The good news is we have a new puppy. The bad news is he’s a digger. Which brings me to address the question, “How do you train your pup from digging in the garden?”

A New Family Member

Dogs in the Garden

After losing our beloved Luna in the early summer, it took months for us to be ready for a new canine in the family. Although Luna, who was a purebred black lab, was an absolute sweetheart, mixed breeds have always held my heart. We found Zeke through a regional rescue from the Fort Belknap Reservation because I watched their good work for more than a year. He stood out from the group of pups and fell asleep in the back seat for our two hour drive home. He was perfect… until he showed me how much he liked to dig.

Zeke delighted in the light and fluffy raised bed with the strawberries as his first favorite place to play. I scolded him, but it didn’t help that I was laughing because of the cute look he gave me. (Puppies have that power!)

When a pup is digging, it’s important to give a command to stop the activity while he or she is in the act. It does no good to correct them later. Also, do not bring the dog back to the hole and punish them. They simply cannot make the connection.

Figure Out Why and Train Your Pup From Digging

Why Does My Dog Dig?

It’s also important to know why the pup is tearing up the ground. Zeke appears to dig just for fun. It’s fabulous to watch that dirt fly. But there are other reasons dogs dig, including trying to escape (if they’re digging close to a fence), clicking into a hunting mode for some breeds, or creating a comfortable space.

The reality is most of the reasons can’t easily be deterred unless you’re present constantly. Repellents don’t typically work for most of these reason, and some can be harmful. A quick, and hopefully temporary, measure is placing chicken wire over the digging areas. Years ago, we had neighbors’ dogs who liked digging at the fence line, so we placed large rocks along the perimeter to dissuade them from coming onto this side. (Truthfully, I’d rather have a gate in the fence so they can visit, but that’s another topic all together.)

What Else Can You Do to Train Your Pup

One recommendation I had not considered is to create a digging zone. Dogs are smart enough to figure out where  certain behaviors are allowed. Consider house training. Most dogs know they go potty outside and not on the living room floor. If you catch your dog digging, take them to an area where they’re permitted to continue the activity. Make this space more appealing by burying a toy or two and playing in there with them.

With any behavior, or misbehavior, activity and mental stimulation is the answer. Play with your pup, and better yet, put them to work. Training is basically the equalivant to organic matter in the garden. It’s good for everything. Go for walks and work on basic tricks, or better yet, go crazy like me and register your pup (the AKC now allows mixed breeds) and enter performance trials. A tired puppy is a good puppy, plus it’s a lot of fun for both of you.

Plant for Your Dog

Another consideration is to plant with your dog in mind. It didn’t take long for Zeke to figure out that the fall-bearing raspberries were delicious, and I certainly don’t mind him eating a few. He also discovered tomatoes in the greenhouse, which surprised me. I can’t say I’ve had another dog with a penchant for them.

Plant a few selections, such a green beans and parsley, that are good for your pup either as a snack in the garden or prepared in their daily summer meals. In small amounts, these are good for them, too.

Puppies are a blast, but they have to learn to fit into their environment. It’s up to us to train them gently and firmly to help them be a happy member of our family.