8 Reasons Why Whippets Dig & 7 Tips To Stop It

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Do you find your whippet digging every time you let them outside? Digging isn’t uncommon behavior for dogs and there’s always a reason behind why they do it.

So..

Why Do Whippets Dig:

Whippets can get in the bad habit of digging because they find it fun and have unintentionally learned that digging gets them what they want, your attention. Other reasons why whippets dig are they’re feeling anxious, trying to escape, wanting to hide something, or attempting to cool themselves down.

In this post you’ll discover:

9 real reasons why whippets dig so much
When your whippets digging is something to worry about
7 tips to help reduce or completely stop their digging (Tip #5 is the easiest and most effective!)
And much more

Let’s dig in…

Table of Contents

why do whippets dig and how to stop whippet digging

The 9 Causes Of Your Whippets Digging

1) Your Whippet Is Hunting

Historically whippets originated in Victoria England and were bred for dog racing and rabbit hunting!

Thus, they naturally have a more intense prey drive than other breeds. This could be the reason your whippet is digging so much.

If you have a fenced yard to keep your whippet from running off and chasing animals, the only other method they have for tracking down animals is by searching underground.

Animals can burrow underground, hide under decks, and sheds. Since whippets can be highly prey-motivated they may stop at nothing to get to the animals.

Leading to your yard looking like a warzone.

2) You Whippet Is Bored

If you leave your whippet alone for an extended period of time they might get bored. Digging can be a ton of fun and mentally stimulate them.

In addition, if you let your whippet out into your yard by themselves without toys, sticks, or anything to play with around, digging might be the only thing to do.

If your whippet is a puppy still and full of energy its important to understand this high energy needs to be burned.

A puppy will find a way to entertain themselves and when they learn to dig, it’s exciting and fun!

3) Your Whippets Trying To Escape!

Some whippets can be quite clever and may dig to try and escape. Especially if you have a fence in the yard and there are lots of things around your house.

The reason being, if your whippet can hear, and possibly see things through the fence it might entice them to try and break out.

This is more likely if you have squirrels, rabbits, and any other animals that wander around your house.

Remember, whippets were bred to chase down rabbits so they naturally love to hunt.

Another reason your whippet might want to escape is to get to you! If your whippet has separation anxiety, they simply might be trying to get back to you when you leave them.

4) Comfort And Protection From The Sun

Did you know dogs mostly release heat through their nose, the pads of their feet, and through panting?

On a hot summer day if your whippet is digging in shady spots, near the side of your home, or by your deck, they may be looking to cool off.

Since dogs release heat through the pads of their feet, digging down to the cold under soil is a strategy they use to help cool down.

This is one of the more obvious reasons since it usually occurs on hot days or after extensive exercise. Plus, they will dog and in certain shady spots and lay down in their hole.

5) Your Whippet Wants Your Attention

Whippets can be quite needy at times for our attention. Especially if they have built up energy and want to play.

As a result your whippet may actually dig in order to get your attention.

This can be positive attention or negative attention, they just want you engaging with them.

So if you find yourself running to your dog anytime they dig, or shouting at them, you are unfortunately reinforcing this behavior.

Another good indicator this is why they are digging is if they start trying to play with you after you catch them in the act.

6) Compulsive Behavior

Any and all dogs can develop weird habits over time. As the frequency increases for specific behavior the more it solidifies as a habit.

When it comes to digging this can make whippets feel excitement and joy.

So digging in itself is not problematic aside from the effects it has on your yard.

When digging does become problematic it’s when it turns into a compulsive behavior.

For example, if you find your dog is digging not just outside but also inside on carpets, floors, beds, etc. This could be compulsive behavior.

7) Hiding Something Valuable

Did you know wolves will dig holes and put their valuables in to protect them?

This allows them to keep their resources safe and hidden from those that would try to steal them.

Some whippets will display this behavior and may be digging to bury their valuables.

If you notice something you’ve given them has gone missing, they may just be hidden in your yard.

8) Your Whippet Is Anxious

Whippets are a breed that can be shy, fearful, and timid. This can lead many to developing anxiety.

Unfortunately for your grass and yard, digging can be a coping mechanism to relieve their anxious feelings.

Digging for this reason can be difficult to determine.

If you know your whippet may have signs of anxiety it could be related to their digging.

Always consult professionals that handle dog anxiety for the best plan of action with this particular situation.

9) Burning Off Excess Energy

Whippets are high energy breeds that need to be exercised and stimulated more than other breeds. One walk might not be enough for your whippet.

Dogs with too much pent up energy need ways to relieve this, digging is one way.

This gets their heart pumping and stimulates them enough to tire them out.

The best way to determine if this is the root cause of their digging is to exercise them before letting them in the yard.

I mean really exercise them.

If increasing their activity and mental stimulation decreases digging, you’ve found the root of their digging problem.

7 Tips To Get Your Whippet To Stop Digging

1) Identify Why Your Whippet Is Digging

The first section of this article was specific to helping you determine why your whippet is digging.

The first step in solving any problem is to determine the root cause.

That’s the only true way to eliminate any bad behavior in dogs.

Here are a some quick tips of what to look for:

Look at locations of holes. If near a fence they might be looking to escape or hunt down nearby animals they can spot outside the fence line.
Holes close together in open areas or at roots of shrubs and trees, may indicate your whippet is hunting down animals (like mice, rats, raccoons, or possums).
If your whippet is digging near your deck, around the foundation of your home, or in shady areas, perhaps your dog is just looking to cool off.
Whippets looking for attention will dig with no specific placement of their holes. They will likely respond to you coming out to them by trying to play with you.

Remember some whippets may simply enjoy digging for the pleasure it gives them. Therefore, they may have no real reason or pattern with their digging.

2) Know What Not To Do

The last thing you want to do is accidentally encourage your dogs to dig.

First and foremost you want to know the things you should avoid doing.

You should never punish your dog directly for digging, instead you want to reward them for behaving well.

For example, when you catch them digging, don’t yell and scream at them. You need to be calm, cool and collected when you see this happen.

You getting fired up will only make things worse.

Instead what you can do is walk over to them calmly, then with a loud noise interrupt their behavior. When they stop, reward them.

Some whippets just want your attention so simply walking out to them with a toy may encourage them to play with you rather than dig.

Remember, if your whippet is digging because they want your attention you need to let them know digging will not get your attention. In time, this will discourage their digging habit.

3) Increase Your Whippets Activity

Digging often occurs because of pent up energy in whippets.

Their high level of energy (especially when under 1 years old) needs to be dispersed.

So as a strategy to reduce digging, increasing their daily exercise and activities can burn off this energy.

That way when you let them out in the yard, they don’t have this build up of energy they need to get rid of.

“A tired doggo is a good doggo”

4) Give Your Whippet More Attention

Dogs that dig out of boredom and to get your attention just need more one on one time with the humans they love.

Not only will this reduce their need to dig to get you to play with them but it will stimulate their minds. This will reduce their boredom thus, stopping their digging.

5) Use Your Whippets Feces

Yep, you read that right. You can actually use your dog’s feces against them to stop digging.

Some dogs hate the smell of their own feces so if you place poop in one of their digging holes it can deter them from continuing.

6) Alternatives To Discourage Digging

There are a few strategies some owners use to stop whippets from digging. Here are a couple things you can try:

Use safe blockades around areas of frequent digging
Block holes using large flat rocks to make it hard for them to keep digging
You can use smelly things to deter them like red cayenne pepper (our fav), citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit), coffee grounds, and anti-chew spray.
For more tech savvy people you can hook up motion sensors to turn on sprinklers or loud noises when they enter a “no digging” zone

7) Give Them Their Own Digging Zone

If all else fails and your whippet simply loves to dig, try giving them their own digging spot. This is an area that is okay for play.

This can be a great strategy for those that like the idea of having a place their whippet can go to burn off some steam.

Setting up a new digging zone and training your whippet can be done by:

Locating a spot you wish to use.
Cover the digging zone with soil or sand (you can also use a child-sized sandbox).
Make the new digging zone attractive for them. Try burying safe items like toys for them to discover.
If you catch them in the ‘unrestricted zone’ digging, interrupt the behavior with a loud noise and firmly say ‘ ‘no-dig’’. Then take them to the digging zone.
Anytime they dig in the digging zone, praise them and give them a treat.

Other posts you may be interested in:

8 Real Reasons Whippets Look Sad & Depressed + 4 Tips

Top 5 Reasons Why Whippets Poop So Much + Helpful Tips

Why Are Whippets So Skinny? The Truth + 8 Reasons & Tips

Citations

Sexual Maturity in Puppies: What to Know and What to Expect
7 Tips to Stop Your Dog from Digging Up the Yard
Why Do Dogs Dig?
How to Prevent a Dog From Digging
How to Stop Puppy Digging
Stress & Compulsive Behavior