Is your dog destroying your lawn? Dogs are naturally diggers, be it to hide a bone, chase a mole or just pure fun. How do you balance your dog’s natural instinct to dig and safeguard your blooms at the same time?

Once again, this may be a sign that your dog is bored, although some breed like terriers are more likely to dig. Digging is a great way for your dog to burn some energy and having a job to do digging at a molehill. Also, your dog may dig to escape the confining walls. This may be a case of separation anxiety as he thinks you are somewhere beyond the wall when you go off to work.

Some people keep their dogs inside the house but this is also an invitation for the dogs to dig your expensive carpets since that is the closest thing there is. Providing a plush blanket for your dog will confine their digging behaviour inside his own kennel. Make sure you rub some of your scents on the blanket to help with the separation anxiety.

To curb digging, you have to make it unpleasant to dig. You may want to start by sabotaging his digging tools - and that is his nails. Having short nails makes digging hard and less fun. This will cause him to divert his attention to other things that you have set up for him while you were away, such as toys and little treasure hunting trail that lead to small snacks.

If you spend a little time planting sharp objects in your lawn, your dog will soon find that it’s not the best place to dig. Some of the materials you can plant are chicken wires and thorny plants. Do not use harmful materials like glass shard that may injure your pet, instead of irritating them.

A win-win situation is to divide your lawn with a fence and therefore creating a corner for digging purpose. Plant some bones at the authorized areas and place some toys there so he’ll know that the area is meant for him. This is great when you have no time to bring him out for walks and he’ll happily get his exercise by himself having a great time discovering hidden loots.

This doesn’t mean that you don’t have to give him proper exercises. Give your dog plenty of exercise. An hour a day is good enough. An adequately exercised dog will be less prone to divert his extra energy on destroying your lawn.