At a glance
- Australian Shepherds dig primarily due to high energy levels, intelligence, and natural herding instincts that need proper outlets
- Providing vigorous daily exercise and mental stimulation addresses the root cause of most digging behaviour
- Creating a designated digging zone while redirecting unwanted digging helps establish clear boundaries
- Consistent supervision and positive redirection are more effective than punishment-based methods
Why your Australian Shepherd can't stop digging
You might notice your Australian Shepherd targeting the same spots in your garden repeatedly, creating increasingly deeper holes despite your best efforts to discourage them. This persistent digging isn't defiance, it's actually your dog responding to deeply ingrained instincts and unmet needs.
These dogs were originally developed as working herders, bred for high energy and problem-solving intelligence. When that mental and physical drive doesn't have an appropriate outlet, digging becomes an attractive alternative. Your dog might be trying to burn excess energy, investigate interesting scents, or simply entertain themselves when boredom strikes.
Sometimes the motivation is more immediate. In hot weather, dogs naturally dig to create cool spots to lie down. If your yard has rodents or interesting underground scents, your Australian Shepherd's retained prey drive might kick in, compelling them to investigate further. Stress and anxiety can also manifest as digging, particularly if your dog experiences separation anxiety or frustration from being understimulated.
Meeting their exercise and mental stimulation needs
The most effective approach to reducing digging starts with addressing your dog's fundamental needs for activity and mental engagement. Australian Shepherds require extensive daily exercise, far beyond a simple walk around the block.
Vigorous activities like long runs, agility training, or herding exercises help burn the excess energy that often fuels digging behaviour. Many owners find that increasing their dog's exercise routine dramatically reduces unwanted digging within just a few weeks.
Mental stimulation proves equally important. Puzzle toys, scent games, and regular training sessions challenge your dog's intelligence and provide the mental workout they crave. These dogs thrive when given purposeful tasks, so incorporating obedience training or teaching new tricks can redirect their focus away from destructive digging.
Research shows that dogs receiving both adequate physical exercise and mental enrichment show significantly less destructive behaviour overall. The key is consistency, providing these outlets daily rather than sporadically.
Creating boundaries with designated digging areas
Rather than trying to eliminate digging entirely, many successful owners redirect this natural behaviour to an acceptable location. Setting up a specific digging zone in your yard acknowledges your dog's instincts while protecting the rest of your garden.
Choose a corner of your yard and make it appealing by burying toys, treats, or interesting scents. When you catch your dog digging elsewhere, calmly redirect them to this designated area and reward them enthusiastically when they dig there instead.
This approach works because it provides a clear, consistent rule your dog can understand. Instead of learning "never dig," which conflicts with natural instincts, they learn "dig here, not there." Most dogs grasp this distinction within a few weeks of consistent redirection.
Supervision and positive redirection techniques
Vigilant supervision during the initial training period makes the difference between success and continued frustration. You need to catch digging early, before it becomes a deeply ingrained habit.
When you spot digging beginning, use a firm but calm "no" command and immediately redirect your dog to an approved activity. This might be their designated digging area, a favourite toy, or a quick training session. The timing matters, intervene within seconds rather than minutes for maximum effectiveness.
Avoid inadvertently rewarding digging with attention. Sometimes dogs dig near doors or windows specifically to get their owner's reaction. If this seems to be happening, ignore the behaviour completely while still addressing any damage later.
Teaching basic impulse control commands like sit-stay helps improve your dog's overall self-control, making them more responsive to redirection when digging urges strike.
Addressing environmental triggers
Sometimes persistent digging has specific environmental causes that need direct attention. If rodents or other small animals frequent your yard, your dog's digging might be a hunting response that won't stop until the underlying trigger is removed.
Pest control measures can eliminate these attractants, though you'll still need to retrain your dog since the digging habit may persist even after the original motivation disappears.
For dogs who dig to stay cool, providing adequate shade and fresh water often reduces this behaviour significantly. Some owners install sprinkler systems or provide kiddie pools as alternative cooling methods.
If your dog digs along fence lines, they might be trying to escape or investigate what's on the other side. Burying barriers underground or reinforcing fence bottoms addresses the immediate problem, though you'll still want to work on the underlying motivation through training and exercise.
Tools and products that help
While training forms the foundation of success, certain products can support your efforts. Commercial digging deterrent sprays or mats work for some dogs, though they should complement rather than replace proper training and exercise.
Enrichment toys prove particularly valuable for this intelligent breed. Kong toys, Nina Ottosson puzzle feeders, and snuffle mats provide mental stimulation that can reduce boredom-driven digging. These typically cost between $10 to $50 and offer excellent value for the mental exercise they provide.
Exercise equipment like agility kits or flirt poles help channel your dog's energy constructively. Many owners find these tools make their daily exercise routine more engaging for both dog and owner.
When to seek professional help
Sometimes digging indicates deeper anxiety or compulsive behaviour issues that require professional intervention. If your dog's digging seems frantic, occurs alongside other anxiety symptoms, or doesn't respond to consistent training efforts, consulting a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviourist makes sense.
Professional training sessions typically cost between $50 to $150 per hour depending on your location, but can provide tailored behaviour modification plans that address your specific situation.
You should also consult your veterinarian if digging is accompanied by skin irritation, excessive panting, or other physical symptoms that might indicate an underlying health issue.
With consistent effort addressing both the physical and mental needs of your dog, most owners see improvement within weeks, though complete behaviour change often takes several months. The key is understanding that these intelligent, energetic dogs need appropriate outlets for their natural drives, and digging often stops when those needs are properly met.
