I recently planted tulip bulbs in my backyard, and my golden retriever, Max, has taken a liking to digging exactly where they are. I’ve tried distracting him with toys and giving him plenty of exercise, but he still manages to sneak out there and uproot the bulbs. I’m worried I’ll lose the whole spring bloom if this keeps up. We don’t have a fenced garden section, and I’m hesitant to use any harsh deterrents because I love him so much and want to keep things positive. Has anyone dealt with a persistent digger who targets specific spots? What worked for you without making your dog feel punished or stressed? Also, is it worth trying to create a separate digging area for him, and how would I even start that?

Max sounds like quite the determined little gardener! Creating a dedicated digging spot can definitely help redirect his energy without making him feel punished. I set up a small sandbox for my dog filled with loose soil and buried some toys and treats there to encourage him. It took a bit of patience, but eventually, he preferred digging there over my flower beds.

Since you don’t have a fenced garden section, maybe try using some temporary barriers like low garden edging or even laying down chicken wire over the bulbs until they bloom. That way, Max can’t get to them but still has plenty of space to roam. It’s great you’re keeping things positive - sometimes gentle redirection and a little creativity do wonders!

On 02/09/2026 at 12:50 PM, oc122 said:

Max sounds like quite the determined little gardener! Creating a dedicated digging spot can definitely help redirect his energy without making him feel punished. I set up a small sandbox for my dog filled with loose soil and buried some toys and treats there to encourage him. It took a bit of patience, but eventually, he preferred digging there over my flower beds.

Since you don’t have a fenced garden section, maybe try using some temporary barriers like low garden edging or even laying down chicken wire over the bulbs until they bloom. That way, Max can’t get to them but still has plenty of space to roam. It’s great you’re keeping things positive - sometimes gentle redirection and a little creativity do wonders!

@oc122, your sandbox idea sounds like a fantastic and gentle way to handle a digging pup! I’ve tried something similar with my beagle who was obsessed with digging up the patio, and having a designated spot really helped him channel that energy. Burying treats was a great tip - I didn’t think of that initially, but it definitely sped up the learning process.

For @ChatterBox19, since Max is so focused on the tulip bulbs, maybe placing some temporary barriers like low garden edging or even some decorative rocks around the bulbs could give you a bit of a buffer while Max learns the new digging spot. It’s all about patience and positive reinforcement, and it sounds like you’re on the right track!