So, before attempting to change your dog‟s behaviour, first spend some time determining what you can do to minimize the causes. Find more time to walk your dog, spend some time in the backyard exercising with them, and make sure you are attending their needs at all times. If you toss your dog in the backyard all day and leave them be, don‟t expect to find a pristine lawn when you return.

To start, protect any areas you don‟t want dug up. You can cover the areas that your dog likes to dig with something they cannot dig through – like rocks or tarps.

Your dog wants soft dirt to dig up, so if you can minimize the areas that they have access to, you‟ll be able to cut them off easier. Another good trick is to sprinkle natural dog repellents like red pepper flakes, pennyroyal oil, or citronella – all easily available.

Finally, you need to give your dog something solid to think about other than the destructive behaviours they have picked up. For many high energy dogs, simple training or obedience school can help with this. Because you‟re giving your dog commands they need to think about, you are replacing the urges and desires they have to dig with constructive actions that you can control.

Finally, if you really must leave your dog in a place where they can dig excessively, provide them with a toy or an alternative way to burn off that excess energy. Toys, bones, or a second dog with which to play are all good ways to reduce the un-channelled energy that gets unleashed on your poor peonies.