Why do German Shepherds dig? I went to visit my mother recently, and when I pulled into her drive she ran out and frantically waved me down, indicating for me to stop the car. She walked up, and pointed to a huge black hole and said, “be careful, the dog dug a hole and you could get your tire stuck”. My mother has a one year old German Shepherd, and she had mentioned that he likes to dig. But really, a hole big enough to sink a tire into? I parked the car, walked over, and sure enough, this whole was like two and a half feet deep. What the heck?! What possessed this dog to open such a huge hole?
So, why do German Shepherds dig? The AKC states that dogs who dig do so because they have a very strong primal instinct to do so. This instinct can be from hunting behavior (think Terriers, that look for prey underground) or can be from denning behavior (basically animals looking to dig out a nice cool, secure shelter underground). This instinct is so strong, the dog just can’t help itself, and for the unfortunate owner, they have to constantly fill in holes and repair their gardening.
It turns out that my mom’s German Shepherd had opened itself up a den where it stored its toys and bones. I was really surprised by this, so I decided to do some research online to understand this instinct a little better. And what German Shepherd owners can do about it. What I found was fascinating.
Are German Shepherds Diggers?
Yes. German Shepherds (GSDs) are generally known to be diggers and there are a lot of reasons why GSDs dig.
Some experts credit the dog’s instinct to cool itself as motivation to open nice sized holes. A GSD has a lot of thick fur, and if left outside on hot days may be more likely to dig a “cooling pit”.
Other experts insist that German Shepherds dig because they are bored.
GSDs are a highly intelligent, high-energy breed and need to be kept busy and entertained and well-exercised. If your dog is left for long periods to entertain itself outside, it is likely to entertain itself by digging a hole.
Canine behavior experts state that digging is actually a very happy and even therapeutic exercise for a dog.
They do it because they like to – because it’s fun and because they can. If a dog suffers from separation anxiety or is home alone a lot, this digging behavior helps them feel good about life and enjoy their day.
The general consensus is that German Shepherd digging is essentially instinctual. This is especially obvious when you notice your dog hiding food and toys. This behavior was essential to survival, way back when.
Think about it: they store their food and then come back to eat it when they are hungry.
Most GSD owners can relate to the “digging problem” and there is a world of advice out there on how to confront it.
Don’t Leave Your German Shepherd Unsupervised
Many GSD owners swear that the best way to avoid digging behavior is to never leave your young GSD unsupervised in your yard.
It can be tempting to just let the dog out on their own, shut the door and forget about them for an hour or two – they need the exercise and fresh air, right?
Yes, but no.
Remember, your dog is still learning and growing for the first few years of its life and training is a constant process. Digging can be a very hard instinct to train them out of and requires constant vigilance on your part to be successful.
Being outside with your dog does not require constant interaction with them. You can do yard work, have a cup of tea on the porch, read the paper, or whatever strikes your fancy. Just keep your eye on your dog and make sure to respond immediately with a firm “no” to the first signs of them opening up a hole. It is also a good idea to follow up the “no” with sending them inside or to another part of the yard.
Be careful though, some owners unintentionally train their dogs to dig by unintentionally rewarding them! If you see your dog digging, and you go and get them a toy or a treat to distract them, you are actually teaching them to get your attention through digging.
It is best to reward your dog when you see them doing the right thing:
- If they are playing with a toy, go over for a spontaneous game of tug of war.
- Toss him some of his favorite dog food.
- Or if you just see them lying in the sun licking their paws, give them a treat and some vigorous affection.
Through constant supervision when they are young, and correcting the behavior every time you see it, you can do a lot to minimize digging by never letting it become a habit. GSDs require a lot of attention in the first couple of years of their life to train them for the right behaviors!
If you have no other option than to leave your dog unattended during the day, consider constructing a special area of the yard where he can be confined with room to roam. This might be a closed-in kennel space or a dog run that keeps him isolated to one specific area, containing the damage that he can do when you are not looking.
Give Them A Good Workout
GSDs are incredibly high-energy dogs. It is really important that you set aside a minimum of an hour and a half to two hours a day to make sure your dog gets enough exercise.
It is highly recommended that you exercise your dog in the morning and again in the afternoon. Think about it:
If they have a great workout in the morning, they will be more relaxed and calm during the day. This is especially helpful if you have to leave your dog alone for long periods.
Set aside at least 30 – 45 minutes in the morning to play fetch or go for a nice walk. Swimming is amazing exercise for German Shepherds.
Remember:
A well exercised dog is a well-behaved dog. Setting aside time in the morning to attend to your GSDs needs can save you a lot of effort filling in holes later.
How to Stop German Shepherd Digging
If you’ve come to realize that your dog is an unrepentant digger – what can you do to limit the damage?
Lucky for you, there are a lot of other GSD owners out there who have some really great advice.
Here are some of the best tips that I was able to find, that might work for you.
1. Set Up a “Digging Pit”
This basically means turning over a portion of your yard to your GSD and teaching him to dig exclusively in that spot. Here’s how:
- Set up a visual boundary, like rocks or stepping stones around the perimeter of the area that he will be allowed to dig in.
- Turn over the topsoil and throw your dog’s favorite toys in the area, partially burying one or two so they get the idea.
- When you see your dog digging, redirect him to that area and when you catch him digging there reward him with a special snack and lots of praise.
2. Chicken Wire or Netting
This sounds odd, and is certainly not cheap, but is supposedly quite effective.
Install chicken wire or mesh netting under your lawn or around areas that your dog likes to dig in. This requires a fair amount of work (especially if you want to do it around an entire lawn) and works best for smaller spaces.
Basically, the wire is a subsurface deterrent that your dog just can’t get under.
3. Check for Invaders
Do an inspection of your yard to see if there are rodents or other burrowing animals calling your yard home. This might be an underlying cause for your GSDs constant digging.
If you have unwanted critters, look into humane treatment options to get rid of the unwanted company.
Never use poisons that may unintentionally harm your pet!
4. Make a Cool Down Zone
If your GSD is digging because it is looking to beat the heat, make them a cool down zone.
This area should have shade and would ideally have bare earth (because it is cooling and your GSD will naturally scratch out a bed) and maybe even a kiddie pool.
You might find, especially if you live in a particularly warm climate, that this solves your problem!
Hopefully, with these tips, you can find a way to live with your dog’s natural instinct and not have to sacrifice your lawn or landscaping.
A Word About Fences
One of the most commonly asked questions is whether you need to fence your yard if you have a GSD. Maybe you ask if the fence is really necessary because your dog insists on digging under it?
It’s generally considered a good idea to have a fence if you have a yard and a dog.
This will keep them safe and under your control and supervision. It also is a clear boundary for them to know exactly where their territory starts and stops.
So what if your GSD likes to dig, and his favorite place is along the fence line?
Is your dog an escape artist? If so, it is all the more important for you to reinforce your fence to keep your dog contained.
If you have a small yard, consider putting up a fence that is at least six feet tall and that is sunken into the ground at least two feet.
A less expensive alternative would be to dig a two-foot deep trench around the perimeter of the fence and to run chicken wire from the bottom of the fence to the bottom of the trench, then filling the trench back in with good-sized rocks and dirt.
This should discourage your GSD from digging the fence line.
If you have a larger yard and a fence would be too prohibitive to install, you may want to consider installing an electric invisible fencing system. These fences have their pros and cons but are widely recognized to be a great option for dogs that like to dig along barriers. If you eliminate the fence, he can’t dig under it, right?
Related Questions
GSDs are among the most intelligent dogs you will find. They can learn a new command in less than five repetitions! But there is a huge difference between training your GSD puppy and having a well-trained GSD. Training is a constant process. Your dog can learn the basics within a few months with some dedicated effort. They can take a while longer to learn some more advanced skills that require them to outgrow their puppy impulsiveness or overcome their stubborn tendencies. To keep your dog’s intelligence stimulated and mind active, you should constantly be teaching them new tricks and work on refining their training. Some owners say that a GSDs training is never done!
