A peaceful settlement to the long-running dispute between supporters of dogs and cats about which animal is the best pet in the world looks improbable. Dogs make devoted and loyal companions, which is the only thing that animal enthusiasts can vouch for with certainty.
However, dogs can lead the pack when it comes to misbehavior and causing chaos. The most bizarre habit of all is when they destroy their bedding. There are numerous occasions when you’ll see your cherished pet drag the blanket out of its bed or kennel and around the home.
Other times, you’ll notice that your dog is tearing at the blanket with his claws. However, as night falls and your dog feels the need to unwind, you might also notice that the same blanket—which all day long was subjected to heinous injustice—is now being caressed affectionately by your dog.
What draws your dog’s blanket out of the kennel repeatedly? Most of the time, dogs instinctively pull the blanket out of the kennel and play with it. Dogs had forebears who were trained to dig scavengers. Other explanations include territorial marking, parental instincts, burrowing, or a kennel phobia.
Many pet owners are perplexed by such strange occurrences. But there’s no need to speculate any longer. Learn more about the potential causes of your dog pulling the blankets out of its kennel as you continue reading.
Why do dogs drool all over their bedding?
You’ve probably observed your dog making and remaking their bed if you’ve ever owned one. Some individuals think of this as much of a nightly ritual as brushing your teeth or washing your face, while others upload recordings of their dogs on online discussion boards to see whether others think they’re strange. However, because of their own intrinsic urge to nest, dogs generally don’t care what you think of them.
Nesting can appear in a variety of forms, some of which we’ll discuss a bit later on in this article, but first we need to grasp what the term actually implies. When we consulted our on-staff veterinarian, Alison Lambert, she said:
Dogs frequently circle in their beds before deciding to lay down and take a nap. This behavior is assumed to be an innate trait of self-preservation from their progenitors in the wild. It is thought that the animals would have marked their territory by mowing down some grass to make it clear that they had already claimed it. Circling and leveling the grass would leave their scent behind to fend off others while also driving out any insects or snakes that could be lurking nearby. The place would become more comfortable just by removing stones and thorns and leveling the vegetation.
Additionally, before settling down, the process of circling offered wild predecessors an opportunity to look out for other pack members and to scan the area for potential threats. According to some experts, the wolves would eventually settle in a wind direction that would enable them to immediately detect any potential danger.
Circling and nesting before settling is a typical behavior, but if your dog is doing it a lot and appears to be having trouble finding a comfortable position, it may be that they are in pain. A vet checkup could be able to reveal potential causes like arthritis.
Okay. Dogs naturally circle their beds, which is helpful to know, but why do they do it? Well, many of the behaviors your dog may exhibit before settling down have a fairly similar basis. Now let’s look at a few of them.
However, if your dog is dragging their bed from room to room, it may also be because they’re trying to discover a change in temperature. Most of the time, dogs fuss with their beds and blankets because they’re nesting and using their ancestors’ natural inclination to locate the safest position possible. Given that dogs can sleep up to 14 hours per day, it makes sense that they would want to be comfortable before getting 40 zzzs, adjusting to a cooler or warmer position as needed.
Or, perhaps a more endearing explanation is that your dog wants to be near you. They are, after all, pack animals, and by bringing their beds into your bedroom, they are letting you know that they value you as a member of their pack as well as expressing you affection. Once more, this is a holdover from their ancestors who used to cuddle up for warmth and security, but it’s also old puppy behavior. Your dog may be trying to imitate the warmth of a litter by snuggling up next to you right now if you’ve ever seen a litter in action.
Why do dogs remove bedding contents?
Our animal companions will sometimes move on to chewing on things in your home when shredding stuffed toys isn’t enough for them! Before you realize it, dog beds, couch cushions, and pillows may have been ripped apart, with their stuffing all over the place. Furniture destruction can be a nightmare for the majority of pet owners.
One possible explanation for your dog’s behavior is unrestrained behavior or boredom. If all of your dog’s toys have been de-fluffed and they have learned that stuffed animals are acceptable to trash, they might not notice a significant difference between a stuffed animal and a throw pillow. When your dog is bored during the day and has developed a taste for trashing plush animals, your furnishings could be the next target.
Separation anxiety is a considerably more serious alternative cause. Think about your dog’s destructive behavior when it occurs and the other behaviors that go along with it. Do they regularly damage plush animals, or just when you’re not home? As you depart, do they whine or bark? Do they also ruin other things? If the issue appears to be related to your departure from the house, your dog may be damaging furniture and toys out of worry and separation anxiety.
Crate bedding for puppies
Don’t use blankets, towels, or sheets as bedding for your puppy’s box. She might chew on these objects, which could be messy and result in a potentially fatal internal obstruction that would require an urgent trip to the veterinarian.
My Recommendations For Puppy Crate Bedding
While she is still a puppy, it is preferable to choose materials that are sturdy and simple to clean.
Frisco Quilted Fleece Pet Bed & Crate Mat makes an excellent dog crate mat. Due to its resilience to chewers, this is frequently used in kennels and vet offices. Although it is composed of a material that is quite robust, your dog will find it nice to rest on.
Additionally, it has exceptional drainage qualities, is warm and insulating, non-allergenic, and ensures that your puppy will remain dry and comfortable in the case of an accident. Check out this assessment of the top dog home heaters and heated dog houses if you live in a chilly climate.
The K9 Ballistics TUFF Crate Pad is a different sort of tough crate bedding that is suggested for light to moderate chewers. It is made of incredibly durable Ripstop Ballistic Nylon and without Velcro or zippers.
Additionally, it is stain and odor resistant, easy to clean, and maintains its appearance and scent. Additionally, it contains a polyester-fill basis to keep your dog warm and comfortable. However, heavy chewers should avoid using it because it might still be damaged by these more tenacious teeth.
If your dog falls into the “aggressive chewer category,” a PVC bed that is exceptionally hardy, like these from Frisco, might be necessary. They are made to be cool and simple to clean, in addition to the great benefit of being chew proof.
Of course, you can switch to a different type of bedding once your puppy has shown she can be relied upon not to chew. But until that day arrives, I urge you to start by utilizing a sturdy crate pad like the ones above.
Although it may seem more expensive up front, it will undoubtedly be worthwhile in the long term considering how many beds you may end up having to replace owing to those tenacious tiny teeth.
Not to mention covering vet costs in the event that she ingests bedding fragments.
Alternative dog crate tray
The floors of dog crates have also been known to be destroyed by some of the more naughty puppies out there. A nice substitute for a plastic crate tray that your dog keeps gnawing or digging at is a metal one that is chew proof.
Toys for puppies
There are several benefits to letting your dog have toys in the crate, but just like with bedding, the best toys are those that are durable.
Soft, stuffed, or squeaky toys should never be left with a puppy as they will be chewed up and possibly destroyed as well as having parts ingested.
There are many “indestructible dog toys” available today that are acceptable for dogs in crates, but the traditional rubber Kong toy is the one I believe is ideal for use with a puppy.
These are not only incredibly durable but hollow as well, so you can stuff them with food to keep your dog busy as he tries to extract the delectable treat.
There are several advantages to giving your dog toys to play with in her crate:
- By giving her an alternative, she will be less inclined to gnaw on her bedding.
- It provides her with a hobby, preventing her from being bored.
- She’ll feel more at ease in the crate if there are familiar things around her.
- It makes her like being in the crate more.
- She will be less inclined to chew on your possessions when she is not in the crate since it helps her learn what is appropriate to chew on.
Why does my dog bite the blanket and knead it?
Human babies have been observed sucking on their thumbs, pacifiers, or cuddly blankets to help them relax when disturbed. By the time they are toddlers, they normally outgrow this tendency.
However, pups who rely on blankets for security and comfort typically don’t outgrow the behavior and continue to do so throughout their lives. Warm and cozy like their moms, blankets are.
Some dogs may even tenderly knead the blankets to assist get them close so they can lie on them. It also works with pillows, stuffed animals, or an article of clothing from its owner.
How can I prevent my dog from ruining the bedding in his crate?
Having a dog may be a constant source of happiness… and annoyance. It’s possible that a puppy who generally behaves properly has a bad habit. You may be at the end of your tether financially if your dog regularly ruins her bed with her gnawing. But it’s crucial to comprehend why dogs ruin their beds in order to stop this behavior.
Your Dog Might Be Chewing Her Bed Because…
- She Is Missing You: Although it may seem unbelievable to some, dogs and humans both feel separation anxiety. If your dog is stressed or anxious, she could chew when she’s left alone in an effort to calm those emotions. Puppies essentially use it as a coping mechanism. She might also whine and bark, pace around the room, or relieve herself inside while you’re away if her chewing is caused by worry.
- Is your dog on a tight diet? – She’s Hungry If so, she might be trying to discover another food source by gnawing on her bedding. This is particularly true if her bedding has an odour of food. A pup with pica, a disorder that causes canines to devour objects other than food in their environment, may just be unsure of what she should eat and what she should leave alone. A dog who is excessively hungry may seek out anything to augment their diet.
- She Has a Compulsion: A dog might occasionally lick, sucking, or chew on clothes. According to experts, this compulsive habit may have been brought on by premature weaning. If you’ve tried to divert your dog from exhibiting these behaviors without success, you might wish to speak with an animal behaviorist and enroll your dog in specialized training sessions to break this compulsion.
- One of the biggest causes of dogs chewing objects they shouldn’t is boredom. When a dog is lonely or bored, it will look for objects to chew on to occupy its attention. Even though some chewing is natural and instinctual, especially in the early stages, a puppy who destroys her bed for an extended period of time may not have access to other outlets or ways to spend the time.
How to Stop a Dog From Destroying Her Bedding
- Purchase Some Chew Toys or Treats: Your initial step should be to purchase some premium chew toys and treats (like dental chew sticks or bully sticks). Even when acting instinctively, a dog will still chew since it helps her maintain a strong jaw and set of teeth. She won’t be tempted to ruin her bed this way. Just remember to watch over your dog whenever she is given an edible chew.
- Reduce Her Negative Behavior by Distracting Her with an Activity. Take her outside for fun, take a stroll, or take her to the dog park if she starts chewing on her bed. Here, exercise and social interaction are essential since they’ll prevent boredom and ensure that her energy is used effectively.
- Consult a veterinarian: When owners spend money on toys, durable dog kennel beds, and distraction techniques but their dogs’ behavior doesn’t improve, it’s conceivable that an underlying medical issue is at play. To determine whether your dog may be feeling physical discomfort and turning to chewing as a coping mechanism, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
