Dogs Scratching Carpet Before Lying Down

Dogs who just can t seem to get comfortable and are constantly digging at surfaces before lying down may be arthritic.

Dogs scratching carpet before lying down. If you see your dog furiously scratching at a bed couch or carpet it doesn t necessarily mean they re trying to escape your home. Also dogs prefer a. The habit of scratching the floor before lying down may therefore derive from the need to scare away any unwanted critters. If you ve spied your dog scratching pawing or even biting at his bed before lying down it may seem like an odd way to settle in for a nap.

Other dogs will dig in the carpet and turn a few times before lying down which again may be the expression of an innate behavior dogs engage in to fluff up their bedding before lying down. In the wild before being domesticated canines used to sleep in the open where they often shared the environment with other small critters. Digging and scratching at the carpet may be one of his ways of dealing with his pent up energy but you can give him a better outlet. These actions are of course futile when done today especially on a flat surface such as a modern dog bed and are therefore characterized as vestigial.

Wild dogs used digging behaviors like scratching the floor to create a nest or den in which to rest comfortably and securely. Certain dogs however may dig in the carpet when they are excited or anxious. If you can t get to the root of the problem or your dog becomes aggressive when you try to stop his carpet scratching it s time to see a vet. Playing with your dog going for longer or more frequent walks and giving him time occupying toys all encourage him to spend his energy in more productive ways than tearing up the rug.

Carpet scratching is almost inevitable. Both male and female dogs love digging the ground a bit and then making a few circles around that place before lying down. No dog after all would want to share his bed with spiders or snakes. The best thing to do is to take them outside regularly before the scratching begins.

But just as we slather on face cream sip a mug of hot tea or prop open a book before bed dogs have their reasons for this pre sleep behavior. There is a general consensus among dog behaviorists that. Scratching and digging into bedding a sofa cushion or a chair before lying down is just one of those seemingly oddball things that dogs do. While domesticated dogs now have comfortable and safe places to sleep in their modern homes the urge to scratch at the floor before lying down is literally coded into canine dna making it nearly impossible to resist.

Pay attention to how hard it is for your pup to rise from a down position. Your pet will sometimes need time to calm down and fall asleep. This way the dog would form a comfortable surface for resting and would make a nice spot to conceal from other animals.