Harley started digging up the yard when we got him in August. We never had a dog that did this and my dad loves our lawn. We sprayed him with a spray bottle full of water and he stopped. We will see if he remembers not to dig this Spring. So far so good. I guess you should find something that the dog is already afraid of (so you don't cause new fears) and use that. I don't mean hitting or anything like that obviously. Maybe just yelling or making a loud noise will help.