If you have a dog, you know the score. Bedtime arrives, and before you have a chance to put on your pajamas, your dog is up on the bed digging and spinning.
In addition to messing up the covers, you worry that he’ll make a hole in the mattress, but no matter what you do, he won’t stop digging, wads up all the covers in his own bed, and even though he’s a small breed, he takes up a huge amount of space!
There are several potential explanations for why dogs dig in beds, so let’s start at the beginning and examine the evolutionary reasons for why dogs do it.
However, it goes beyond mere tradition, so let’s begin at the beginning. According to genetic evidence, dogs may have been domesticated for the first time in Siberia around 23,000 years ago, during a harsh glacial period. Imagine the expression on that caveman’s face if he had witnessed dogs digging in their bed and stealing their covers for the first time.
However, dogs do not just dig for shelter in domesticated environments. A wild dog will also be seen digging a bed, which is crucial to their survival. In order to survive, your dog’s wild ancestors had to find a safe place to rest, and they passed that instinct on to your furry family member.
Thus, it is challenging to train a dog to stop digging because it is a natural instinct. Domestic dogs’ propensity for digging dates back to their ancestors’ need to dig a small hole to keep warm during the winter.
They seek warmth from your body temperature, which is why they like to cuddle up right next to you and will push you all the way to the edge of the bed to do so.
Although your bed may be very comfortable without digging, your dog’s instinct is to dig in it to make it better, as digging helps to make the hard surface of the ground more comfortable. But dogs don’t just dig in your bed for that reason.
#1 Trim Your Dog’s Nails
A good manicure for your dog is always beneficial; regular nail trimming can reduce potential damage to your dog’s sleeping area. Dogs need to have their nails trimmed every 3-4 weeks. Regular trimming can help keep their nails from getting infected and prevent potential damage to furniture or hardwood floors. 2.
After trimming your dog’s nails, you might find it helpful to gently file them to avoid any edges forming.
The Evolutionary Origin of Digging
You must first comprehend the evolution of dogs in order to comprehend where this bedtime behavior originates. Dogs used to live in the wild before becoming our cherished furry roommates and family members. During this time, they developed certain habits that, while strange to us now, were necessary for their survival at the time. This may help to explain why it may be difficult to train a dog to stop digging and engaging in other destructive behavior because it is in his or her nature to do so.
Learning to build a shelter was one of the most crucial things a wild dog had to do to survive. Domestic dog behavior often reflects that. Dogs began using digging as a form of defense against their environment when they lived in regions that experienced particularly chilly or wet weather. They could dig a small hole in the ground to keep warm or build a nest of dirt and leaves out of leaves to make a hard surface more comfortable.
Although domesticated dogs are no longer in the wild—the dog park doesn’t count—and they no longer need to build shelter to survive, their instinct to dig still occasionally arises as they prepare to lay their heads down.
Why Do Dogs Dig In Their Beds?
It’s simple to picture a dog digging in the yard. It’s also not something we usually worry about unless it’s ruining our yard. It’s an easily recognisable part of ‘dogs being dogs’.
But what about the fact that our dog’s bed is probably something we spent some money on? Quite frequently, a lot of money. It’s estimated that American pet owners will spend $99 billion on their animals in 2020, and we won’t be able to afford that without splurging on a few luxuries.
Additionally, their bed is frequently prominently displayed in our homes on a continuous basis. As a result, we are much more likely to view dogs digging up their bedding as a problem behavior rather than a typical characteristic of dogs. We’re no longer just being curious when we ask, “Why do dogs dig in their beds?” We want answers. And ideally, solutions. It helps to begin by asking why dogs dig at all in order to get them.
Many dogs dig occasionally or frequently throughout their lives. Some breeds are more hardwired to do it than others. We’ll see why in a minute. However, many of the instincts that lead dogs to dig up their bedding are common to all breeds. Therefore, the difference between a dog who can’t help but dig in their bed and a dog who has never even lifted a paw to move their blankets is just a result of individual differences.
We’ll start by examining the breeds that can’t help but enjoy digging, and then we’ll discuss why other dogs might feel the same way.
FAQ
Why is my dog constantly digging in her bed?
The majority of dogs dig at their beds because it is a natural instinct to create a cozy, warm place to rest.
Why do dogs burrow under blankets and dog in the bed?
Crawling under the covers might be a regular occurrence for some dogs. Others only engage in it when they are feeling unwell or anxious, such as during a storm. Dogs may also snooze with their owners because they like the warmth and company of sharing a bed with their “human pack.”
Why do dogs scratch their beds before lying down?
Before settling in for a nap, they will dig or scratch at their bed. When the scratching becomes somewhat destructive, you may start to worry. There’s typically no need to be concerned though. Because it soothes their territorial itch, dogs enjoy scratching their beds.
Why is my dog suddenly burrowing?
Dogs may create holes to lie in the cool dirt during hot weather. Additionally, they might dig to find water or shelter from the wind, rain, or cold. If your dog is excavating holes close to building foundations, sizable trees, or a water source, it may be doing so for comfort or safety.