Why Do Dogs Dig Holes? What Your Dachshund Says

If any dog has a good excuse for digging, it is the Dachshund. The name comes from German words meaning "badger dog", and breeders developed it to work in the burrows of the badger. Still, a digging Dachshund is not always just following old habits. So why do dogs dig holes? There are several reasons, and each one tends to leave its own type of sign.

The primary reasons, according to the vets at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, are hunting, cooling off, simply enjoying it, boredom, burying things, escaping and anxiety.

The American Kennel Club explains that German foresters and hunters developed the breed to hunt badgers. The dogs needed short legs to fit into badger holes, and tight, compact feet to push soil behind them as they dug towards their quarry. Purina adds that the long body, short legs and sharp claws made them ideal diggers and underground hunters.

Moreover, that history matters at home. In an article from The Farmer's Dog, canine researcher Dr. Zachary Silver says training cannot fully overwrite hardwired instincts from an evolutionary point of view, and that for Dachshunds, digging is one such behaviour. Additionally, the same article notes that every dog is different, so not every Dachshund will love digging.

For example, UC Davis links each cause to a pattern.

For a Dachshund, the hunting pattern is worth watching closely. UC Davis says a dog digging after rodents may whine, bark, wag its tail and stay fixed on one spot.

On warm days. UC Davis says some dogs dig a hole to lie in, usually in or near shade, especially dogs that cope poorly with heat.

When you are away. Holes that appear when you leave the dog alone for long periods can point to boredom. UC Davis notes that bored dogs may also chew furniture or bark a lot.

When you are getting ready to leave. If digging comes with whining, pacing and wild excitement when you return, anxiety may be the cause. UC Davis advises seeing a vet for this.

For the hunter: Use pest control methods that are safe for dogs to deal with the rodents. UC Davis warns against pesticides and rat traps that could harm your dog, and suggests supervised outdoor time.

For the cooling digger: Provide shade, a dog house or kennel, a small pool and constant fresh water.

For the happy digger: This suits many Dachshunds. Build a sandbox or a set digging area with loose sand, bury toys or treats there, and reward your dog for digging in that spot. Fence off flower beds if needed.

For the bored dog: Add exercise, toys and enrichment. If your dog has a tendency to zoomies too, check out our guide on dog zoomies.

For the den maker: Sunset Veterinary Clinic notes some dogs dig to make a small hideaway where they feel safe.

If your dog buries treasure: Give treats and toys indoors, and away from other dogs if your dog guards them.

For the escape artist: Exercise and play more, and look for what draws your dog out. UC Davis suggests strengthening the fence base with cement or chicken wire for severe cases, and mentions that escaping can be seasonal in dogs that are not spayed or neutered.

For the worried dog: Work with your vet to find the cause. Our guide on separation anxiety in dogs explains early signs.

UC Davis is clear on two points:

Indeed, some habits are simply old instincts that stayed with dogs, like the way many dogs kick grass after peeing. Digging is one of them, and in a Dachshund it has built up over centuries.

So, why do dogs dig holes? To hunt, cool off, have fun, bury things, escape, or because they are bored or anxious. With a Dachshund, add a strong dose of badger-hunting history. Read where and when the holes appear, give your dog a place where it may dig, and talk to your vet if anxiety seems to be behind it.