“We just saw a planned crime dawg.” That’s how another TikTok user captioned Rosie’s now-viral digging extravaganza a multi-day dig that culminated in her happily plopping her dog brother, Pancho, into a precisely sized hole. The video has gained more than 6.1 million views, and that’s proof that when dogs dig, the internet digs it too.
But beneath the giggles and sibling mischief is an intriguing fact digging isn’t so strange after all. It’s a deeply rooted behavior with roots in dog history, survival drives, and even emotional needs. From a terrier burrowing for prey to a husky building a cool bed for hot summer days, there’s always a “why” behind the dirty paws.
Here’s a closer look at the most prevalent and sometimes surprising motivations for dogs to dig, along with what pet parents can do to make it fun, safe, and perhaps even garden-friendly.
1. Hunting Instincts Run Deep
For certain dogs, digging isn’t so much about naughtiness as about the thrill of the hunt. Breeds such as terriers and dachshunds were selectively bred to chase prey underground, and their resolve is virtually unbreakable. If a yard harbors moles, voles, or mice, that prey drive can activate in an instant. Based on the information provided by Dr. Kristyn Echterling-Savage, founder of Beyond The Dog, these dogs may have a particularly strong desire to dig when they sense movement or scent under the ground.
This is instinctual behavior dogs’ sharp ears and noses can pick up on critters people never see. Attempting to break it without fixing the problem (such as disposing of the pests) tends to frustrate dog and owner alike.
2. Cooling Off in Canine Style
During hot days, certain dogs dig shallow holes to sleep in cooler soil. Such behavior is common among northern breeds such as Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, but any dog may dig for relief when it gets hot. Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, clarifies that digging a hole to sleep in is an instinctive means by which dogs respond to changes in the environment.
The more profound the hole, the colder the ground nature’s form of air conditioning. Offering shaded areas, cooling pads, or indoor rest periods can aid in mitigating this kind of digging without withholding your dog relief from the heat.
3. Burying Treasures for Later
Dogs are natural pack rats. Their ancestors in the wild engaged in “scatter hoarding,” hiding food in various locations to keep it from scavengers and to store it for lean times. Modern pets bury bones, toys, or chews for safety though they never go back for them.
Nicole Kohanski, CDBC, compares caching to “stashing something in a pantry, closet, or safe for humans.” Caching can become more pronounced in households with multiple pets, as competition fuels an increased need to cache valuables. Resource guarding growling or snapping at the approach of another toward a hidden item is usually not serious, but needs professional intervention.
4. Escaping for Adventure (or Love)
Other dogs dig by purpose to break through fences and see what lies outside the yard. This may be motivated by boredom, separation anxiety, or, if the dog is an intact male, the smell of a female in heat. For escape artists, digging is just the best way out.
If this is familiar, it’s essential to find out the reason behind it. Stimulation through exercise, mental challenge, and social interaction can decrease the urge, and escape routes being physically blocked by buried chicken wire can prevent escape.
5. Stress Relief and Pure Entertainment
For most dogs, digging is the ultimate boredom relief. It’s physically active, mentally challenging, and, honestly, just plain enjoyable. Dr. Tehreem Puri points out that it can also be an emotional release of anxiety for dogs who spend a lot of time alone.
Offering enrichment puzzle toys, training games, or secure digging areas can redirect that energy in a positive way. Without those outlets, a dog’s “fun” can turn quickly into a landscaping disaster.
6. Denning and Nesting Instincts
Pregnant females will dig as part of denning instinct, and they will create an enclosed, safe space for their upcoming pups. Non-pregnant dogs will even dig in beds, blankets, or crates at times for the same reasons it’s a remnant of their wilder ancestors’ need for shelter.
Dr. Stanley Coren’s study indicates dogs are more inclined to circle and scratch prior to reclining on coarse surfaces, lending credence to the notion that this activity is associated with comfort and safety.
7. Channelling Digging in the Right Direction
Since digging is natural, the goal isn’t to eliminate it but to manage it. Creating a designated digging area like a sandbox with buried toys gives dogs an approved outlet. Rewarding them for using it reinforces the habit.
For high-energy breeds, organized activities such as AKC Earthdog trials can fulfill their instincts under safe, controlled conditions. And for every dog, regular exercise, interactive play, and supervision are the answer to keeping paws occupied and gardens whole.
Rosie’s “sin” was perhaps in good humor, but her persistence serves as a reminder that digging is not just dirt and holes it’s a glimpse of what makes a dog tick, need, and be. By knowing the why, pet owners can transform an otherwise destructive habit into a wellness-boosting, stimulating activity that keeps tails wagging and relationships intact.
