Have you noticed that your pooch scooches or scratches around in blankets or clothes? It may seem odd and you wonder why they are doing this (especially when its on newly washed clothes or towels). Show
Digging, scratching, and moving their bedding around is a common behaviour among dogs but why is your dog is moving his or her blankets around so much? And is it something you should be worried about? Where does this behaviour start?A dog’s natural instinct plays a large role in many of their behaviors. Some experts feel this is the case when it comes to your pup moving and scratching at his or her blankets. One such instinct comes from your pup’s wild ancestor’s habit of scratching at piles of leaves, dirt, or pine needles. The act of moving the materials around is to create a comfortable mound of bedding. By moving his or her blankets around, your pup may actually be trying to create a snug nest in which to sleep. Another behavior you may have noticed with your pup is them acting territorial. By scratching at and moving their blankets, they may actually be marking his or her territory. When a dog scratches at something there is a distinct scent left behind. This is due to a special gland that is located on dog’s paws and in between their toes. Claiming territory is very common among both male and female dogs alike. If you have a female dog, the act of moving blankets around could also be a maternal instinct. Female dogs do what is known as ‘nesting’ in order to get ready for new puppies. Your expectant mother may carry her blankets, dig at them over and over, and even drag them to another location. This is all in preparation for her new babies’ anticipated arrival and making sure there is somewhere nice and comfy to give birth. Should you encourage it?You always want to make sure your pooch has a safe and comfy place to sleep. As long as there is nothing medical related causing issues letting them drag, scratch, or tunnel his or her blankets shouldn’t be a concern. If you do decide to try and lessen the behavior, there are a few things you may consider. One is to place a large, heavy blanket on top as the cover of your pup’s bedding. The heavier blanket on top may deter your dog from wanting to drag it around, especially for the smaller breed dogs. Adding more blankets may also be a solution. This creates a softer texture for your pooch to lay their precious little head when sleeping. If comfort is the issue, a thicker place to sleep could help Fido be able to relax more quickly without all of the extra effort. Being able to snuggle down into the cozy nest you have created may just satisfy their instinctual need for a den-type area. The same holds true for your dog’s sleeping area. It may be that your pooch is just not happy with where you have put the dog bed. Moving their bed to another location could be a simple solution to the blanket moving and dragging.
There’s a long-standing clash between cat lovers and dog lovers about the one that ranks as the world’s best pet, but a peaceful resolution to the argument seems unlikely. The only thing that animal lovers will attest to without a reasonable doubt is that dogs make faithful and loyal companions. But when it comes to bad behavior, dogs can take the lead when it comes to wreaking havoc. And the most inexplicable behavior of all is to ruin their bedding. Now there are many times when you will witness your beloved pet pull the blanket out of its kennel or bed and drag it all around the house. In other situations, you’ll see that your dog is scratching and trying to rip the blanket to pieces. Yet, when night approaches and your dog feels the urge to settle down, you may also find that the same blanket that has been a victim of gross injustice throughout the day is now being cuddled lovingly again by your dog. Why does your dog keep pulling its blanket out of the kennel? In most cases, dogs pull the blanket out of the kennel and play with it as they are urged by instinct. Dogs have ancestors that were scavengers and trained to dig. Other reasons include marking territory, maternal instincts, burrowing, or a fear of the kennel. Many pet parents are puzzled over such bizarre phenomena. But there is no need to wonder anymore. Read on to find out about the various reasons why your pooch may pull out the blankets from its kennel. Why Do Dogs Pull and Tug at Their Blankets?Moving around the blanket, digging, and scratching are all common canine behaviors. But, it isn’t a problematic behavior. There are several reasons for your dog to pull at its blanket. 1. Wild InstinctYour domestic pup today comes from a proud line of ancient wolves. And the habit to scratch, whether it be at a pile of leaves or mound of pine needles, is an inherited trait from their wolf ancestors. So you will find your fur baby moving and scratching at its blanket before sleeping to create a snug nest in which to sleep. 2. Marking TerritoryIt is standard behavior in canines to mark their territory, whether they be a male or female. So when your dog is rubbing and scratching their blanket, they are marking their blanket as their property with their scent. Dogs have glands in their paws that secrete a unique scent. The odor is an indication of ownership. This means you may see your dog rubbing their paw not just on their blanket but your bedding as well. 3. Maternal InstinctsFemale dogs practice ‘nesting’ before and after giving birth. That is to say that your pregnant doggo is going to dig and rub at her blanket and even carry it around to several locations before finally settling down. So do not be surprised to see your fluff ball go to great lengths to make a comfortable mound of bedding before her little ones arrive. 4. Instinctual BurrowingSmaller breeds of dogs rub and scratch at their blanket as they urge to create ‘tunnels.’ Terriers and other small breeds of dogs were bred for the distinct purpose of flushing out small game from their hiding spots during a hunt. So it is the same behavior that your fur baby replicates. Yet burrowing isn’t uncommon in larger breeds of dogs either. You see, large dog breeds often burrow to create a safe spot to sleep and to stay warm. 5. Fear of the KennelIf your pup hates being cooped up in a kennel all night and you leave it open during the day, your dog may be pulling their blanket out so that they can enjoy a comfy place to sleep outside of their kennel. Dog beds and blankets absorb the scent of your dog and become a familiar part of their territory. So if your dog is afraid of their kennel, they will likely take all of their favorite belongings out so they can enjoy them in peace. It may be helpful to re-train your dog or implement new strategies to show your dog that their kennel is a safe place, like leaving treats inside or covering it at night. However, if your dog is showing signs of anxiety, it’s best to speak to your vet. Related QuestionsIt may not be a wonder for you anymore when you witness your dog dragging their blanket out of their kennel and across the floor. But there are many other queries that first-time pet parents have when it comes to their beloved pets. Read on to find out more about some of your dog’s quirky habits. Why Does My Dog Bring Me Its Blanket?Your pup may suffer from separation anxiety when you leave them at home for long work hours. A security blanket with your scent on it may serve as a way to help them deal with being apart from you. It’s also a great idea to hire a dog walker to come spend some time with your pup and let them expel some anxious energy in the middle of the day. Your dog may also bring their blanket to you to provide you with relief when you’re stressed because they know their blanket is a comfort to them. How sweet is that? On the flip side, your dog may also bring you their blanket every time you head out the door as the covering provides your dog with a sense of security and familiarity, which helps them deal better in unknown situations or places. Why Is My Dog Chewing on Their Blanket?Dogs chew on everything, as that is how your pup experiences the world. So, it’s little wonder that you will find your dog chewing on its blanket. Younger dogs experience teething, and your dog may chew on its blanket for some relief from pain in its gums. On the other hand, chewing on its blanket is also marking it as a prized possession. Up Next: Why Does My Dog Lick My Bedsheets? Skip to content
You are definitely your dog's best friend, but a blanket is likely a close second. Whether wrapped in a warm bundle or pridefully parading their favorite fabric around the house, dogs clearly love blankets and the reason why is more science than softness. A puppy’s fondness for their cuddly companion is founded in both psychological and physiological factors. We will further explore the origins below and why it is a healthy practice to encourage #BlanketBehavior. Dogs are ‘Maternal Den’ AnimalsThe ancestors of today’s domesticated canines were born and raised in a maternal den, a small and cozy dwelling providing protection from the dangers of the wild. Since newborn puppies are born deaf, blind, and immobile; mothers would create dens to protect their young against outside elements and potential predators. The den would serve as a safe retreat for the first 10-12 weeks of the litter’s life, until the pups graduated to familiar ‘meeting’ spots, where they could rendezvous with their four-legged friends.1 Fast forward 20,000 years later, dogs have become genetically predisposed to seek comfort in soft and familiar surroundings. This behavior can be noted in many dogs' attachment to their bed or tendency to retreat into their crate when anxious. Companion blankets can also offer this environment, reducing pet anxiety by providing a portable sense of familiarity and safety for a pup on the prowl. Serving as a ‘security blanket’, companion blankets can soothe the pooch in stressful situations. A Keen Sense of Smell for FamiliaritySmell is believed to be a dog's most powerful and important sense. Canines possess up to 300,000,000 olfactory receptors, compared to the 3,000,000 in our noses. Additionally, the part of your best friend’s brain dedicated to evaluating smell is 40 times greater than yours!2 These factors have led scientists to believe that a dog’s sense of smell may be 100,000 times more acute.3 For instance, we might notice if our morning cup of coffee has an extra teaspoon of sugar added to it; however, a dog could detect the same amount of sugar in an Olympic sized swimming pool!4 The superiority of the snout allows dogs to detect and react to seemingly unnoticeable scents and studies have further shown that canines illicit positive physiological responses when they identify familiar smells. When a dog is presented with a variety of scents, the pleasure center in their brain responds most strongly to the scents of their owner and other familiar dogs.5 This research suggests that the familiar smell of a dog's blanket can reduce anxiety and evoke a positive emotional response. Furthermore, seasoning the blanket with the scent of a puppy's mother or the familiar smell of an owner can put your pooch at ease in stressful situations. How to Encourage #BlanketBehaviorWe are now on the same page, a blanket can and should be a dog's other best friend and can evoke happiness or serve as a means of comfort in stressful situations. So how can we use companion blankets to improve the lives of our loved ones? Follow the steps below:
ConclusionCompanion blankets offer a safe environment, reducing pet anxiety by providing a portable sense of warmth and safety for pups on the prowl. Ensure you have a ‘seasoned’ blanket on hand for stressful situations. Need a new blanket now? Click here to shop our companion blankets made from safe materials. Sources
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