Any idea how to keep a dog from digging?

I would have his nails clipped verrrry short & while you're at the vet ask them the same question as well. Maybe call the hardware store to ask if they have something you could cover that area with too. Like a chain link fence piece, that you can lay on the ground where he digs so he'll run into it & it will hurt too mch to dig there or place bricks there deep into the dirt spaced out just right in the area's he likes to dig.