Artificial grass looks great and can make owning a pet much easier. No more muddy yard problems, less mess, and more time to enjoy time with your dog.
But what about when your favorite pet decides that it's time to dig up that lovely-looking artificial lawn?
Let's take a look at why your dog might be digging and how to stop the habit.
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To put it simply, dogs usually dig for one of three reasons:
If Your Dog Is Bored
So what do you do if your dog is bored? Well, you need to find a way to keep them entertained.
Get your dog some chew toys, take them for regular walks, play with your pet. These are all good ways to get your dog's mind off the digging, and onto other less destructive things to do!
There are some more great ideas for keeping your dog from getting bored here.
If Your Dog Is Digging on Instinct
Some breeds such as huskies, chow chows, short-legged terriers, and dachshunds have the instinct to dig.
You need to accept that it is in these dog's nature to dig. So providing them with an alternative place to dig is a good solution here.
Consider installing a sandbox, or show them a part of the garden where they are allowed to dig, and won't get in trouble for it.
If Your Dog Is Digging To Keep Cool
If you notice that your dog is only digging after vigorous exercise or on a hot day, then it is likely that your pet is doing it to keep cool.
Dogs are smart, they know that digging even a few inches down will expose some nice cool soil to lay in and cool down.
The obvious fix for this is to provide alternative ways for your dogs to cool down. Make sure your yard has lots of shady spots to lay in or provide a pool of water large enough for them to stand in. You can also provide a cooling breeze with a fan or a mister.
There are some other great ideas in this post.
How To Discourage Your Dog From Digging
When you have given your dog the means to satisfy their digging needs, you can look at how to discourage them from digging and get them into new habits.
If you notice your dog digging in the artificial turf, discipline your dog using your standard method and introduce them to their new toys, digging spot, or cooling off area.
If your dog still insists that the lovely artificial lawn is the best spot to dig, then you can try using citrus peels, cayenne, or vinegar to deter them.