I have a 6month old chow and lately he has been scratching the carpet before he lays down i have never seen a dog do this only cats is this normal.
Why does my dog scratch the carpet before he lays down.
There is a general consensus among dog behaviorists that.
In cool areas dogs may scratch the floor to create a cozy warm den to curl up in.
This way the dog would form a comfortable surface for resting and would make a nice spot to conceal from other animals.
As is the case with most dog behavior analysis there are varied opinions on the subject from a multitude of sources and experts.
Scratching and digging into bedding a sofa cushion or a chair before lying down is just one of those seemingly oddball things that dogs do.
One of the main reasons for a dog scratching the floor at night has to do with nesting.
Sometimes it may be as simple as him scratching to dig up that single crumb of food that fell in between the carpet threads.
Another funny yet adorable behavior is circling round and round before settling themselves down.
What is the best type of flooring for pets learning center source.
Back in the day dogs would do this in the wild to create themselves a small den to curl up into.
If your pup is scratching up a storm he may be hardwired to go through the motions of transforming his soft bed into a nest or den before he feels truly safe.
These actions are of course futile when done today especially on a flat surface such as a modern dog bed and are therefore characterized as vestigial.
Some dogs scratch the floor before lying down to enhance the comfort of their sleeping area.
Scratching the floor before lying down also helps dogs find the most comfortable position in which to rest.
Other times it may be an interesting smell that compels your dog to dig at a particular location before he rolls in it much as he would do outside in the dirt.
Even if you do provide a bed outside some dogs might prefer to dig their own holes in which to sleep according to the aspca.
If your dog sleeps outside and has no bed he might dig and scratch in his sleeping area in an attempt to get warmer or cooler depending on the weather.
This is the most likely purpose when the dog then lies down in the specific spot it was scratching dogs dig holes for protection from extreme heat and cold and other predators.
Why does my dog scratch the carpet before he lays down.
For instance have you ever noticed scruffy scratching your floors before laying down for a nap or at bedtime.
If so this peculiar act may have you scratching your own head wondering why.
There may be simple explanations as to why some dogs may engage in this behavior.
