Hi, I have had the same issue's with my Alaskan Malamute. He just loved to help cause he seen me dig, plant, smell the flowers and so forth. I purchased a large but short plastic pot, filled it half way full of just soil and let him dig away. Only because it is their nature to dig and to give him his own area (pot) made him totally satisfied to leave the others alone. I even transferred a few weeds for him to dig out and id replant them for him and make his day (mine too) for the smile and approval on his face and in his eyes was all worth it. Animals are actually no more complicated then a humans are. They look for approval in their activities just as we do. It builds character, trust and bonding.