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Dealing with unwanted digging
Does anyone have any recommendations for dealing with unwanted digging in furniture? One of my client dogs has a habit of digging in the couch/in his bed that his guardian would like to curtail. They live in an apartment and don’t have outdoor access so she can’t give him a real outlet for digging. It seems like once he starts the digging he gets over aroused and it’s hard to get him to stop. If she puts away his bed he goes for the couch.
Has anyone found a successful way to redirect behavior like this? My dog also has this habit and I’ve not been able to change it, so I’m at a loss!
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8 Replies
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Nice photo, @Shaunacy – is this your pup or the client’s? Basenji?
I have so many questions, as uncovering the root cause of this behavior is key to reducing or eliminating it.
Can you share more about the client’s dog? What breed, what age? Are there any physical issues? What kind of enrichment is this dog getting? Does the dog have an outlet for any foraging activities? What is the overall enrichment plan for this dog? Is the dog caching a toy or food, or “just” digging? These details may help spark members’ ideas for you.
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Ah, just a photo from google, didn’t have one of Gus!
The dog is a rescue mix about 1 year old–the rescue told her a spitz mix, but still waiting on the dna test results.
The digging doesn’t involve food or toys, just scratching at the cushions.
There are no physical issues that we know of, but the dog has recently developed some dog reactivity and hasn’t been as interested in going on long walks, so I think lack of exercise/stress relief may be a factor. (I haven’t really gotten to the bottom of the new reactivity–I encouraged the client to stop doing on-leash greetings with random people on the street, and I’m wondering if it’s barrier frustration about not being able to go greet every dog.)
Current enrichment probably needs a revamp: She uses a Nina Ottosen food puzzle and is getting a snuffle mat. I’ve told her about lots of enrichment toys like frozen Kongs and lick mats, but I’m not sure how much she’s implemented. I also told her about foraging in a cardboard box inside. I probably need a more structured plan for her, is what I’m realizing! Aside from the foraging in a box, I don’t have a lot of activities that would channel that digging urge, so if anybody has any good ideas I’d appreciate it.
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Hi Shaunacy,
I think you are on the right track with stepping back and looking at the overall picture for this dog. You may find some good ideas to guide you by watching some of the SEEDS lectures by Kelsey Weber and the Canine Enrichment book will help you assess this dog and make a plan as well.
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Hi @Shaunacy , if I’m understanding you correctly, this behavior is not related to preparing for lying down for a rest, correct? If the digging is just for fun, I’d lean toward creating one appropriate digging outlet. Maybe the base of a big Rubbermaid container layered with an old blanket or some towels…? The dog would need to be consistently directed to that when he shows an interest in digging. Temporarily, a plastic carpet runner, nubby side, could be laid on the sofa to make digging there un-fun.
If it’s an excess energy related thing, perhaps a variety of food puzzles and other forms of indoor enrichment could help.
Looking forward to other people’s input. Keep us posted how things go, whatever you try.????
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The Rubbermaid container with towels is a great idea!
I do think it’s “for fun” rather than preparing for rest.
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I love the ideas for this dog so far, @Shaunacy @catherine @virginiad !
Finding the root (ha! Maybe that’s what the dog is doing, jk) of what he’s looking for is a good place to start. I’ve known older dogs who’ve done this with couch cushions or in their crate (with a mat inside) or their own bed. I think they are trying to create a more comfortable “laying” position, I know that sounds weird! I’ve also asked them if they are digging to the other side of the world!
Here’s an idea I am taking from a cat client I have (cat sitting which turned into cat training, lol):
The owner’s (and mine, at first) was that 6 month old kitten would try to use her leg as a scratching post, as she was cooking a meal, etc. Not fun! She had carpeted scratching posts and those kinds in a box lid that look like corrugated cardboard stacked together. He was mainly interested in our legs with jeans on. So, I thought an interesting way could be to make a scratching post out of whatever old jeans they owned. She came up with SUCH a cool idea for him! She stuffed a foam roller inside an old jeans pant leg) (she tacked it somehow, no sewing) and used an old base from a lamp that clamps to a hurricane (she took the glass out, for obvious reasons)…so it had a heavy wrought iron base.
The cat…OMD…He loved it! And I praise and treat him wherever he scratches something appropriate, while I’m there. If he goes after the couch, redirect to the scratching posts around and click and treat!
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This is so interesting, I do feel my older dog does this more often now. I always use a positive interruption like kissy noisy or tongue clicks with her name and it’s snaps her out of it. She always had a reward connection to the positive interrupter noise – and she is very food motivated so runs right to me. That way if she does it to her bed I am ok with it but if she jumps on the couch which is leather I make the noise and she comes to me. I think you are on the right track upper her enrichment too!!
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I agree with comments so far. If your dog is a spitz mix, he/she may be digging due to a need not being met. I would start with some scent games or a problem solving game. I like to use “Trixie puzzles. They are 4 different boxes that have different ways of opening. I think a dog like this would really like them. Some basic outdoor time. This breed likes to be outdoors. I always like doing simple stuff. I’m finding that especially with behavior problems, you don’t need any elaborate or complex training plans. Hope this helps
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