Dogs have a natural desire to dig. As natural as this behavior is, it can sometimes be annoying – especially when your dog does it in your newly planted flower bed. But dogs don’t just dig outside – sometimes, they do it indoors when there is nothing to dig up. Sometimes, they do it in their beds.
As a dog owner, you’ve undoubtedly seen your dog do some pretty strange things, but digging in his bed is near the top of the list. Keep reading to learn more about why dogs exhibit this behavior.
7 Reasons Why Dogs Dig in their Beds:
When your dog does something strange, you probably laugh it off, but sometimes, you may wonder why. The truth is that sometimes dogs do things for no reason, but there is a reason behind it most of the time.
Here are some reasons why dogs sometimes dig in their beds:
- Temperature Control – Sometimes, your dog will dig at his bed to cool off certain areas that he feels are too warm so he can be more comfortable.
- Scent – Dogs naturally desire to spread their scent, and giving their bed a few good scratches is one way to deposit that scent.
- Comfort – Many dogs turn in circles before lying down, and scratching or digging at the bed is part of the process.
- Camouflage – In nature, many dogs dig out an area before lying down to hide.
- Making Room – Female dogs dig in their bedding to prepare a comfy nest for themselves and their puppies. You may notice this behavior in your dog when she’s feeling broody.
- Hiding – The most obvious reason anyone digs is to find something – if your dog is digging in his bed, it might be because he hid something there and is trying to find it.
- Nerves – Scratching and digging can be nervous for dogs, so ask yourself if your dog might be stressed by something.
Now that you have a better understanding of why your dog might be digging in his bed, you may wonder if it’s a behavior you should curb and, if so, how. Keep reading to learn more.
Tips for Changing Your Dog’s Behavior:
Generally speaking, if your dog is digging in his bed for any of the reasons above, it is probably not something you need to be concerned about. If your dog frequently displays nervous behavior, it’s worth talking to your vet, but the other reasons are fairly harmless. However, when your dog’s digging and scratching behavior starts to extend to your furniture, it could be a problem.
Here are some options for dealing with your dog’s behavior:
- Give your dog some new, more durable bedding that won’t be ripped to shreds if he digs in it occasionally.
- Keep your dog’s nails trimmed or filed so he can’t do as much damage.
- Distract your dog with a new or interactive toy to help him work off his nervous energy differently.
- Put your dog’s bed away during the day and bring it out only at night so he doesn’t destroy it.
Final words :
Dogs are silly – that is simply a fact of life. If you find your dog digging in his bed, you probably don’t need to be concerned about it. Consider whether one of the reasons listed above might be applicable, and if you’re still worried, talk to your vet.
