Why Do Huskies Dig?
If you decide to take a closer look at the paws of your husky, you will notice that they are perfectly shaped like digging tools. Naturally, all huskies dig so much to try and hide something or to satisfy their natural excavating instincts.
The other reason that causes a husky to dig holes is that he is bored. He will therefore decide to use his energy to dig holes as it keeps him occupied. Your husky could also be digging holes to seek shelter from the weather.
Since everything about Husky paws clearly shows that they are made to dig, you need to eliminate the reason for your dog to dig. This way, you will be able to make sure that he doesn’t completely dig up and destroy your whole yard.
Let us have a deeper look at why Huskies dig and some of the ways to mitigate the behavior.
Reasons Why Huskies Dig:
Boredom
The main reason why huskies dig is boredom. All dogs are naturally curious and Huskies are no exception. They, therefore, need to be mentally stimulated otherwise they will get bored easily and think of starting to dig up holes to alleviate that boredom.
Generally, a Husky who tries to escape and run away shows that he is bored or lacks exercise. A tired husky is less likely to have the energy to be bored and destructive. Therefore, if you don’t want your yard to resemble a moonscape, introduce him to something interesting that will keep him entertained and occupied.
You should try and introduce chew toys or something/someone else to play with. That way, you will be able to make sure that your Husky gets plenty of vigorous daily exercise and prevent him from getting himself occupied at the expense of your backyard.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise exacerbates destructive behavior. Many people get Husky thinking that they will just put them to live in the back yard, so they don’t have to deal with issues related to toileting, chewing and destruction, and dog hair in the house.
You should know that keeping Huskies in a confined place hardly works. Huskies are well known to have a lot of energy, a trait that makes them want to dig up holes to relieve that energy. This is a trait that stems back to when they were first bred for pulling sleds.
If your husky fails to get enough exercise as required, he will become relentless and find a way to use up all that pent-up energy. With some huskies, digging holes is their perfect way of solving this problem. The act of digging helps provide an outlet for the built-up energy.
Prey Drive
Naturally, Huskies instinctively love to prey on small birds, animals, and insects as well. You will find that your Husky is digging the ground trying to unearth these little creatures.
If you find that your Husky had dug a hole under the fence, that’s a sign of a prey drive in action. If this is the case with your dog, you are supposed to eliminate the pests in the yard so they stop digging for them. For the Huskies that indulge their prey drive through digging, you should find a different method to satisfy that need.
Staying Warm or Cool
The other reason why Huskies dig is to help regulate their body temperature. Just like humans, huskies have their way of protecting themselves when temperatures are either too hot or too cold.
While most pet owners who have Huskies as pets dwell in more temperate areas, you will find some Huskies that like to dig to protect themselves from the harsh climatic conditions.
Such huskies will dig up holes in the snow, where they can curl up and shield themselves from strong winds as they also stay warm. When the temperatures are high, huskies dig holes to provide shelter and keep themselves cooler.
Attempting to Escape the Yard
Another reason why Huskies dig holes especially under the fence is when they are trying to escape from the yard. Huskies dig holes to escape from their backyard because they are bored, not getting enough exercise and mental stimulation.
No husky will be content to be sequestered in a backyard behind a fence. If you hardly take your husky on walks where he gets the opportunity to meet and sniff other dogs, high chances are that he will escape his confinement to find his Husky adventure. That’s why the local rescues always have a surplus of stray huskies who have run away from their homes.
Digging to Satisfy their Natural Digging Behavior
You will also find out that your husky digs holes in your backyard because that’s how they are naturally made. If you have such a husky, there is nothing much you can do to prevent him from digging, however, you may as well provide them with an appropriate place for them to dig.
By doing this, you will have saved your backyard from looking like a lunar landscape full of craters. To provide the husky with a specific place to dig holes, build a 3-foot by 6-foot sandbox in a shady area of the yard. Fill in the box with enough sand or dirt so that the husky can dig a large and deep hole.
To make it more interesting for the husky, you can even bury simple treasures for them to find in that sandbox. You also have to be vigilant and train them to dig in the approved place if you spot them digging in a non-approved place.
How to Prevent Huskies from Digging under the Fence
Digging under the fence is a common problem with most huskies and it can be frustrating especially if you have just moved to a new place of residence. While there are many reasons why huskies dig under the fence, you can prevent him from digging under your backyard fence by:
- Blocking the base of the fence with large rocks or paver stones will discourage him from digging further.
- Introducing chicken wire a few inches under the ground surface. By doing this, when the husky tries to dig under the fence, they can only dig down a few inches before they encounter the chicken wire.
- Ensuring that the fence goes down into the ground. A fence that’s buried two feet down into the normal ground level is less prone to be dug under.
- Introducing a deterrent or obstacle that makes digging annoying enough that any husky will give up on what is on the other side of the fence.
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Tips to Stop Your Husky from Digging Holes All Over The Back Yard
Are you tired of finding holes all over your backyard? Here are the tips that should work to stop your husky from digging holes. However, it is good to note that these tips won’t work straight away, so your husky will need time to get used to the new restrictions.
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Bury Poop
Unless your dog likes to eat his poo, most dogs don’t like being near their feces. Bury some dog’s poop in areas that they are most likely to dig. Digging in his favorite spot will become less appealing when he encounters his poop. The downside of using this method to discourage huskies from digging is that the husky will probably abandon the hole and start digging a new one.
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Bury Large Rocks inside the Hole
You can also get large and heavy rocks then bury them inside the hole that your dog loves to dig. When the dog tries to dig in the hole, the rocks will impede the process. This prevents him from digging that hole but he may decide to start digging a new hole.
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Set up a Sprinkle Near the Hole
As soon as the dog comes to dig, turn on the sprinkler. This method will only work if your dog hates getting wet. Besides, playing in the sprinkler might as well work in distracting him from wanting to dig holes. The downside of this method is that you have to be home to watch your dog.
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Supervise and Divert their Attention
If you are in the yard with your dog, you should be able to keep them entertained. On the other hand, if you are busy and occupied, ensure that you are still in a position to supervise his actions. If the husky starts to dig, try and divert his attention with something like a treat toy. Try as much as possible to keep them focused on something and heap them with praise once they stay away from digging holes.
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FAQs about Why Huskies Dig Holes
Q: Do Huskies Ever Stop Digging Holes?
Any husky will continue to dig holes until you deal with the root cause of their digging. Once the root cause isn’t established and dealt with, they will continue to dig. Once the root cause is dealt with, they will stop digging.
Q: Why Do Huskies Dig Holes and Lay Inside Them?
In many cases, huskies dig holes and lay inside them as a way of shielding themselves from harsh weather conditions. If your husky is digging holes to lay in, you should make an effort and provide them with a shelter that they can go into and shield themselves from the harsh weather conditions.
Conclusion
Positive reinforcement is recognized as the most effective way to train a dog to stop digging holes. You should therefore not scold or punish your dog if you catch him in the act of digging holes in the backyard. Instead, try and divert his attention by keeping him busy with treats, toys, and attention. We hope our insight on why Huskies dig was helpful.