| Lack of Exercise | | | | entertainment. Puzzle toys, like the Kong, with treats |
| A dog who has a lot of energy | | | | inside are especially fun and engaging for your dog. |
| stored up needs to release it somewhere, and | | | | Physical Needs |
| oftentimes the resulting behavior is digging in the yard. | | | | Your dog may also be digging |
| Dogs are very physical creatures who need exercise | | | | holes because he is uncomfortable outside. Dogs dig |
| to remain focused and healthy, and they will become | | | | holes to lie next to cooler earth in the heat, and to |
| destructive if left with too much pent up energy. A | | | | shelter themselves from the cold in winter. If your dog |
| simple daily walk and some fetch can calm most dogs, | | | | is digging holes to get out of the elements you need to |
| though high energy level dogs like Border Collies often | | | | provide him with a nice dog house for the cold |
| need more intense exercise and play. | | | | weather, and a shady place for hot weather. Also |
| Boredom | | | | consider a kiddy pool filled with water to keep your |
| Your dog is not only a physical | | | | dog cool in the summer. |
| creature; he also has quite a mind. Dogs are smart, | | | | Backyard digging is simply a sign |
| and if we don’t exercise their brains they become | | | | that something deeper is wrong with your dog. Stop |
| destructive. Play games with your dog regularly, and | | | | the source problem, and your yard will once again be |
| leave his toys in the backyard to provide acceptable | | | | green, lush…and flat! |