Chewing, digging, jumping
Why does my dog dig holes in the garden?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Digging is an old instinct, not a character flaw. Terriers and scent hounds were bred to dig after prey underground, so the urge sits closer to the surface for them than for other types. Most pet dogs dig because they are bored, full of unspent energy, chasing a scent, or trying to reach cooler soil on a warm day.
Where the instinct comes from
Many breeds were shaped over centuries to go after rabbits, rodents, or badgers hiding underground, so a paw that starts scratching at soil is often following a scent trail rather than misbehaving. A dog with none of that breeding history can still dig, just usually for a different reason.
The everyday triggers
An under exercised dog with 10 spare minutes and loose soil will often turn it into a project. Heat pushes dogs to dig down to cooler earth, especially in the afternoon, and the smell of a mole or worm just under the surface is enough to start a session that lasts twenty minutes.
Give the habit somewhere to go
A sandpit or a marked off digging patch, seeded with a few buried toys, redirects the behavior instead of fighting it. Praise and a treat the moment your dog digs there, and add a five minute sniff walk before you leave the garden unsupervised so the itch is already partly scratched.
Key takeaways
- Terriers and scent hounds carry a stronger digging instinct from their working history.
- Heat, boredom, and underground scents are the three most common daily triggers.
- A dedicated digging patch with buried toys channels the behavior instead of suppressing it.