As much as you might love your dog, some behaviors, like endlessly digging craters in the lawn, can get on your nerves. If you follow a strict lawn maintenance routine, you should try to prevent your furry friend from ruining your efforts. Use the following tips to help you teach your pet to respect your beautiful yard.

How to Stop Canine Digging Habits

1. Spend More Playtime With Them

If your dog burns off excess energy by digging pits in the yard, they might not be getting enough exercise. Try getting more involved in their playtime.

Play a game of fetch with a frisbee or a ball, or take them for a long hike to burn off the playfulness. You’ll both benefit from the fresh air and activity, while your lawn will see less destruction.

2. Add Digging Deterrents

Try burying a deterrent like pea gravel, flat stones, or plastic chicken wire under the soil. These materials will make it harder for your dog to excavate holes.

If their efforts see no progress, they might give up the habit entirely. Check on their common digging spots during your lawn maintenance routine to see if the deterrent is effective.

3. Practice Pest Control

Dogs have a natural hunting instinct. If they dig holes over a wide area, they might be trying to find pests like rats, squirrels, gophers, or moles. These animals spend their time hiding and burrowing underground to stay out of sight, and your pet might try to capture these unseen visitors.

Look for entry holes and tunnels under the grass, and feel for soft spots to determine if you have critters living in the yard. A trusted exterminator can decide on a course of action to get rid of them and relieve your dog of the obligation to do it themselves.

 

If your dog has dug up the lawn, count on Metro Sod & Seeding in Lincoln, NE, to repair the damage. With nearly 30 years of experience, this lawn maintenance and gardening company can handle any job, no matter the size. Whether you need a lawn renovation or sprinkler services, their team of experts has received specialized training to handle the project. Call (402) 730-4421 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.