Does your dog have a penchant for digging? Fido has many lovable traits, but his gardening habits don’t always win many points with his human friends. There are things you can do to stop your pooch from digging up your yard, but before you can address your canine buddy’s bad habit, you’ll need to figure out what’s causing it. Here, a Frisco, TX vet lists some common reasons for digging in dogs.

Hunting

Does your pooch tend to dig in fairly straight lines? If so, Fido may be trying to get to a critter that is tunneling under your yard. (Note: this is particularly common in certain breeds, such as terriers.) Use non-toxic pest control methods to banish your uninvited guests.

Boredom

Take a look around your yard. Does Fido have any toys to amuse himself with outdoors? If not, your four-legged buddy might be bored. Offer your pet some durable playthings to entertain himself with.

Buried Treasure

In the wild, dogs often bury their food to save it for later. If Fido is making random holes, he may be looking for goodies. Build your pooch a sandbox to play in, and put some fun toys in it for your four-legged pirate to dig up.

Escape

Another reason our canine pals sometimes dig is to try to escape. This is much more prevalent in dogs that are intact, so if your pooch hasn’t been spayed or neutered yet, we recommend getting this done ASAP. There’s also a chance that Fido may just want to explore. Daily walks and occasional trips to parks will give your pup a change of scenery and the chance to sniff at different grass.

Comfort

Sometimes dogs dig to get relief from weather or parasites. Make sure that your furry friend is current on his vaccinations and parasite control products. Fido should also have plenty of water, shade, and shelter outdoors. Last but not least, don’t leave your pooch outside too long. Our canine companions are both happier and healthier living indoors.

Excess Energy

Is your dog a bouncing ball of fur? Make time to play with Fido, and take him for a good, long walk every day. This will help burn off his excess energy. Please contact us, your Frisco, TX animal clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are dedicated to providing excellent care!