Why Do Dogs Dig on Beds and Couches? Uncovering Canine Instincts

While your dog’s energetic couch digging may seem like a strange quirk, there may be more to it than meets the eye. Ancestral instincts lead dogs to dig on beds and couches for comfort, to mark territory, or to find a cool spot.

Dogs that were originally bred to dig may be more likely to do this. This behavior can be managed with the right approach, such as redirecting your dog or investing in a more durable bed.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at studies by animal behaviorists, ethologists, and veterinarians to explain the many reasons why your dog digs on your bed or couch.

We’ll explain how evolutionary instincts, breed-specific genetics, and environmental influences all play a role in this common dog behavior. Our in-depth investigation will also offer expert tips from dog trainers to help you deal with and possibly even redirect this instinctive behavior in a positive way.

The Evolutionary History of Dog Digging

The digging behavior that we see in our pet dogs today has a long history that can be traced back to their wild ancestors. Just as African wild dogs use dens to raise their young and protect themselves, the ancestral behavior of denning has been passed down to domestic dogs.

A study in the African Journal of Ecology even showed that African wild dogs prefer den sites that balance safety and resource availability, even if they look riskier to humans.

Meanwhile, other wild dogs like dingoes choose den sites based on the availability of resources and safe, high locations, according to a study posted on ResearchGate. These studies show that the instincts that lead dogs to seek out and create comfortable, safe spaces are still alive and well, even if they’ve been adapted to a modern setting.

While the difference between the African savanna and a cozy home couldn’t be more stark, the urge to dig and burrow into soft surfaces is a direct result of these ancestral denning instincts. It’s a sign of the adaptability of dogs’ instincts, which have changed but still play a big role in their lives in the human world.

By learning about these instincts, we can see the way that genetics and environment have come together to influence the way that dogs behave.

Finding the Dog Digging Gene: Breeds and Behaviors

Some breeds are more likely to dig due to their genetics and the roles they were originally bred for. Terriers are the most well-known for their digging abilities. According to Whole Dog Journal, terriers like Jack Russell Terriers and Dachshunds were bred to hunt vermin and often needed to dig to get to their prey in their burrows and dens.

This instinct, which was helpful in their original roles, can be a problem when it comes to their behavior in a home.

Breeders have also had a hand in perpetuating or minimizing these instincts through selective breeding. As Betterpet explains, even though dogs today are far removed from the fields and forests where they needed to dig, the genetic remnants of their ancestors’ digging are still there. The genetic tendency to dig doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it’s part of the breed’s genetics.

This is why it’s so important for dog owners to understand these breed-specific traits. If you know that your dog’s desire to dig through your blankets is a result of their breeding, you can take a more compassionate and individualized approach to managing their natural instincts—something that Dr. Dwight Alleyne, DVM, emphasizes and that’s also a focus of training tools like the Zigzag puppy training app.

Understanding the Environmental Triggers of Dog Digging

The context of a dog’s environment plays a major role in their behavior, and this is especially true when it comes to digging. One of the most important environmental factors is temperature regulation—dogs dig to find a cooler or warmer place to sleep, a behavior that can be traced back to their wild ancestors, according to the Best Friends Animal Society.

Dogs also dig into their beds or the couch to create the perfect temperature for sleeping, a way of adapting the ancestral behavior to make sure they’re comfortable in different climates.

In addition to temperature control, dogs also dig to create sleeping areas, which is part of their natural instinct to create safe spaces. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the lack of mental and physical stimulation can exacerbate this behavior. If dogs don’t have enough stimulating activities or if they’re bored, they may dig in their environment to entertain themselves or work off excess energy.

In addition, dogs may dig in their environment in response to the presence of people or other animals, perhaps as a way to interact with them or mark their territory.

Dogs’ decisions to dig in certain places, such as their bed or the couch, are often the result of a combination of environmental and situational triggers, so dog owners should take both their physical environment and their daily routines into account when trying to manage these behaviors.

Emotional Reasons for Digging

Dogs may dig in their beds and on the couch for emotional and psychological reasons, especially when they are trying to feel safe or are responding to stress. One of the most obvious examples is separation anxiety, which, as the American Kennel Club explains, can lead to stress-related behaviors like digging when a dog is alone.

Other life changes, like moving or a change in family structure, can also lead to stress that results in digging.

In a study published in PMC, Dr. Paul D McGreevy explains that a dog’s attachment to its human family can have a major impact on its behavior. Dogs form attachment bonds that are similar to human caregiver-infant relationships, and this can lead to behaviors that are designed to help the dog maintain closeness and comfort with its owner.

This means that understanding a dog’s emotional attachments is important when it comes to redirecting and managing their digging behavior. Understanding and addressing a dog’s emotional reasons for digging is important when it comes to coming up with a plan to stop this behavior.

By building a relationship that is safe and positive, pet parents can help to reduce the stress that leads to unwanted digging, which will ultimately improve the lives of their dogs.

How to Create a Dig-Free Space

If you want to keep your dog from digging on your furniture, the first step is to recognize that this is a natural behavior and then work to redirect it. According to the company Diggs, it’s hard to train dogs not to dig at all because it is a natural behavior, but pet parents can train their dogs to dig in more appropriate places, like outdoor sandboxes or special digging zones.

One way to do this is to buy dog beds and furniture that are built to last. For example, Animals Matter recommends luxury dog beds that are designed to meet a dog’s natural instincts and provide a sense of comfort and security that will discourage digging. Meanwhile, Casper notes that their orthopedic and memory foam dog beds with scratch-resistant covers are made to withstand wear and tear from digging.

Another way to prevent excessive digging is to make sure your dog is well-exercised and has a stimulating environment. Regular exercise and mental stimulation can help reduce the urge to dig by giving dogs an outlet for their energy.

If these things don’t work and your dog’s digging becomes problematic or destructive, it’s important to seek professional help. A vet can help determine if there’s a medical cause for the behavior, while a dog behaviorist can help you work with your pet to address the issue.

By taking these steps, you can create a home that meets your dog’s needs and keeps your furniture safe.

Going Beneath the Surface: Understanding the Roots of Dog Digging

In delving into the roots of why dogs dig on furniture, it’s evident that the behavior is a combination of evolutionary, breed-specific, environmental, and emotional factors. Instincts from wild ancestors, genetics from certain breeds, the environment a dog lives in, and its emotional state all play a role in why dogs dig.

To manage this behavior effectively, pet parents need to know their dog’s individual needs and triggers. With the right outlets and training, pet parents can direct their dog’s digging into more appropriate activities, which will lead to a more harmonious relationship. Moreover, considering a dog’s emotional state reflects the strong bond between people and dogs.

In summary, by understanding and addressing the many factors that contribute to digging, we can strengthen the human-dog bond. It’s not just about saving our furniture, but also about building an understanding that enhances our relationships with our animal companions.