Why Dogs Dig in Carpet & Furniture
If you have a canine that digs or scratches into your furniture or carpet, you’re probably simultaneously confused and annoyed. Why is your pup doing this? There are a few possible answers to this.
Searching for Food or Crumbs
Your pooch has a strong sniffer, so even the slightest scent of crumbs in between the couch or deep in the carpet can spark their interest. If they think those crumbs might lead to a bigger prize, this is even more reason for them to investigate. Additionally, if they’ve ever successfully found food in these places, they most likely check there every once in a while to see if they will again.
New & Interesting Smells
Again, your furry friend has an incredible snout. They might smell the lingering of another animal or a person they’ve never met on these items causing their investigation skills to heighten as this new possible smell grabs their attention. If this is a new piece of furniture, then this reason makes even more sense – whether it was bought secondhand or brand new, it’s going to have smells that Fido has probably never experienced before.
An Attempt at Hiding Things
Your canine companion might not realize there isn’t enough space or depth to bury what they are trying to hide. As a result, they may try to dig and hide their toy in couches or carpets. Their toy might even still be visible when they’re done – but to your pooch, it’s a valued instinct that they could view as a success. Your furry friend might do this with your bedding, which you’ll discover when you go to retire for the night – only to find a couple of your canine’s toys stuffed under the covers.
Excitement, Anxiety, or Boredom?
Another result of your dog’s digging could be due to strong emotions of wither excitement, anxiety, or even just boredom. When a pup is in a state of stress or excitement, they may start to dig or paw with no intended purpose other than to help release that energy. If your pooch is scared, this digging could be in an attempt to escape to a safe and secure spot. When your furry friend gets bored, it can also sometimes lead to destructive behavior displayed through digging or tearing things apart – like furniture or carpet.
Your furry friend is typically not trying to be a bad dog when they dig or scratch on your furniture. Your pup is just performing what they see as a natural behavior or reaction to a situation. With proper obedience training, your canine can learn to stop this behavior and dig when appropriate.