Some of you have dogs who just love to dig their beds every single time they go to sleep. Most of the owners believe that this is a problem that should be solved. Only a few know the real truth.
Today, we will present why do dogs dig in their beds answer and reveal all additional things you should know.
Reasons Why Do Dogs Dig In Their Beds
Why do dogs dig in their beds, and is this a huge problem? First and foremost, this isn’t a huge issue, and it is understandable. Your dog is still healthy, and there are no related problems. Dogs do this due to their instincts. In nature, they always dig the bed—or, better said, the ground—before they go to sleep.
There are five reasons why they do this. Your pet can do this for all five reasons or just one. It is important to add that they dig in a bed for the same reasons they do in nature. Now we will explain all five of them.
-
Temperature
In nature, when a dog is too cold, he will dig a small hole to stay warm. If he is too hot, he will dig a hole to decrease the temperature. The earth is cold beneath him, so you can deduce why he is doing this. When in an apartment, he will do the same thing for the same reason.
Obviously, there is no point in doing this, but for dogs, instincts are very powerful. This is one of the most common reasons, and all dog breeds can be seen digging a bed due to this very reason.
-
To Hide
Believe it or not, your dog can also dig a bed because he wants to hide. For most of us, this is strange and even weird. But for dogs, it isn’t. If you understand why dogs do this in nature and that instincts are extremely strong, you can understand why he wants to hide in a bed. In nature, a dog will dig a den in order to have a safe place to rest and stay hidden from other animals. In an apartment, there is no need to do this, but the instinct is still present.
-
Marking The Bed
Although we are referring to this reason as “marking the bed,” a more accurate explanation would be “marking the area.” Keep in mind that this isn’t the same as marking the territory. A territory is much bigger while a bed is much smaller. When he digs, he will leave his scent on the bedding or on a bed in general. Another dog or animal will smell that scent and know that your dog sleeps here. It is another common reason, and it can be seen among all dog breeds.
-
Your Dog Makes A Nest
This is a rare reason, and it occurs only in specific situations. Your dog may dig a bed in order to create a nest where she will keep the puppies. In nature, this is precisely what dogs do, and they also do it in houses. The goal is to provide a safe and warm den to her puppies.
Only female dogs that are pregnant will dig a bed due to this reason. Male dogs won’t, obviously.
-
Comfort
This particular reason is also present among dogs in wild and those who live in an apartment. He will dig a bed in order to rearrange the bedding and pillows and make this area more comfortable.
In the wild, he will dig a hole partially for the same reason: to remove the rocks or anything that may have a negative effect on his comfort.
Don’t forget that arthritic dogs will circle around the bed. They are trying to lessen the pain before they go to bed. This doesn’t always work, but it should be mentioned here.
Your Dog Digs In A Bed: What You Should Do?
As you were able to see, there are no reasons to be concerned. All 5 reasons are related to the instincts your dog has, and they are perfectly normal. There is no need to call a veterinarian or to take any steps unless you are worried about your floor being scratched or you have reports from your neighbors.
In that case scenario, you may want to train your dog and help him stop digging a bed. The first thing to do is to say no every single time he wants to sleep with you in bed. Instead, make him a separate bed or use a dog bed you can get online and try to explain that this is his new place. One trick you can use is to reward him every time he sleeps in his own bed.
Obviously, you should shout “no” every single time you see your pet digging in a bed. This refers to when he is digging in his own bed or in yours. The goal is to help him understand that this is bad behavior, and you don’t want to tolerate it anymore. Learn more about dog behaviour and what they mean.
On the other hand, some dogs do this rarely and only in specific situations such as when she is pregnant. There is no need to do anything in that case and the behavior will fade away quickly.
It is worth noting that training your dog not to dig a bed can take a few weeks or even a few months. You are basically trying to affect his instincts, which is complicated and obviously time-consuming. You must stay persistent.
The Final Word
Why do dogs dig in their beds question has been answered. All you need to remember is that this is perfectly normal; it isn’t a huge problem, and all dogs in nature do the same thing. It is a part of their instincts. If you want to change this, make sure you have a lot of time and train your pet so he can understand that this behaviour isn’t acceptable and he must adapt.
Would you like to playwith your friend? Read my 7 Fun indoor Dog Games.