A dog who loves to dig can destroy your yard pretty quickly. With warmer weather along the way and an improvement in the yard on the spring to-do list, here’s information on how to fix these holes (as well as some ideas on how to stop your dog from digging in the first place).
How to fill in holes your dog is digging
The first thing you need to know is that you shouldn’t just push the excavated dirt back into the hole. You probably wouldn’t be able to do this anyway because dogs that dig usually make a big mess by stepping dirt all over the place.
Instead, you’ll need to bring in topsoil and, if you have grass, seeds and a patch of lawn. Family craftsman suggests these steps to repair holes dug by dogs:
- Fill the hole with topsoil and water, adding just enough soil to be level with the soil.
- Add seeds and water according to the directions on the bag.
- Fill the soil underground as needed, with the gap equal to the thickness of your patch of lawn.
- Roll the turf over the hole and trim the edges to fit.
- Remove the sward and shovel out the hole as necessary so that the sward is flush with the surrounding soil.
- Put the lawn in and water it daily until it takes root.
Here’s how to get your dog to stop digging
Of course, you will do this endlessly if you don’t address the reason your dog is digging holes in the first place. Dogs can dig up your yard for a number of reasons:
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- You are bored and need entertainment or a job.
- They were bred to dig.
- They look for prey, like digging animals or pests.
- They’re hot (or cold).
- They are trying to flee for or away from something.
- They are looking for attention.
It may be difficult to find the root of the problem at first, but it is there certain patterns and behaviors this can help you narrow it down. For example, your dog may be preying if it digs primarily in one spot, around tree roots, or in a path pattern. As they lay down in their holes, they may seek shelter from the heat. Dogs left alone for long periods of time may be more likely to dig for entertainment or attention.
How you stop digging depends on the underlying cause. In general, though, you should look for what your dog may need first, such as: B. a toy, a shadow or water. Frequent walks, minimizing unsupervised time, and your dog’s intervention in tricks or commands can also help. Punishing your dog is generally not the case. And when you spot pests, avoid toxic products that your dog may ingest too.
The internet is mixed on the strategy of Fill holes with feces to keep your dog from digging in the same place again. Most dogs won’t be looking for their own poop, but some could.
If digging continues, you may be able to exercise your dog dig in a specific area– A pit filled with earth or sand and your dog’s toy. Reward them for using their burial pit in place of other parts of your yard.
