As a pet owner, you may often find your dog digging on the bed or couch, a behavior that can be confusing or even frustrating, especially when it damages sheets and couch covers.

However, this is an instinctive behavior in dogs. Understanding why they do this can help you better care for them and strengthen the emotional bond between you and your pet. This article will explore the main reasons why dogs dig on beds and couches, aiming to provide answers to this common behavioral puzzle.

It’s Your Dog’s Instinct

Dogs’ ancestors were wild animals that would dig into the ground to create a safe and comfortable resting place in the wild. This behavior helped them maintain body heat, avoid predators, and even store food. 

Even though today’s domestic dogs no longer face these survival challenges, this instinct is still deeply embedded in their genes. Therefore, when your dog digs on the bed or couch, they may be reenacting this ancient nesting behavior, trying to create a secure and cozy “den” for themselves. This behavior may become more pronounced in certain situations, such as sudden changes in weather or when the dog feels uneasy.

Marking Their Territory

Dogs have an innate habit of marking their territory with scent. Their paws and skin secrete unique scents, and digging helps them leave these scents on specific spots to confirm that this area belongs to them. For dogs, this behavior becomes particularly strong in unfamiliar environments or when faced with new furniture. Just like when you walk your dog and they repeatedly sniff around before deciding where to relieve themselves, this is not just about finding a suitable spot but also ensuring their scent is perceived in that area, thus marking their territory.

Seeking Comfort

Dogs are highly emotional animals with a strong dependence on their environment and their owners. When they feel stressed, low, or unwell, they often dig to seek comfort. Beds and couches are not only soft resting places but also carry the scent of their owners, which can greatly ease their anxiety. In such cases, digging may be a form of self-regulation, helping them find a more comfortable position to alleviate inner unease. For example, when the owner is away for a long time, the dog may dig on the owner’s bed or couch to find more of the owner’s scent, gaining psychological comfort.

Nesting Behavior

Nesting behavior is an innate instinct, especially in female dogs. During their heat cycle or false pregnancy, this instinct can become particularly strong, prompting them to dig on beds or couches to simulate building a nest. 

Even without upcoming puppies, this behavior is still evident. They may repeatedly dig and arrange the sheets or blankets, trying to create a warm and safe environment for “future puppies.” This behavior is not limited to female dogs; in some cases, male dogs may also display similar nesting behaviors, especially when they feel anxious or need to find a sense of security. Understanding this behavior can help owners show more care and empathy toward their pets, especially during their heat cycles or emotional fluctuations.

There Might Be Some Leftover Food

Dogs are born with instincts to seek, store, and protect food. This instinct can be traced back to their wild ancestors, who didn’t always have easy access to food, so they learned to bury food for later. When your dog digs on the bed or couch, they might be trying to find those “hidden” foods, even if they don’t exist. 

The scent of food that lingers in the seams of mattresses or couches, even the tiniest crumbs you can’t notice, can trigger the dog’s digging urge. If you’ve ever eaten on the couch, your dog might remember and hope to find those “lost treats” by digging. This behavior serves as a reminder to keep the home clean and avoid leaving food residues that could trigger the dog’s instinctive reactions.

Emotional Distress

Dogs are highly social animals with deep emotional bonds with their owners. Many dogs experience anxiety when left alone, especially when the owner leaves the house, and this anxiety can become more severe. To alleviate these feelings, they might dig on the owner’s bed or couch, trying to find comfort through this behavior. 

This digging is not just about seeking a comfortable place but also about smelling the owner’s scent, which helps to ease their loneliness. Separation anxiety is particularly evident in some breeds, and understanding the emotional drivers behind this behavior can help owners take measures, such as providing more mental stimulation or training to alleviate their dog’s anxiety.

Sometimes, Dogs Just Want to Get Comfortable

Sometimes, there’s no particular reason for a dog’s digging behavior—they’re simply trying to adjust the blankets or pillows on the bed to find the most comfortable position to lie down. Just like humans who might toss and turn before finding the perfect sleeping position, dogs will dig to adjust their “bedding” to find an ideal resting spot. This behavior typically manifests as light digging or pawing, rather than intense or anxious actions. 

Once they find a satisfactory spot, they may quickly fall asleep, indicating that they are simply pursuing comfort rather than responding to other complex motivations. This behavior is a natural part of a dog’s daily life and is crucial for them to stay happy and relaxed.

What You Can Do to Stop Your Dog from Digging

Keep Them Away from Furniture

Using physical barriers like pet gates or anti-slip mats, you can confine your dog to designated areas, limiting their access to beds or couches. By providing alternatives such as a comfortable dog bed or a designated resting area, you can encourage your dog to rest in these spots instead of digging on human furniture.

Training

Positive reinforcement and command training are effective methods. Reward and praise your dog when they choose the appropriate resting spot. Additionally, teach them commands like "no digging" or "get down" so you can promptly stop the behavior when they start digging on the bed or couch.

Trim Your Dog's Nails Appropriately

Regularly trimming your dog's nails can not only reduce their digging behavior but also prevent further damage to your furniture. Make sure your dog's paws are healthy, without cracks or injuries, so they are less likely to dig to alleviate discomfort.

Buy New Pet Supplies

One of the most effective ways to prevent your dog from digging into furniture is to provide them with more attractive and comfortable alternatives. Purchasing a new, high-quality dog bed can significantly improve your dog's behavior and overall well-being.

When choosing a dog bed, durability is key. Dogs can be rough with their belongings, so it's important to choose a bed made from high-quality, tear-resistant materials. A bed with a non-slip bottom is also ideal as it will stay in place, preventing your dog from pushing it around and reducing the likelihood of them finding another spot, like the couch, to rest.

Ownkoti offers a variety of pet supplies to meet every dog owner's needs, including waterproof litter mats, pet pads, and woven cat beds.

Address Your Dog's Emotional Issues

If your dog is digging due to anxiety, especially separation anxiety, try to alleviate their emotions by increasing daily activities, giving them more attention, and providing comfort. Ensuring your dog’s emotional needs and living environment are met will make them feel more comfortable and secure.

Other Potential Solutions

Using protective sprays can effectively reduce your dog's digging on furniture. Additionally, providing digging toys allows your dog to satisfy their digging instincts through play.

Conclusion

Choosing a comfortable and supportive dog bed gives your dog a dedicated resting space and prevents them from damaging your furniture. Regularly updating and adding pet supplies like toys, food bowls, and cleaning products not only meets your pet's daily needs but also enhances their happiness.

Moreover, spending time interacting with your pet and attending to their emotional needs, especially when they face anxiety or loneliness, is crucial. A happy pet family relies not only on material satisfaction but also on the love and companionship of the owner.

Ownkoti also offers pet supplies and waterproof, pet-hair-resistant couch covers for pet families. Feel free to explore our selections anytime if you’re in need!

Related read: How to remove dog smell from your couch.