Having your backyard destroyed by your Blue Heeler’s digging can be frustrating. The behavior can sometimes seem uncontrollable because of the frequent occurrence.
By understanding the reasons why they dig, you can implement the right method to train them to prevent the behavior.
So what are the reasons behind Blue Heeler digging?
Let’s look into the reasons why Blue Heeler digging occurs and what to do about it.
Here’s Why Blue Heeler digging happens
Blue Heeler digging happens due to various reasons including boredom, hunting instinct, anxiety relief, escape attempts, hiding of possessions, and attention-seeking. Digging is an instinctive habit common in all dogs, however, if not controlled it becomes a destructive behavioral problem.
Do Blue Heelers Like to dig?
Blue Heelers like to dig just like any other dog as a natural habit and also due to health issues such as anxiety or boredom.
Although digging is something that all dogs do, if left unchecked or not controlled, it can lead to the destruction around the home and also other behavioral issues.
Therefore it is important to identify the root cause of your Blue Heeler digging and implement the appropriate method to control it.
Common Reasons For Blue Heeler Digging
Blue Heelers dig due to different reasons but by understanding the specific reason why your dog digs, you can implement the appropriate method to address the behavior.
Below are the motivations for Blue Heeler digging:
Boredom
A Blue Heeler with nothing to do will find activities to keep them busy and entertain themselves. Destructive behavior such as digging is among these activities.
Blue Heelers need mental and physical stimulation to be healthy. Without these activities, they get bored and find outlets for their pent-up excess energy and need for stimulation.
See Also: Blue Heeler chewing everything? Here’s why
Hunting instinct
Blue Heelers were originally bred for hunting wild boars and naturally, they have a hunting instinct.
Although today they are more companion dogs than hunting dogs, the hunting instinct exists.
They may dig in the backyard in search of burrowing like rodents, which is a thrilling and exciting activity for them.
Anxiety relief
Blue Heelers experience anxiety which can be caused by different factors in their environment, the common causes being fear, separation, and old age.
Fear-based anxiety comes from different factors that trigger fear in a Blue Heeler. This includes environmental triggers such as loud noises, thunderstorms, a new home, surroundings, or people or animals.
Blue Heelers are highly susceptible to separation anxiety which is anxiety caused when they are alone and separated from their owners. This means they are not able to cope or comfort themselves when alone.
This leads to behavior changes such as pacing, excessive barking, defecation and urination in the house, and destructive behavior digging.
Older Blue Heelers also experience anxiety due to cognitive dysfunction which escalates confusion and also anxiety.
These common sources of anxiety lead to Blue Heeler digging for relief from anxiety.
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Escape attempts
Blue Heeler digging is also a way of tunneling through a barrier such as a fence in an attempt to reach something or another dog on the other side.
Blue Heelers in heat or unneutered male Blue Heelers also have this behavior, in search of a mate.
Hiding of possessions
All dogs love to hide their possessions in a place where they can retrieve them. They do it because it is in their nature as an instinct to guard or hoard their treasured items such as toys or food, a survival instinct, and also due to stress or boredom.
Burying their possessions is their ideal method of doing this. It is normal as a way of hiding their stuff which they can find later.
Attention-seeking
Blue Heelers are affectionate dogs that love and adore their owners. They thrive on human interaction and love spending time with their owners.
They can engage in behaviors that will drive your focus on them or any attention to them. Therefore Blue Heeler digging can be an attention-seeking tactic.
Related: Why is my Blue Heeler so clingy? 7 reasons and what to do
How To Stop Blue Heeler Digging
Exercise and provide toys
Exercise your Blue Heeler to engage them in activities that will reduce boredom and engagement in unwanted behavior such as digging.
Engage in activities that are suitable for your Blue Heeler’s age, avoiding overexertion so as not to cause bone and joint injuries.
Also, provide toys for your Blue Heeler to play with to keep them entertained and engaged.
Rotate their favorite toys to have different toys to play with so that they do not get bored with one type of toy which can lead to other undesired activities.
Create an area for digging
Create an area in your yard where your Blue Heeler can dig when they have the urge to do it. Train them to distinguish between their area and where they cannot dig, by use of command words.
Stress management
If stress is the underlying cause of Blue Heeler digging, minimize your Blue Heeler’s exposure to stress triggers and also remove them from these triggers.
This includes not exposing them to loud noises or strange people. Training can also help a Blue Heeler to deal with stress and anxiety.
Physical activities or exercises such as playing or walking also help to relieve stress. Anxiety-relieving medication is also an option from your veterinarian for stress management.
Prevent escape attempts
Prevent your Blue Heeler’s attempts to gain access to an area or escape by digging through barriers by burying rocks, bricks, or sticks along the edge of your fence.
The rocks need to be sturdy enough so that they cannot be moved when your dog attempts to dig the area.
You can also bury mesh wire underneath the soil along the fence. When your Blue Heeler tries to dig, they will feel the mesh wire on their nails which is uncomfortable.
This will make them stop digging and walk away.
Use digging deterrents
Deterrents discourage your Blue Heeler from digging. This includes refilling the dug holes with rocks, citrus fruit peels, or your dog’s stool.
Dogs usually return to the place where they usually dig and when your Blue Heeler returns to their spot, they will find the buried deterrents.
If your Blue Heeler smells stool in the area, they will walk away because some dogs do not like the smell of their stool.
The smell of citruses such as orange, lemon, or grapefruit is also not pleasant and they will also walk away when they smell it.
This will discourage your dog from digging again in that area.
Get rid of small burrowing animals
One way you can discourage Blue Heeler digging is by getting rid of burrowing animals in your yard. This will reduce triggering your dog’s hunting instinct and digging to get the animals.
Reach out to an expert to assist in the measures and methods of discouraging the animals from accessing your yard.
Also, fence off the area where the burrowing animals frequently appear.
Schedule quality time
Schedule time to spend with your Blue Heeler including time for play. Attention-seeking behavior from your Blue Heeler is a call for more time with you, as a people-oriented dog.
This will minimize destructive behavior including digging which is an attention-seeking behavior.
Do not punish them
Do not punish your Blue Heeler for digging. Punishment such as yelling or hitting only increases your dog’s anxiety which worsens the situation.
Your dog will still be driven to dig as a way to relieve the anxiety.
Remember to be patient and calm when you catch your Blue Heeler digging, try to identify what the root of the behavior is, and continuously implement the corrective approaches to train your dog.
Seek professional training
Seek assistance from an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer to help in training your Blue Heeler to control the digging habit.
Professional training provides individual solutions and guidance based on your dog’s drive to dig.
Conclusion
Blue Heeler digging is an instinct as well as caused by other factors that drive your dog to dig. It is a destructive behavior that needs to be controlled.
It is important to identify the specific reason for Blue Heeler digging to put in place the right approach to control it.
With the help of a trainer and advice from a veterinarian, you can minimize the behavior through training and by implementing preventive measures.