Why do Golden Retrievers dig? My backyard is full of holes. Since bringing my Golden Retriever home, all he has done is dig, dig, dig! At the end of my wits, I did some research to find out why he keeps on digging.
So, why do Golden Retrievers dig a lot? Digging is an instinctive behavior for every dog breed. Many factors can cause digging. Stress, overheating, and an urge to hide things can all lead to Golden Retriever digging.
Finding out exactly why your Golden Retriever is putting holes into your yard is the only way to get them to stop. There are many reasons why your dog might be digging holes, and some of them may surprise you!
Why do Golden Retrievers Dig?
It doesn’t matter how much you love your dog, nobody likes to find their backyard filled with holes!
Dogs dig for all sorts of reasons. But there are some more common causes of digging that you should look out for. It’s important to understand the cause of your dog’s digging. Once you do, you can start to tackle the problem!
Here are a few ideas why your dog might be digging up your yard:
1. Instinct
Golden Retrievers are excellent at hunting. Years of breeding has given them the instinct to fetch small prey for their masters. Even without training, many Golden Retrievers will dig up the nests of small animals. If you have a rodent problem, your dog may be trying to help you with their digging!
2. Boredom
Bored dogs will find almost anything to occupy them. Your dog might have extra energy and be using digging to burn some of it off. Without enough stimulation, your Golden Retriever will take exercising into their own paws.
3. Attention
Many dogs spend the whole day alone in the backyard. Some of these dogs are desperate for attention, and will settle for an angry shout. If you need to leave your dog outside, try not to reward their digging with negative attention. Instead, praise their positive behaviors!
4. Anxiety
Some nervous dogs will dig as a compulsive behavior. Digging can be a relaxing way to channel anxious energy. If digging is a new behavior ask yourself if anything has changed in your routine. Have new neighbors moved in? Your dog may be trying to assert their space by digging at the boundaries of your house.
5. Overheating
In the hot months, your dog may start trying to dig a cool underground den. Golden Retrievers can get pretty warm in summer because of their thick coats. If you see your dog digging a hole the same length as their body, they might be telling you that they need to cool down.
6. Overfeeding
If your pup can’t finish their dinner, they might be digging a hole to hide their leftovers! Many dogs have this instinct. It developed so a dog would be able to save food for later. If you notice your dog burying their food, you are overfeeding them.
How to Stop Golden Retriever Digging
So you know why your dog is digging, but you have no idea how to stop them.
Don’t worry! There are many ways to get your pup to leave your backyard alone. The behavior won’t stop overnight, but with a bit of patience you will have a beautiful yard once more.
Start by keeping your dog company while they’re outside.
Occupy your dog with fun games like fetch or tug-of-war. Let your dog get used to being outside without feeling the compulsion to dig. Soon they will begin to see the yard as a fun place to play, instead of space for digging.
Try to have lots of appropriate toys for your dog in the yard. If they start to dig, tell them “no” in a firm voice and offer a toy instead. Soon your dog will learn that digging is not appreciated.
If you can’t supervise your dog, consider making a special space for them to dig:
- Place a sandbox or an area of soft dirt in part of the yard.
- Bury some of your dog’s favorite toys in the sand or earth.
- Introduce the digging area to your dog and reward them when they use it.
- If they dig outside the area, tell them “no” and bring them to the digging area.
- Be consistent and keep repeating this pattern until they learn.
If your dog is still having problems with digging, try making the yard less easy to dig in. Put rocks on the ground, or even use chicken wire to prevent your dog from digging.
Don’t punish your dog for digging holes. Research shows that negative reinforcement will not stop your dog from misbehaving.
Instead, try to catch your dog before they start an unwanted behavior. You can then redirect their destructive urges into a more positive outlet.
How to Keep Your Golden Retriever Busy (so She Doesn’t Dig)
Many dogs do not get enough stimulation during the day. If your Golden Retriever is not active and engaged, they may decide to make their own fun. Unfortunately digging holes is the favourite pastime of many bored Goldies.
Luckily there are all sorts of things you can do to keep your dog busy!
Adult Golden Retrievers need at least an hour of vigorous exercise every day. Walks and games are great ways to get this time in, but there are also other ways to keep your pup active.
If your Golden Retriever loves digging and sniffing in the dirt, why not teach them nosework?
Nosework games are simple, and let your dog use one of their most powerful senses. At the core, these games are all about teaching your dog to track smells. They will work your dog’s brain and use up all that hole-digging energy.
You can introduce your dog to these games at home with a few easy steps:
- Teach your dog the command “find it” by holding out both fists with a treat in only one hand.
- Practice until your dog is able to find the treat on command.
- Hide strong smelling treats around the house. Make sure some are easy to find and some are harder.
- Tell your dog to “find it” and encourage them as they search.
- Give them lots of praise as they sniff out the treats!
You can ramp up the difficulty as your dog gets better at using their nose. Consistent practice will help to lower your dog’s anxiety and get rid of their excess energy.
Try to give your dog fun tasks and stimulation every day. They will be happier and less likely to take out their stress by digging in the yard.
Related Questions
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