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Watching your dog scratch the rug is frustrating while leaving you wondering why they are doing it.
Rug scratching is not new to dogs, it goes back a long way and is similar to digging and chewing things.
Before you know how to stop them from scratching your carpet, you should first understand what drives them to do so.
Today on Canine Weekly, you’ll find out why dogs scratch rugs, how to stop your dog from scratching again, and all about it and tips.
Let’s start unraveling the mystery.
Why is my dog scratching the rug?
There may be a number of reasons why your dog may be scratching your rug. While it might seem sudden or random, trust me, it’s not. Dogs do this with an excuse, and maybe a reason.
It could be genetic, sometimes boredom or any health issue, or a combination of these issues.
Let’s take a closer look at the possible reasons why your dog may be scratching the rug.
1. Seeking Attention
From a dog’s perspective, the most common thing you do when you want attention is to scratch the rug or start chewing on the furniture.
Who doesn’t want attention? When dogs need attention, they simply act like toddlers. They do things they shouldn’t.
If you call them or pet them as soon as they start scratching the rug, you may just be reinforcing the behavior.
The dog may have deciphered the trick and will keep repeating it. The next time your dog scratches your rug, ignore them and walk away; that way, the dog may understand that he won’t be paying attention.
2. Instinct
The instinct of some dogs is to dig, and since they were originally bred for that purpose, this trait has stuck with them.
Dogs were bred to hunt down mice and other small animals that used to live in small holes and hard-to-reach places, and their hunting method was burrowing.
Since they haven’t encountered any badgers around, they tend to cling to parts of your carpet to do their job, and there’s nothing you can do about it.
But it’s always frustrating to see that, isn’t it?
3. Anxiety
Possibly one of the most common reasons dogs scratch rugs is anxiety.several reasons lead to dog anxiety.
Some causes of your dog’s anxiety are easy to identify. Loud noises outside, such as storms, thunder, or even fireworks, can create anxiety in your dog and make them nervous.
When they’re nervous, they’ll try to relieve the stress by scratching at the rug or digging at the floor.
Another cause of anxiety is separation or leaving your dog alone for long periods of time, making him stressed and scared.
They might scratch the doorway carpet or start scratching the floor around you when you’re out to work or leave the room. This is separation anxiety.
4. Long nails
A simple answer to why your dog is scratching your rug is that their growing nails make them uncomfortable.
They scratch their claws because they think they can file them off because the long nails cause them great pain.
In addition to damaging floors, carpets, and furniture, long nails can grow under the skin, which can damage a dog’s paws, causing great pain and suffering.
Some dogs are happy to have their nails trimmed and will sit on their lap with a smile on their face.On the other hand, some dogs have very sensitive skin and when you cut nails.
For dogs with sensitive skin, either take them to a groomer who will have their coat trimmed and groomed professionally, or to a veterinarian who will provide a sedative and then trim and groom when they feel less pain.
5. Excess energy
dogs are sometimes the way too energeticwhich may be one of the reasons why they scratch the carpet.
In order to generate excess energy, they will scratch the rug until they get tired. It’s important to give your dog enough exercise and play because the physical stimulation they need is met.
They sometimes scratch the rug excitedly; if that’s the case, you may have to change their minds.
If they see a bird in the yard or hear other dogs barking outside, they will scratch the rug because there is nothing they can do, if this happens, calm the dog down and take his thoughts elsewhere.
6. Temperature control
Some dog breeds don’t like hot weather, especially those that are furry or cuddly furred.
When they are hot, their instinct is to dig, as when they were first bred, they are used to digging into the soil to get a cooler surface on which to rest.
If they’re digging or scraping the carpet, it’s probably because they’re looking for a cool place to regulate their body temperature and rest. Dogs like huskies, Norwegian deerhounds, and sled dogs are known to do this.
Providing fresh and cold water is important during the hot summer months because it can also save a dog from many health and behavioral problems.
How do you get your dog to stop?
It is important to understand the “why” of a problem before taking the “how” to eliminate it. The topics above cover just about every reason why dogs scratch rugs.
Knowing why your dog is scratching the rug won’t relieve frustration and stress until the root cause is addressed.
Before your carpet is completely damaged and your dog gets used to destroying it, it’s time to take action to fix the problem. Follow the steps below for a working solution.
1. Give your dog some work.
If your dog is bored and scratching the rug, they need your attention.The best solution is Give them a task or a game to keep them engaged.
Rescue games are good for your dog’s physical and mental health; fetching a ball or finding a toy similar to these games will help them overcome boredom.
If they’re doing something, they won’t ask for your attention, and the rug scratching will eventually stop.
2. Clean the area
Start the day by cleaning areas where your dog roams, especially carpeted areas. Dust, vacuum or mop all you want, but it’s important to clean the area on a daily basis.
It’s no secret that dogs have powerful noses; if they smell some food or some of their favorite treats in there, they’ll dig a hole.
If there’s even the slightest odor in the fibers of your carpet, that’s your dog on a mission.
Keeping your home clean is healthy for both dogs and people.
3. Add practice
One way to calm them down at the end of the day is to direct their energies to the right places. Just increase the amount of exercise.
Add walking or running time as needed; this will provide the dog with all the physical and mental stimulation their growth and health needs.
Bring toys for better participation. Toys that help dogs develop mentally should be introduced in the early stages of the dog.
The more you engage your dog; the better; toys made of rubber or more bouncy are good for them because they are strong and durable.
All dogs have different interests when it comes to exercise; identify it and it will make your job easier.
4. Provide better bedding for your dog.
Scratching the rug could be because your dog is looking for a better, more comfortable place to rest.
If they don’t see something upholstered or spongy, they’re going for rugs. They don’t care if the rug is the perfect spot; they’ll keep trying.
This problem is the easiest to fix, providing them with comfortable bedding will do the trick. Get some cushions and sheets for them to make a den; it will keep everyone happy.
5. Needs touch-ups
Sometimes a little grooming is all it takes to stop a dog from scratching the rug. Trimming nails is important because it can cause pain and discomfort for dogs.
It’s easy to spot; if they’re rattling as they walk, or scratching at furniture or rugs with their claws, it’s time to trim their nails.
Some dogs love this grooming and will happily sit on their laps with their nails trimmed, others won’t. Try a professional groomer and their expertise for painless and effective grooming for dogs with sensitive skin.
Some dogs scratch the rug when they feel hot; they try to regulate the temperature by scratching, thinking it might dig in and find cool soil or a surface for them to rest on.
Frequent bathing is the best way to keep them cool on hot summer days. Always keep cool, fresh water in their ration.
6. Let them calm down
As mentioned earlier, anxiety can be very damaging and disturbing for your dog, and it can affect you even more.
While treating anxiety in dogs takes time, you must be persistent and supportive to get them out of anxiety. Be sure to talk to them and pet them when noise or lights make them anxious.
Thunderstorms are one such thing that can make a dog’s behavior abrupt, and some owners say a thunderstorm jacket helps with that anxiety.
Lights and firecrackers often scare them, and sometimes all they need is to provide them with space and make them feel loved.
Dogs get tense and anxious when left alone for long periods of time, avoid this and try socializing them to improve their temperament and eliminate fear and separation anxiety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in most cases, dogs scratch carpet because their nails have grown too large for them to be comfortable. Try trimming or filing their nails to see a difference.
Professional grooming services can do it too; you can choose accordingly.
You must carefully observe your dog’s behavior to understand why they are scratching the rug. There could be a variety of reasons why they do this. It could be anxiety, long nails, excess energy, or something else.
Yes, training your dog will definitely help stop them from scratching the rug. They will learn to obey your commands, and when they start scratching the rug, one command from you will stop them from doing so.
in conclusion
The point of this article is that dogs are a very important and common topic in the pet house. Trying to understand the reasons behind your dog’s behavior will help you understand what they need or what they are communicating. Many people search for a solution and this article provides all possible answers.
Let us know how helpful it is at stopping your dog from scratching the rug.
Hi, I’m Walter,
I live in Oklahoma City, USA and have extensive dog care and grooming expertise. Additionally, I offer dog training tips and tricks through my blog at Canine Weekly. I hold a Diploma in Canine Behavior and Training and have previously worked as a Dog Trainer at ROC Animal Training and Behavior and OKC Dog Training Tip Top K9.
In addition to writing for Canine Weekly, I also share my opinions on Twitter and Linkedin.
