs will dig simply because they enjoy it. Whether it's because of a stress release or simply the excitement of being outside, these can help dogs express enjoyment. You can see dogs imitate digging behavior with a blanket, and digging behavior is not limited by the site.

Energetic and Bored
This factor can be based on the individual and breed type. Dogs with high energy levels need more stimulation than dogs with low energy levels, which can lead to dogs exhibiting destructive behaviors if their energy levels are not depleted. The use of dog toys can provide some help here! If a dog has been thoroughly exercised, then they are less likely to dig in and do damage. Some breeds are born with a higher energy level, such as Labradors. Therefore, owners need to understand the characteristics of their dog breed and make a targeted plan to meet their need to be active.

Confinement
Confinement leads to digging for three reasons: escape, anxiety, and boredom. We've disguised anxiety and boredom, and Dr. Ian Dunbar says some dogs escape by digging out because they can't stand the boredom and anxiety of being confined alone in the yard.
To prevent dogs from wreaking havoc in the house, owners still need to spend a little time playing and walking with their dogs to burn off a good amount of energy.