Dogs dig on beds and couches primarily due to ancestral instincts. This behavior, often called “denning” or “nesting,” mimics how wild ancestors dug into the earth to create a comfortable, temperature-regulated, and safe shelter. Other common reasons include scent marking (using glands in their paws to claim territory), anxiety relief, boredom, or simply trying to warm up or cool down the bedding. While usually normal, sudden or obsessive digging can indicate stress or medical issues.
Summary Table
| Reason | Motivation | What It Looks Like | Action Required |
| Nesting/Denning | Instinctual comfort | Circling, light scratching, fluffing blankets | None (Normal behavior) |
| Temperature Control | Physical comfort | Digging deep into covers (cold) or removing them (hot) | Adjust room temp or bedding |
| Scent Marking | Territorial | Vigorous scratching with paws, rolling after digging | none (unless destructive) |
| Anxiety/Stress | Self-soothing | Frantic, repetitive digging, panting, whining | Increase exercise, consult vet/trainer |
| Boredom | Entertainment | Playful digging, biting bedding, “zoomies” | More mental/physical stimulation |
| Resource Guarding | Hiding items | Burying toys, bones, or treats in cushions | Remove item, trade for treats |
Why Do Dogs Dig on Beds and Couches?
If you are a dog owner, you have likely witnessed the “bedtime ritual.” Your dog hops onto the bed or couch, spins around three times, and then begins furiously scratching at the duvet or cushions. They might paw at the fabric for thirty seconds straight before finally collapsing with a deep sigh.
To us humans, this looks chaotic. Why destroy a perfectly made bed? Why scratch a cushion that is already soft?
The answer lies in the fact that your dog does not see a Tempur-Pedic mattress or a designer sofa. They see a potential den.
While domesticated dogs have lived indoors with humans for thousands of years, their brains are still hardwired with the survival instincts of their wild ancestors.
This guide will explore exactly why your dog performs this quirky behavior, when you should be worried, and how to save your furniture without suppressing your dog’s natural instincts.
Read Also: Why Do Dogs Sleep on Their Backs?
1. The Ancestral Link: Denning and Nesting
The most common reason dogs dig on furniture is purely instinctual. Before dogs were sleeping on memory foam, their wolf ancestors lived in the wild, where sleeping was a survival activity. They did not have the luxury of climate control or soft blankets.
Creating a Safe Den
In the wild, sleeping in the open is dangerous. It exposes an animal to predators, wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. To stay safe, wild canines dig shallow holes in the ground, known as dens or beds.
When your dog scratches at your bedsheets, they are mimicking the motion of digging up dirt, leaves, and pine needles. By scratching the surface, they are instinctually trying to:
- Clear away sharp rocks, sticks, or insects.
- Create a slight depression or “bowl” shape that provides cover and camouflage.
- Build a perimeter that feels secure from potential threats.
Temperature Regulation
The Earth is a natural insulator. In the summer, the topsoil is hot, but the dirt a few inches down is cool. Wolves dig to expose this cool earth to lower their body temperature. Conversely, in the winter, digging a hole and curling into a tight ball helps trap body heat.
Even though your house is set to a comfortable 70 degrees, your dog’s biological urge to “customize” their thermostat remains. You might notice this happens more often during seasonal changes.
If it is a hot summer night, your dog might scratch the sheets to “remove” the hot top layer. If it is freezing outside, they might dig to create a deep pile of blankets to burrow into.
2. Territorial Behavior and Scent Marking
Dogs experience the world primarily through their nose. To a dog, a bed isn’t just a place to sleep; it is a territory that needs to be claimed.
Paws as Markers
You might think your dog marks territory only by urinating on fire hydrants, but they also have scent glands located between their toes and on their paw pads.
When your dog vigorously scratches at the couch or bed, they are depositing their unique pheromones onto the fabric.
This serves a dual purpose:
- Ownership: It signals to other animals (and humans) that “This spot is taken.” This is why you often see dogs scratching up a bed immediately after you have washed the sheets. The laundry detergent removed their scent, so they must reapply it immediately to reclaim their space.
- Comfort: A bed that smells like them feels safer. The familiar scent reduces stress and helps them relax for sleep.
Read Also: What It Means When a Dog Sighs?
3. Emotional Factors: Anxiety and Excitement
Not all digging is about comfort or territory. Sometimes, the behavior is a window into your dog’s emotional state.
Anxiety and Stress Relief
Repetitive behaviors can be self-soothing for dogs. Just as a human might pace back and forth or tap their foot when nervous, a dog might dig. The physical exertion of digging releases nervous energy.
If the digging is frantic, accompanied by whining, panting, or an inability to settle down even after digging, it could be a sign of anxiety. This is common in dogs suffering from:
- Separation Anxiety: Digging occurs when you leave the house or are about to leave.
- Noise Phobias: Thunderstorms or fireworks can trigger a “bunker” mentality, where the dog tries to dig a hole to hide from the noise.
The “Zoomies” and Play
On the opposite end of the spectrum, digging can be a sign of pure joy. If your dog is in a playful mood, they might engage in a burst of energy often called the “zoomies” (Frenetic Random Activity Periods).
During this time, they might dive onto the couch, dig furiously for five seconds, bark at a pillow, and then run a lap around the living room. In this context, the digging is a form of play.
They are burning off excess adrenaline. You can usually tell this apart from anxiety because the dog’s body language will be loose, wiggly, and happy.
Resource Guarding: Hiding Treasures
If your dog enters the room with a bone, toy, or stolen sock in their mouth, the digging serves a very specific purpose: caching.
Wild canines often kill more prey than they can eat in one sitting. To prevent scavengers from stealing their food, they bury the leftovers to eat later. Domestic dogs still have this urge to “save it for a rainy day.”
If you give your dog a high-value treat, they might rush to the couch, dig a “hole” between the cushions or under a blanket, drop the treat in, and then use their nose to “cover” it back up with the fabric. They are essentially using your furniture as a safe deposit box.
Breed-Specific Tendencies
While all dogs can dig, certain breeds were engineered by humans to be professional excavators. If you own one of these breeds, the behavior is likely much more intense.
Terriers (The Earth Dogs)
The name “Terrier” comes from the Latin word terra, meaning earth. Breeds like Jack Russells, Cairn Terriers, Border Terriers, and Yorkies were bred to hunt vermin (rats, badgers, foxes) that live underground.
For a Terrier, digging is not just a sleeping ritual; it is a job. They have a biological compulsion to dig into dark, tight spaces. When they feel a blanket or a cushion, their brain tells them there might be something hiding underneath it.
Northern Breeds
Huskies, Malamutes, and Samoyeds originate from freezing climates. Their ancestors had to dig deep snow dens to survive blizzards. These dogs are powerful diggers and often have a strong desire to create “nests” even in a carpeted living room.
Scent Hounds
Beagles and Dachshunds (technically part of the hound group but bred to dig badger holes) follow their noses. If a crumb of food falls between the couch cushions, a Beagle will dig relentlessly until they retrieve it.
When Should You Be Concerned?
For 90% of dogs, digging on the bed is a harmless quirk. However, there are times when it warrants a trip to the vet.
Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior
If your dog cannot stop digging, or if you interrupt them and they immediately go back to it with a glazed look in their eyes, it might be a compulsive disorder. This requires professional behavioral intervention.
Pain or Discomfort
If an older dog who never used to dig suddenly starts scratching the bed frantically, they might be in pain. Arthritis or joint pain can make it difficult for a dog to get comfortable. They may dig in an attempt to create a softer surface to relieve pressure on their joints.
Skin Irritation
If the digging is accompanied by rubbing their face on the bed or scratching their own body, check for allergies, fleas, or hot spots. They might be using the friction of the bed to scratch an itch they cannot reach.
Read Also: Why Do Dogs Stare at Their Owners?
How to Stop or Manage the Behavior
If the digging is destroying your expensive duvet covers or leather sofa, you need a strategy. You generally cannot “train out” an instinct, but you can redirect it.
1. Upgrade the Bedding
If your dog is digging to get comfortable, their current bed might be lacking.
- The Burrow Bed: Buy a “cave” style bed or a bed with an attached hood. These allow the dog to crawl inside and feel covered without having to dig a hole.
- More Blankets: Sometimes, simply throwing a heavy, inexpensive fleece blanket over your nice bedding is enough. Let the dog dig and arrange the “decoy” blanket while your sheets stay safe underneath.
- Cooling Mats: If your dog digs in the summer, they are likely hot. Get a gel cooling mat. Once they realize the mat is cold, they will lie on it directly without needing to dig.
2. Trim Those Nails
The damage to your furniture is caused by sharp claws. Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed short and smooth (using a grinder) will significantly reduce the wear and tear on your fabrics. If the nails are dull, the dog can scratch to their heart’s content without ripping the threads.
3. Burn the Energy
A tired dog is a sleeping dog. If your dog is digging out of boredom or anxiety, increase their daily exercise.
- Mental Stimulation: Use puzzle toys or snuffle mats before bed.
- Physical Exercise: A long walk or a game of fetch 30 minutes before bedtime can help them settle down faster, skipping the manic digging phase.
4. Provide a Designated Digging Spot
If you have a Terrier that simply must dig, give them a legal outlet.
- Indoor: Create a “dig box” using a plastic swimming pool filled with ball-pit balls or old towels. Hide treats inside and encourage them to dig there.
- Outdoor: designate a corner of the yard with loose sand or soil where digging is permitted.
5. Interrupt and Redirect
If you catch your dog digging on the sofa:
- Do not yell or punish (this increases anxiety).
- Use a “positive interrupter” sound (like a kissy noise) to get their attention.
- Ask for an incompatible behavior, like “sit” or “down.”
- Reward them when they settle, or give them a chew toy to occupy their mouth and paws.
Conclusion
Digging on beds and couches is a classic example of how our dogs are caught between two worlds: the wild forests of their ancestors and the comfortable living rooms of their humans. Whether they are fluffing their “nest,” marking their territory, or simply trying to cool down, this behavior is a natural expression of being a dog.
By understanding the root cause, be it instinct, comfort, or emotion, you can manage the behavior effectively. You can save your furniture with a few simple changes to their environment and routine, allowing your dog to feel safe and secure in their modern-day den.
