How to Keep Dog From Digging Under Fence

Is your dream of having a dog in a private house with a beautiful lawn and fence line? Please wait until it becomes a moonscape with craters everywhere. Just joking, don’t wait. Dogs’ digging is annoying, but don’t put the blame on your pet – you can take it under control. I’ve tried a couple of things before finding the solution to keep my dog from digging under the fence. Come and check it out.

Diagnose the Problem. Why Dogs Dig?

Before getting upset and punishing your dog for digging up your yard, harden your fence – make sure you know why he does it. A few common reasons can help you find the solution after identifying it.

Entertainment

Dogs may dig for entertainment as digging can keep them occupied. It’s fun for them to dig and then put a nose into a hole, splash the soil around or give a bath for themselves to roll into it. Have you ever seen how they do it?

Why does it happen? Usually, dogs tend to dig into boredom or loneliness. If you leave your dog alone in the yard for long periods and have no toys or human interaction during the day – he can get sad. Dogs are pretty much companionship-oriented animals. And they have to occupy their minds by doing something actively. Especially – if they are an active breed, they don’t get enough playtime or exercise.

Hunting

Digging is a natural behavior for most dog breeds. If you own a dog whose breed was bred for hunting, those dogs have a much stronger instinct to dig or den their way out. Genetics plays a critical role here, and it’s not their fault they have this urge to hunt for the prey.

Comfort and Protection

Providing shelter from the sun and rain is extremely important if you keep your dog in a yard. Otherwise, your dog will probably dig the ground to create a relaxed and comfortable spot to lay down.

Why does it happen? The ground is always much colder, a few inches below the surface when there is warm or even hot weather. Or there is no shadow for your dog to hide in. Dogs can dig down to create a cool space to relax and protect themselves from overheating. What is more, the sun is constantly moving, and so does your dog. So don’t be surprised if you find several different pits in your yard.

Also, your dog loves and needs to lay on a soft surface. The grass might not always be the best solution. So if you don’t leave anything else for your dog to lay on, your dog might dig a hole into the fitting body, making a perfect spot for resting.

Attention

To receive your attention and interaction. Dogs are human friends, and they enjoy company very much. Sometimes they act like kids to get your attention – even by developing an irritating habit. They can start digging into your presence if they don’t get enough of your time or are left alone with no toys.

Escape

If your dog is digging under or along your fence, it might signify that he is trying to escape. This can happen due to a couple of reasons. First of all, your fence might not provide the security your dog needs. And he can be triggered by passengers or other pets behind the fence. Secondly, your yard is not dog-friendly enough to stay occupied. I used to have a dog that would always go and try to escape every time I left the house. He was not used to being left alone, and I had to trick him every time until he learned to stay calm. So the training is essential – your dog needs to be trained well to remain within the fenced area.

Problem-solving. Changing the Conditions.

After identifying the cause of your dog’s unbidden behavior, you can start choosing a suitable approach to stop it. It’s like a relationship – you need to work on that for both sides to be happy. Generally speaking, to prevent your dog from digging, you need to start by confirming your dog is well taken care of. Here are a few steps on how you can do it.

Spend More Time With your Dog. Keep your Dog Entertained.

Sadly, some people tend to forget why they have a dog in the first place. Dogs depend on their owners, and they need constant attention and exercise. By only giving them space in a yard, we are not providing them lifetime happiness. We (dog owners) need to ensure a dog has enough walk and playtime daily. Dogs need to get tired, both emotionally and physically. Depending on your dog’s breed, keep your training and games intense and entertaining enough. Even when you are not around, a dog needs to have something to play with.

Stop Your Dog From Hunting Prey

As I mentioned before, some of the dogs are natural hunters. They can be tempted by any sound or smell and start digging your yard to catch the prey. In this case, it’s your job to make your yard as much unattractive to the burrowing animals as possible. Please make sure you use safe and humane methods to fence them out. For your dog’s sake, don’t use anything that can be toxic or dangerous to other of your pets or even children.

Besides digging to hunt wild animals, dogs sometimes bury their food, treats, and toys to dig up later. Here, you would have to improvise by giving your dog different-sized toys or bones to see which ones are too difficult to bury.

Give Your Dog More Shelter or a Safe Place to Rest

If you keep your dog outside or cannot bring them inside when the weather changes, make sure he always finds a place to hide from direct sun, rain, or even snow. It also has to be comfortable enough to lay down. The last thing to mention – is don’t forget to leave some water in an untippable bow unless you want your four-legged friend to get dehydrated.

Remember, Dogs Love Attention

If your dog is digging to get your attention, you should ignore this and never punish your dog after the fact. Rather than this, it would be best if you remembered to give lots of praise for “good dog” behavior. Finally, make sure he is regularly walked and played with to keep your dog happy.

Offer Alternative Digging. DIY Dog Sandbox.

To prevent your dog from digging, you need to make sure his mind is occupied with something else. Another solution is to give him a chance to do what he wants but only in the designated area. In this case, there is a great alternative – a DIY dog sandbox. This can be a freestanding box (borders protect the sand from being splashed around) or simply a designated pit area somewhere in the corner of the yard. Besides, do not forget to spend some time training your dog to use this sandbox in the way you want.

Make Improvements to Your Fence and Yard

If you’ve already addressed your dog’s behaviors and he is still into digging. There are different approaches to doing it according to your yard looks. Then another effective way to prevent your buddy from digging under the fence or yard can be physical prevention.

Adjust Existing Fences

Some dogs are simply unstoppable when they want to dig their way out. If you had built your fence before your dog came to your house, you would have to adjust to the existing fence to fortify it and make it fully dig-resistant.

• L-Footer Type

L – footer type fencing is a wire fencing laid down along the bottom of the fence and the base (90 degrees angle). This type of fence eliminates the gap between the ground and the fence, and your pooch cannot dig under.

The most important thing here is to attach all the fencing securely ends to keep it steady. Some people bury the footer down in the ground, but it’s not necessary. You can leave it on top of the grass, but don’t forget to put some rocks or isolate it so that your dog won’t hurt himself trying to explore it.

• Reinforced Ground Fencing

It’s a premade bottom fence usually made out of galvanized steel. It’s ideal for covering any gaps your fence has near the bottom. Reinforced ground fencing is designed with upright rods which are equally spaced to make your dog unable to squeeze it through. Also, your dog won’t be able to take it down as it’s reinforced on both of your fence sides. If you are willing to buy this product, count how many pieces you will have to purchase to cover the whole perimeter of your fenced area.

• Use Rocks as a Barrier

One of the most straightforward solutions to stop your digger from going under the fence is using rocks as a barrier along your fence line. It works fine for small or medium-sized dogs as they cannot move physically. However, if you have a bigger dog breed, you might want to use bigger rocks to block your dog away from the fence. Some homeowners like the aesthetic look of the stones in their garden, so if you are one of them, use your imagination to make it functional.

• Concrete Footer

One of the most effective solutions for gravediggers is a concrete footer. It means no gaps, no possibility to scratch and dig. A dog will be unable to dig concrete flooring when you pour it along the fence line. In this case, you will also have to sink the bottom of the fence into the concrete and leave it to dry. Yes, it’s a big project, but it’s worth it.

Proper Landscaping

To keep your dog from digging under the fence, you can mix some anti-digging techniques. What you need to do is just to put some thought into landscaping and see what fits your yard best. For example, you can consider planting some bushes and using sturdy, ornamental grasses, and putting some rocks on the perimeter of your fence by making it more dig-proof. Therefore, it is a win-win situation as you can also add some aesthetic value to your property.

Use Deterrent Spray

Using a deterrent spray is to make your dog’s digging area unappealing. Dogs are sensitive to smells, so you can spray some black pepper, chili, or any spicy sauce around the perimeter of your fence. Once your dog smells it, it will probably make him sneeze, and he will not be tempted to get close anymore. To ensure your dog avoids the specific area, you will have to repeat this procedure every two weeks by spraying all the digging holes and areas. But this method may not work for some dogs, but since it doesn’t need much investment, you can always try it.

And if all Else Fails? Try Alternatives.

The size of the pet products market is getting bigger and broader every year. There are a lot of intelligent alternatives when it comes to your dog care, including digging prevention. Here are some of them you can try if you want to control your digger.

Electric Invisible fences

Building a physical fence for some of the home and dog owners sometimes is not a choice. It requires more maintenance and effort while find the best type to restrict your dog and be budget-friendly. On the contrary, invisible electric fences are a great alternative.

There are two types of invisible electric fences – wired in-ground and wireless. They come with unique dog collars that control your dog’s movement. Once you set up the fencing perimeter, your dog will be restricted in the area you want him to be. If he tries to cross the boundaries, he will get a signal and (if he doesn’t stop) a light electric stimulus. With proper training, a dog can be kept away from going out of your property and be prevented from digging in certain areas.

Exercise Playpens

Exercise playpens are great for keeping your dog occupied in the yard. When your pet is busy, there is less chance he will look for activities that might leave you with a minefield instead of a yawn. There are many varieties of playpens you can choose from. To provide more space and stability, you should select the outside pen made from heavier materials, has sturdy anchors, and is big enough. Choosing a suitable material is also essential when you think about a pen’s possibility to rot or rust.

What is more, you may also want to include a DIY dig pit inside the pen. Make your dog happy by letting him dig where he can. However, if you are looking for a temporary solution, you can find a lot of portable playpens. They are excellent if you are traveling with your pet. And it serves well when you want to keep your dog safely contained.

Airlock

Another smart fencing option is an airlock. It is a perfect choice to keep your dog away from your existing fence. It’s like a dual-gate system. By building a second fence line just a few meters away, you will create an airlock and safely contain your dog. Some of the airlocks can also be installed just outside your entrance point. So if you open a door, your dog gets in the restricted area usually designed with the self-closing gates.

Final Thoughts

Dogs love their owners, and digging doesn’t mean they want to irritate you or intentionally do harm. Maybe they need your attention? Whatever the cause is, prove your love to your pet by taking good care of his needs. Hopefully, my thorough guide on keeping your dog from digging can help you find the right solution.