If your dog has been ripping out grass a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my dog rip out grass? Likely reasons why your dog rips out grass are that it is bored, it likes the feeling and taste, or that it has learned that the behavior is rewarded.
There are a number of possible reasons why your dog rips out grass and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my dog rip out grass?
Below are a number of possible reasons why your dog rips out grass and what would make each of them more likely.
Boredom
One possible reason why your dog rips out grass is that it is bored. This would be more likely if it has started doing it since getting less exercise and if it tends to do it more before getting exercise. In this case, it would help to make sure that your dog is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.
Your dog likes the feeling and taste
A likely cause is that your dog likes the feeling or taste of the grass. This would be more likely if it tends to do it when it is playing or if it does it at random times. In this case, it could help to try to give your dog things to be distracted by such as toys or bones.
Encouraging the behavior
It might also be the case that your dog has learned that it gets rewarded for tearing up the grass. If you tend to give your dog things such as toys, treats or extra attention, when it rips up grass, it will likely do it more in order to get more rewards.
Diet issue or illness
If your dog has also been eating the grass, the cause might also be that it has a diet issue that is causing it to get nutrients from the grass or that it has an illness. This would be more likely if your dog has started doing it suddenly since a change in its diet or since showing other signs of having an illness.
How do I stop my dog from tearing up the grass?
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Avoid encouraging the behavior
As mentioned above, it might be the case that your dog has learned that the behavior is rewarded. Instead, it would help to stop playing with it and give it a “time out” inside when it starts digging the grass. Doing this should teach it that destroying the grass results in it getting things that it does not want.
Give your dog distractions
Another option would be to give your dog things to be distracted by when it is outside. Things you could give it could include toys and bones. Doing so should help to prevent your dog from looking for things to do.
Give your dog exercise
As mentioned above, it might be the case that your dog has been doing it due to not getting enough exercise. It would help to ensure that your dog is able to get the daily amount of recommended exercise for its age and breed.
Redirect its focus
It would also help to try to redirect your dog’s focus as soon as it seems likely to start digging the grass onto things such as playing with you, a bone or playing with toys.