Surely you have observed your dog scratching the ground in different situations and you have wondered what leads him to have that behavior in each of them. As you know, the dog language is complex and, therefore, dogs always have a good reason that justifies everything they do. Some of them are positive, while others require our attention because they indicate that our furry companion is experiencing a problem that needs to be treated immediately.
To help you identify the cause that explains why dogs scratch the floor or floor, on our site we detail the most common, keep reading!
Understanding canine behavior
Before delving into the most common causes that explain why dogs scratch the ground or floor, it is essential to highlight the importance of understanding our furry companion. In this way, we must pay attention to the context in which he carries out this activity, at what time he does it, since here lies the key to finding the answer What are we searching for.
Dogs are governed by a language completely different from ours, in which smells take a leading role to identify practically everything: their home, other dogs, us… In this way, it is not surprising that certain behaviors are carried out following their instinct and, therefore, we should not act without any prior knowledge. Sometimes, unconsciously, by stopping the animal we are generating a state of stress, anxiety and frustration in it, and we even make it relate something that is positive for it with a negative stimulus. Thus, if every time you see your dog scratching the floor you tend to tell him not to do it, first investigate the reason that leads him to do so and, then, act to solve the problem, if there is one.
Does the dog scratch the bed or the floor of the sleeping area?
Most, if not all, dogs scratch the bed or the surrounding floor before going to bed. Why does he do it? The main reason that leads the dog to carry out this "ritual" is none other than to mark its territory, indicate to other dogs that this resting area its yours. By scratching both the bed and the floor, the animal spreads its scent and warns the rest of the dogs that this part of the home belongs to it. However, this does not mean that a dog that does not live with other dogs should not do it, since it is something that is in its natural instinct, it is most likely that it will also do it.
Dogs have a series of glands in different areas of their body through which they emit their own smell, unique and recognizable by the rest of the dogs. The most popular are the anal glands, which is why dogs tend to sniff each other's anuses when they meet during walks, and the sweat glands found in the pads. The latter fulfill several fundamental functions for the animal, including regulating body temperature through sweat and giving it its own smell. In this way, when scratching the ground, the dog distributes the smell emitted by the pads.
On the other hand, if you just scratch the bed before you go to bed, what you're doing is arranging it for the best possible rest. As it can happen to you, your dog tries to mold the cushion to form his own hole, to feel safe and comfortable on it. All the detailed information about why dogs scratch the bed before going to bed in our article, don't miss it!
You need to release pent up energy
If your dog scratches the floor in any area of the home for no apparent reason and vigorously, he may feel stressed from not getting enough exerciseand, therefore, that is your escape route. In general, this type of dog tends to present other symptoms of stress, such as stereotypes, licking or constant panting. In fact, the very act of scratching the floor can become stereotypic if you do it frequently and therefore require immediate treatment.
Dogs are animals that need to release stored energy to be calm, calm and in balance. To do this, it is best to offer them the exercise that their size and character needs, both through walks to interact with other dogs and through physical activities that allow them to run and, in addition, help us to strengthen the bond with them. If this is not fulfilled, the dog looks for other methods to release that energy, and scratching the ground compulsively is one of them. If this is your case and you don't know how to help your dog get rid of stress, we recommend that you go to an ethologist or dog educator for guidance.
Nails too long?
In the wild, dogs would scratch the ground to file their nails and not damage their paws when walking. When they are too long, the dog can develop serious he alth problems, such as sprained fingers or a broken nail, damaging the tissue inside it and causing an infection, among others. When exceeding the pads, the dog cannot properly support the legs on the ground and, therefore, the aforementioned damage occurs. In these cases we can also observe the animal biting its nails on some occasions.
Not ensuring the proper maintenance of the nails can lead the dog to scratch any type of ground to try to file them and recover the length that corresponds to them. To find out how to cut your dog's nails at home, don't miss our simple tips.
He scratches the floor after doing his business
How many times have you seen your dog scratch the ground after defecating or urinating? They usually do this with both their hind legs and their front legs, slightly moving away from the droppings or urine, and throwing up dirt, if any. This behavior is not intended to cover feces or urination to hide them for hygiene reasons, it tries to leave an olfactory and visual trail for dogs that cross the same territory later. Thus, it is an act of marking, carried out mainly by males, although we can also see it in some females. For this reason, we also usually observe that our dog defecates or urinates in areas where others have already done so. As with the act of scratching the bed, it is a natural behavior, typical of canine instinct that we should not hinder or stop.
On the other hand, dogs with a serious fear of other dogs tend to hide to relieve themselves and dig in the ground to cover feces and urine for the opposite purpose: delete testsIn this way, they avoid attracting other dogs and feel safer. These dogs need to be urgently treated by an ethologist or canine educator to regain their self-confidence.
In general, when it comes to marking territory, the dog tries to spread it rather than cover the faeces to spread its smell, while in the second case we do see how the animal hides the faeces. In addition, the dog that is afraid of other dogs will present other symptoms such as keeping its tail between its legs, its ears back or very lowered, or trembling when it sees another dog approaching it.
What if he scratches the ground?
In addition to the reasons already mentioned, such as filing his nails or releasing energy, the dog can dig the ground for the simple fact of having perceived a trail that leads him to believe that he is in that place a buried object. It's in his nature to bury and dig things up, so his own instinct leads him to scratch that area.
On the other hand, if you have observed that your dog first scratched the ground and then lay down on it, you should know that he does this to regulate his own temperature. In times of heat, the dog digs the earth until it reaches a cold layer on which to settle and cool off, while in the cold months it does so to eliminate the upper layer (which is usually colder) and lie down on a warmer one. In this sense, the dog can also scratch the floor of the home with the same purpose: regulate the temperature and accommodate a space to make it comfortable. For this reason, we want to highlight the importance of offering the animal its own bed, comfortable and cozy, so that it can rest without feeling cold or hot.
Should I avoid this behavior?
As we have seen throughout the article, in most cases the reason that answers the question why dogs scratch the ground lies in their instinct and nature, so in we must not hinder and curb that behavior. In these specific processes the dog tries to communicate, so that it does not present any problem that must be treated.
Of course, when it comes to stereotyping or behavior to release accumulated tension, we must act to eradicate the problem and return the animal to its state of well-being. Likewise, if the reason is inadequate nail maintenance, obviously we also have to intervene to avoid he alth problems.
