Why does my dog scratch the pillows?

Question

My dog is 5 months old, and she sleeps in bed with us. She's our first pup. Sometimes she will randomly start scratching our pillows, and she seems to enjoy it. She can even do it for long periods of time if we don't stop her. It doesn't annoy us, but is she giving us some sort of 'signal' or a 'sign' of sorts? Thank you.

Answer 1

Sounds like she's digging you a den!

Excessive digging (which it sounds like it is) is a sign of insufficient exercise-- which results in stress -- which is relieved by the endorphins released by the digging.

This is not normal behavior.

Provide more exercise on a daily basis. At 5 months, this is going to mean more short bursts of play & walkies. (No weighted backpacks, treadmills, running with bike, etc, except for a short training session on what it is --followed, of course, by yummy treats. You'll want to use those things later in her life!)

Structure (predictability of routine) tends to minimize stress, but as she is still in her socialization period, we want her to know it's ok when things aren't structured, too.

PLEASE, please, please invest whatever is necessary to get the dog in a puppy class. I know she's probably pretty good now, but most dogs I saw in class (I trained professionally) were already fairly serious problem dogs by the time their owners realized it -- meaning group classes won't help that much, and they really needed private (EXPENSIVE) training.

Answer 2

My Chihuahua scratches his/a pillow while he desires to get under it. He scratches the settee, mattress, his mattress, something while he desires to curve up and sleep coated. He has a small blanket and might get under it himself. whether, if he has walked removed from his mattress along with his blanket draped in the time of his back, it could finally end up everywhere it falls. he's not into bringing it back. he's gratefull while i flow and get it and cover him up. He makes some circles under the blanket and flops down. safeguard and happy. that is my adventure.

Answer 3

I was told because both my dogs do this on blankets that in the olden days when dogs were wild they would scratch around to make sure no bugs were around also its kind of like us fluffing our pillows

Answer 4

I haven't seen one yet that wouldn't scratch the pillows! sometimes they do this and walk in circles at the same time. that usually means they're getting their spot ready to lay down and go to sleep in.
if your puppy is just scratching, I would tend to think she's being playful and showing you that she's interested in playing and would like you to play too! and puppies and pillows just go hand in hand.
Best Wishes

Answer 5

She's probably just enjoying herself and getting her urge to dig out, or making the pillow more comfortable for herself.

Answer 6

usually dogs dig in their pillows or beds to get comfortable your pup is probably just trying to get comfortable on a nice soft pillow...my dog digs in her kennal

Answer 7

Shes probably trying to make a den of some sort...hehe Silly puppies

Answer 8

it depends on what breed of dog she is. maybe she's a dog bred for digging. my dog is a miniature dachshund, and she was bred to dig badgers out of their holes. my dog does this in the bed that we got her. she's just trying to make her sleeping place more at home. all dogs love digging. believe me, its absolutely normal that she's digging. =-)

Answer 9

Well she is starting to get in her teeth and it would be in your's and hers best intrest if you got her some chew toys or some dog bones that she can chew on.