Understand why a dog digs the couch!
Have you ever lost sleep wondering why the dog digs the couch? Believe me: he does it for several instinctive reasons, not only to get attention or destroy something! .
Why do dogs dig?
The wolves always dig the land where they live. This act is related to the preparation of the bed, the heating, the cooling, the marking of territory and the smells. Even not living more in a wild environment, the dogs repeat this behavior.
Buried provisions
Why does dog dig the sofa, the bed, the sand and the earth? This may occur when he receives a treat and wants to save it for later. So, he "buries" the treat in the couch to look for it when he is hungry.
This explains why hide-and-seek games are super-stimulating for the puppy. Finding treasures lying around the house helps keep him entertained and is a great form of environmental enrichment.
Bedding
Why does the dog dig into the couch, spin around and lay down? In this case, he is preparing the bed, making it more comfortable to sleep better.
If the furry already has a bed, but prefers the couch, try to understand what is wrong with it. Is it in a busy place or does the dog prefer the cover that is on the couch?
Identifying what it can be bothering the dog to the point of he not to use the bed, it is easier to correct the problem and to do with that he scratches the own object instead of the sofa!
Inadequate temperature and excess of energy
Why does the dog dig the couch to the point of doing a hole in him? For that situation, there are basically two explanations: room temperature or excess of energy that was not spent.
In the case of the temperature, the day can be too hot or too cold. The digging dog adjusts the ambient heat and sleeps warmer or cooler. If it is hot, the surface layer is removed, which makes the bed colder.
In the case of a colder day, when digging, he warms both the body and the surface, since it expends energy and causes friction on the fabric. One way or another, placing the bed in a warmer or cooler place can solve this problem.
If the issue is excess energy, the resolution is to spend it. Dogs more energetic they need routine activities for not destroying everything that they see for the front. Without having what to do, a dog stressed can gnaw objects and to dig the sofa until arriving to the bottom.
The walks should occur at least twice a day. If the tutor doesn't dispose of time for that, he should consider a canine day care and an excellent environmental enrichment. Otherwise, you will have damage to the furniture because of an anxious puppy.
Puppy lying on the floor inside the house.
Future mums dig to make their nests look perfect.
Puppies who are about to give birth to puppies can dig into the sofa to make their nests. They accommodate the puppies better, provide warmth, hide smells and muffle sounds, which is very important to prevent predator attacks.
Of course, nowadays there are no such predators, even more so in a home. Even so, instinct may speak louder and make the puppy dig the sofa.
If this is the case, try helping the pup to choose a more suitable nest. Provide a quiet spot and make a den for her and her babies. A darker, enclosed corner can solve this problem.
Psychological pregnancy
Psychological pregnancy is a hormonal disorder that happens in bitches around two months after they are in heat. They really think they are pregnant and prepare the nest to give birth. Besides, they get fat, they produce milk in the teats and they adopt toys or pieces of cloth as nestlings.
If your furry is showing these symptoms, seek veterinary care to help her and consider neutering her, as she has a greater chance of developing pyometra.
Pyometra is a serious uterine infection that affects uncastrated middle-aged or elderly female dogs. It can be late diagnosed, when there is no vaginal discharge. In general, treatment evolves to emergency castration surgery.
Demarcation of territory
The cushions of the dogs (the cushions of the paws) they possess glands that produce an unique smell for each animal called pheromones. The couch-digging dog may want to leave the scent there.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety happens when the pet is very attached to the guardian who needs to leave the house. A stressed dog barks desperately, digs through the door in an attempt to go after the guardian, howls, gnaws and destroys furniture.
Whatever way the dog expresses this feeling, he needs help from a professional specialized in canine behavior. Rarely, the guardian can reverse this problem alone.