Dig

Some dogs were simply born to dig — so let’s put that superpower to good use. This trick gives your dog a safe, fun outlet for natural behaviour and sets you up with a cue you can use anywhere. Here’s how to teach it.

Training Methods Used

• Shaping

• Capturing

What You’ll Need

• A towel, small blanket, or mat

• Small treats your dog loves

• A quiet area to start the training

• Your clicker or “yes!” marker

• Choose your cue word ready to pair later (“Dig,” “Scratch,” etc.)

How to Teach It

• Getting Started: Let your dog see you tuck a treat under the corner of the towel.

• Encourage your dog to try to get it.

• When your dog moves a paw toward, steps on, or digs at the towel, mark and uncover the treat for your dog to eat.

• Repeat until your dog is reliably digging to get the treat.

• Add your cue just before or as they dig.

• Gradually transfer the behaviour to your final digging surface (towel → sandbox → yard).

Troubleshooting

• Dog just stares at the towel: Make sure they see you tuck the treat under. Try placing a treat on the towel to encourage them.

• Dog digs one swipe and stops: Reward the single swipe again to rebuild rhythm.

• Dog is a little too enthusiastic: Take a short break, reset after every rep and switch to a yoga mat or something similar.

• Dog only digs outdoors: Using capturing, put it on cue outside by pairing your cue and using your marker and treats.