What to Do When Your Dog Digs in the Water Bowl

Sick of walking into puddles?
If your dog digs in the water bowl, it’s not purely to annoy you. It can be to get your attention, but often, it’s just a habit they need to be trained out of. Here’s why it happens, and what you can do to fix it.

When your dog digs in the water bowl, it’s usually about boredom, attention, or comfort… not bad behaviour. Identifying the cause helps you pick practical fixes like no-spill bowls, fountains, or crate training to keep your floors dry and your pup content. 

Why Dogs Dig at Their Water Bowls

If your dog’s turning their water bowl into a splash pad, you’re not alone. It’s a messy habit, but it’s rarely about the water itself.

Here’s what might be going on:

1. They’re bored

Bored dogs do weird things. If your dog’s left alone with nothing to do, digging at the water bowl might just be their version of “fun.”

This is especially true in crates. If there’s no mental stimulation in there, they’ll find their own entertainment. (Usually the kind you have to clean up.)

👉 Set up the crate right with durable, crate-safe toys and a stable, non-slip bowl.
👉 Also: Why dogs destroy toys (and how to stop it)

Count yourself lucky it’s just the bowl. Some dogs dig beds, which is way more expensive to replace.

2. They want attention

Yelling, laughing, running over with a mop—doesn’t matter. If it gets a reaction, it’s a win for your dog.

They don’t care if it’s negative. To them, it’s still attention.

That’s where good crate training can help. A calm, predictable routine means fewer antics.
👉 How to crate train your dog so they enjoy time in their own cosy space 

3. They’re hot

Some dogs splash to cool off. Breeds like Huskies and Bulldogs especially struggle with heat.

Our black-and-white Staffy’s the same. On a hot sunny day, he’d rather be at the back of the crate in the comfort of shade, while his brother’s flat on his back sunbathing, paws to the clouds. 

4. The bowl’s reflecting light

This one’s sneaky. Stainless steel bowls can reflect overhead lights or shadows, and some dogs go into “chase mode” trying to catch the shimmer.

Switching to a non-reflective bowl can stop this cold.

5. They prefer moving water

Still water bores some dogs. If yours drinks from garden puddles but ignores their indoor bowl, they might just like movement.

A dog water fountain could be a game changer. It keeps water fresh, flowing, and—bonus—reduces bacteria buildup between cleanings.

6. It’s just a phase

Puppies especially go through splashy stages. It’s not always about boredom. Often, they’re just figuring things out (with their paws).

👉 Here’s how to help your pup calm down

How to Keep the Floor Dry

You don’t have to live with soaked floors. Start by spotting the pattern:
When does your dog dig? After you leave? When they’re hyped?

Once you know the “why,” you can work on a fix.

✅ Switch to a no-spill bowl

Bowls with splash guards and non-slip bases help a ton. Some have floating lids that limit how much water can escape at once.

The Road Refresher is one of the best no-spill bowls I’ve come across. Great for travel and crate setups.

✅ Try a water fountain

Dogs who love running water are often drawn to fountains. They also help reduce bacteria buildup between cleans, since the water’s always moving.

✅ Move the bowl out of direct light

If your dog’s reacting to light reflections, especially with a metal bowl, shift it to a shaded spot.

✅ Give them more to do

A bored dog gets creative. Use puzzle toys, scatter feeding, or rotate their toys every few days, especially in bad weather when walks are short.

👉 Stuck indoors? Here’s how to keep your dog active, rain or shine 

✅ Don’t react

If your dog’s doing it for attention, don’t give them any. Clean the mess calmly, no eye contact, no fuss. Body language says more than words.

✅ Use a heavier bowl

You can nest a light bowl inside a heavier ceramic one or buy a weighted base bowl. This works well for dogs who like to paw or push their bowls around.

✅ Check the bowl shape

Long-eared breeds do better with tapered bowls. Flat-faced breeds need angled ones. It’s not just preference… it’s comfort and access.

✅ Use a mat or tray

When all else fails, protect your floors. A waterproof mat under the bowl can stop spills from soaking into wood or seeping into grout.

When to Call a Pro

If the behaviour gets worse, or nothing seems to help, check in with your vet, or a local pet behaviourist. In rare cases, water bowl digging can be linked to anxiety or neurological issues.

“The best first step is to work with your vet to determine the most likely cause…” (PetMD)

Final Thoughts

If you’re dealing with constant puddles, you’re not the only one. It’s messy. It’s annoying. And yeah, it can feel like your dog’s just making extra work for you.

But in most cases, it’s not bad behaviour—it’s just their way of trying to meet a need. Sometimes it’s boredom, sometimes it’s heat, sometimes they’re just… being a dog.

The good news? Once you know what’s causing the splashing, a small change – like switching to one of the better suited water bowls for dogs – can make all the difference.