Digging!

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

I have been traveling and not able to keep up with DK as much as usual, and Molly has done quite well settling in and bonding with us -- all good things :).

However, she learned it's a great thrill to dig a hole in our playground mulch! We have a thick layer of woodchips down to protect our boys if they fall, and my sheltie never once thought to dig there. Molly was so dirty, covered in damp grit, she had a bath and then had the zoomies, lol. What do we do about digging?? I'm not used to having a digger at all. Only one of my border collies on the ranch would dig. I don't plan on leaving her unsupervised, but she was so fast that I'm wondering if she could dig under a fence if we turned our backs? Thanks as always!

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

I'll be following this for answers, also, as the Lab in our Coby seems to be predominating with the digging gene - this morning she managed to dig up around two sprinkler heads in the backyard and get fairly dirty after the nice bath I gave her yesterday. Doubt a dog could dig out under a fence to be able to get out quickly but I imagine some negative reinforcement may be in order -- hard to go against instinct, though??

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

There have been a number of threads discussing digging.
Some suggestions: Burying a balloon...so it pops when they start to dig
Burying their own poop in the hole.
Using a deterrent, such as red pepper.
Not sure if any of them work. The only thing thing that has ever worked for us, with past dogs, is being right there with them, when they begin to dig, and giving them a correction as it happens. Afterwards, does no good.
Thankfully, Enz is not a digger, so have not had to try any other methods.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

These are good tips, especially the balloon and the poop! I definitely correct her against it and will continue to, but these tricks surely will help.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yes, they can dig to get out. No, it won't happen while your back is turned, but depends upon how hard the dirt is and how small the dog is.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Yes, so many dogs in our community get out from digging--sadly it is the outside dogs. I am opposed to that lifestyle and can't blame the poor dog for trying to escape :/. That is another topic, but why have a dog if you will leave him out in the heat at all times?? Our neighbors have outside dogs and I noticed one is nudging under our fence now...oh, joy!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Yogi had two places he dug in the yard. I put his poop in each one. Never dug there again, nor anywhere else
In our yard.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Worth a shot! Thanks.