Many homeowners take pride in their yard, keeping the grass perfectly manicured and tending to a beautiful array of garden plants. The result is a beautiful expanse of landscaping, as green as the neighbors' envy.

Introduce a dog into this environment and all of that work can be upended in an afternoon. Many dogs love to dig, and they won't care how much time you spent seeding the lawn or tending the azalea bushes.

If your dog is tearing up the yard, you don't have to keep them confined indoors. A few preventative steps can save your grass and garden while also keeping your pooch happy.

There are many reasons why a dog might start digging a hole in the yard. The Humane Society of the United States says it is helpful to know why your dog is behaving this way before you try to remedy its behavior.

Your dog might simply be bored and looking for something to do. Digging is particularly common if your dog spends a long time in the yard, doesn't have enough toys or other items to interact with, or is young and full of energy.

Tiring your dog out will keep them occupied and make them less likely to dig up the yard. Lisa Kaplan Gordon, writing for the National Association of Realtors' home improvement site HouseLogic, says one option is to hide a toy in the yard so the dog will focus on finding it. You can also keep a variety of challenging toys in the yard, rotating them out so your dog has a different selection every few days.

Set aside some time to spend with your dog each day. The Humane Society of the United States recommends walking them at least twice a day. You can also keep them active by playing fetch or teaching them new tricks.

Some breeds are naturally inclined to dig. The American Kennel Club says terriers are especially likely to do so, and have often been used to hunt burrowing creatures. If there are signs of gophers or other subterranean animals in your yard, your dog might be able to hear them and try to dig them out.

Fencing or other exclusionary steps will keep pests at bay, and have the added benefit of preventing further damage to your garden and lawn. Make sure to use non-toxic methods, as you can accidentally harm your dog if you try to combat pests with poison.

Your dog might simply want to get your attention. The Humane Society of the United States says dogs may think digging is an acceptable behavior if they see you turning up the garden to get rid of weeds and add new plants. Accompany your dog when you go out in the garden, and gently scold them if they start to dig. Gardening with your dog as a companion increases the amount of time you can spend together, and you can play with your pooch or take them for a walk when you need a break.

In certain weather conditions, a dog might dig in the yard to try to cool down or seek shelter. You might notice that the behavior is more prevalent in shady areas, or on days where it is hot, cold, windy, or rainy.

Putting a doghouse in the yard will give your pooch shelter from this type of weather. You should also make sure there is plenty of water available, in a bowl which can't easily be tipped over.

Dogs sometimes dig to try to make an escape route out of the yard. If this is the reason for their behavior, the digging will be concentrated around the fence or other barriers.

Some obstacles can discourage a dog from digging in these areas. Buried chicken wire, boulders, and similar items make it less likely that a dog will try to dig in a certain place. However, the American Kennel Club says these barriers might just cause the dog to dig elsewhere.

Providing the dog with their own place to dig can keep them from tearing up other parts of the yard. Kaplan says a space measuring four feet by four feet should be sufficient, and that sand and wood chips are safe material to fill it with.

Showing the dog a toy or treat and then burying it can help them understand that it is OK for them to dig in this part of the yard. Praise the dog when it digs in this area; if they return to digging in an unacceptable area, scold them and guide them over to their own plot.

If your dog has a particular affection for digging up the garden, you can put in some repellants. Sprinkle the plants with materials such as red pepper flakes, white vinegar, or powdered mustard. These materials make the plants taste unpleasant and will discourage your dog from eating them.

Fencing around the garden plots can also keep your dog away from them. Alternatively, natural barriers such as prickly rose bushes can also work well.

Some methods of punishment will not work well. The Humane Society of the United States says you shouldn't scold your dog after the fact, since they won't connect their behavior to the punishment. Filling a hole with water is also unlikely to discourage them from digging in that area, and is more likely to add muddy paw prints to your troubles.