Carpets are godsend during winter months, when the floor is cold against our bare feet. But if you have a dog, you’ll notice that they seem to like digging into the carpet as if they are determined to rip it to shreds.
Just What’s Up With That?
There are a few possibilities behind why they do this. Here’s a quick – if incomplete – list:
- There’s some food somewhere in the carpet.
- There’s an interesting scent in the carpet, and they want to ‘dig’ it up before rolling in it.
- Your dog is simply ‘digging’ it up before lying down, like they’re fluffing up their bedding.
- They’re excited or anxious about something, but can’t act on it. They redirect their energies to digging at the carpet instead.
- They’ve learned that this is a foolproof way to get your attention.
How Do I Stop This?
Nobody wants ruined carpets. Here’s what you can do:
- Distract them whenever they start tearing up the carpet.
- Redirect that energy to some other activity. Perhaps some play, or revising some obedience skills.
- Give your dog an outlet for that excess energy, such as taking them out for walks or giving them puzzle toys.
- Keep your carpet clean, so there’s nothing interesting in it.
Feature Image Source: Pixabay