Digging is a natural dog behaviour. Often their age and breed will determine why and how much they dig. Most dogs start at around 3-5 months old, and pups will often dig up plants, or dig holes in the lawn at every opportunity they get!

Dogs dig for many different reasons and understanding why can help you find ways to reduce how often it occurs. For dogs with a strong drive to dig, there are clean garden and home friendly ways to embrace it!

When little pups start to dig it can be frustrating, but it’s normal and in many cases with some management, most just grow out of it. It’s important to consider your pup’s need for activity, adventure and different surfaces and textures at that early stage of development. Meeting those needs is essential.

Digging often starts when they see, hear, or smell something underground. Often insects moving in the grass can initially trigger a dig; at other times a plant that you’ve just put in the soil steals their interest! Offering them a tasty chew when gardening could help distract a curious pup.

Breeds that have a natural digging drive such as terriers need an outlet for this behaviour, and without it, they’ll just dig wherever they can. A ball pit made from a child’s paddling pool full of plastic balls is a great way for your dog to replicate digging and foraging. Encourage them in by popping treats or a favourite toy inside it. Sand pits are also a good choice for lots of clean digging fun. For a dog-friendly sand pit, choose sand that’s suitable for children’s play activities and remember to cover the pit to deter cats.Show your dog how to dig in the sand using your hands, and often they’ll replicate this with their paws.

Some dogs like to dig to bury their treats and chews, this is natural, but feeding a chew that can be consumed in one go might deter them burying it.

To prevent a digging habit forming, stay with your dog in the garden when they start to dig in a place they shouldn’t, then distract and redirect them with a more suitable and entertaining activity.