Surely on more than one occasion you have caught your dog trying to make a hole by digging in the ground of the park, scraping its paws against a hard ground or scratching the bed before lying on it. But do you know the reason why they do it?
It may seem significant to us because we do not understand it, but in the canine world it has its meaning and you may very well be surprised to know it. Let’s review what are the main reasons why a dog scratches his bed or the floor.
Index of contents
- 1 Why do dogs scratch the bed?
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- 1.0.1 Scratching the bed to mark it as yours
- 1.0.2 Scratching the bed to remove energy
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- 2 Why do dogs scratch the ground?
- 3 Why do dogs dig in the ground?
- 4 Why do dogs scratch the wall and / or the door?
Why do dogs scratch the bed?
There are two reasons why a dog scratches his bed before going to bed to rest or get some sleep. Your dog can scratch Your bed for both or only for one of them, each dog is a world….
Scratching the bed to mark it as yours
Oddly enough, since dogs don’t sweat because they cool by panting with their tongues, they have tiny sweat glands on their paws. These glands leave, like their poop or urine, a very characteristic odor.
With this, what the dog does is spread its scent on the bed, marking its territory. He doesn’t because he wants to tell us anything … it’s just pure instinct.
Scratching the bed to remove energy
A dog that has not exercised enough or walked long enough may have excess energy that it needs to eliminate before bed. That’s why sometimes they scratch the bed or play with it for a while before sleeping, to get completely tired and sleep more peacefully.
Why do dogs scratch the ground?
A dog can scratch the ground for two very simple reasons, the first is because he wants to sleep there. What it does is scratch a bit to expand its smell or simply to try to soften the area where you are going to lie down.
Although the main reason a dog normally scratches the ground is because it is filing its nails. It may be an indication that perhaps need your nails cut or he just wants to file them a little bit more.
Why do dogs dig in the ground?
It is very common in dogs, since their own instinct tells them to do it. It is a very natural way to file your nails and even exercise and expend energy.
Another reason why a dog scratches the ground is to dig up something. Let’s not forget that the dog’s sense of smell is much more developed than ours and they are capable of perceiving odors that we do not perceive.
Searching for a piece of bone, a ball or any buried object that catches his attention is a game for him. It will scratch the ground until it is unearthed and played with.
Dogs also scratch the ground when they relieve themselves (poop) to cover it with dirt, it is a natural instinct.
Why do dogs scratch the wall and / or the door?
They are behaviors that occur when the dog has excess energy or when the dog suffers owner separation anxiety. They are different cases but they are very close.
Excess energy manifests itself with bad behavior, scratching of walls, house floor, etc…. The dog looks for a way to play and spend all his energy.
When the dog scratches the door, he does it because he simply wants to open it. Usually to go looking for its owner, so clearly it is a big anxiety problem. There are techniques to eliminate separation stress in dogs that can help you if this is your problem.
Scratching doors, walls, parquet, biting furniture, slippers, etc … it is within the normal behavior of a dog that needs to expend its energy. The best way to solve this problem is to do more sports with your dog.