I know it's in the genes...but is there any way to channel it, tone it down, ANYTHING?????  Of course my in-laws are coming today...they have met Daisy but not Ally...OF COURSE this morning they have dug a deep hole, the biggest yet to date.  I think Ally is trying to dig out under the fence & she's about half way there.  (Of course I wanted them all pretty to meet the grandparents, so OF COURSE they are both COVERED in dirt, mud, dirt caked in paws, etc...I am mainly worried about them digging out.  how can we discourage, or any advice?  I was thinking of covering the current hole w/ something...my biggest fear is them getting out!!!  They have dug holes before, but this is the first where it seems they are focused and it's DEEP...HELP  any advice is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!!!

Julie

Years ago when I had a pair of dalmatians that loved to dig I used to bury their fresh dog poop in the holes - always discouraged digging, especially around the fence line.

Thanks so much for the input...we are going to have to watch them...I caught them in the act a couple of times and told them no...I just hate the idea of not just being able to let them out back to play...oh well, they are going to have to be supervised, at least for a while

LOL, I have one that loves to dig...she disguises it as mole hunting, but sometimes I know she's faking that . She just loves to dig. We live on a farm so it's no big deal.

If yours are digging with the sole intent of escaping, then you best follow Bethany's advice. But if they're just trying to have a good time, you can help them out  (and save your lawn) by providing them with a sandbox. I have a friend who does this and it works great. She uses one of those molded plastic kiddie pools filled with sand.

You'll still have to supervise at first so that if they begin to dig in the lawn, you can redirect them to the sandbox...sort of like teaching them not to chew on inappropriate items by swapping them with a chew toy.  Bury pieces of kibble in there for them to find. They'll have a blast as well as satisfying that natural urge to dig.