Here’s why dogs scratch their beds before lying down

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For representational use [Image: Pugs time]
For representational use [Image: Pugs time]

New Delhi : It is universal if you see your dog digging a hole in your backyard but watching them attempt the same thing on their bed is confusing. If you see your dog furiously scratching at a bed, couch, or carpet, it doesn't necessarily mean they're trying to escape your home. 

According to The Dodo, the puzzling habit is likely a survival instinct left over from their wild ancestors.

Wolves also like to dig at a spot before lying down on it, but this behavior is more practical outdoors. Temperature regulation is essential in the wild. On a cold night, digging a hole helps wolves stay warm, and when it's hot outside, digging up a bed of cool soil from beneath the surface has the opposite effect. Even if wolves feel comfortable temperature-wise, digging up a place to sleep has additional benefits. A shallow hole gives them a place to hide, so they can sleep in peace.

This action isn't as useful when a dog's bed is made of fabric instead of dirt. Nonetheless, that doesn't stop domestic pets from indulging their animal instincts when they're preparing to fall asleep.

While another explanation could be, when a dog scratches at a cushion, they may simply be trying to prepare a more comfortable spot the same way you might fluff your pillows before bed.

As long as the behavior doesn't seem obsessive, there's no need to worry about your dog's state of mind when they're digging indoors.