#9: Self-rewarding behavior
This is a natural result of boredom.
Your dog does self-rewarding behaviors to fulfill a need.
For example, they will do these:
So if your dog doesn’t have anything to do, they scratch your poor sofa.
Voila! They have an activity. Problem solved. Or is it?
Warning: Self-rewarding behaviors can result in canine OCD.
Which is a behavioral problem that’s difficult to correct.
Look out for reason #13 for more information.
#12: Separation anxiety
Separation anxiety happens in dogs because they get anxious that their dog parents leave.
It can start when their hoomans are getting ready to go out.
According to this study, they will:
And when they leave the house, the stress escalates.
It reaches such a high level that the pooch will display these behaviors:
For many years, behaviorists have recommended using desensitization and counterconditioning techniques.
And yes, these have been successful in treating separation anxiety.
But new research has suggested that there is a new way to look at this disorder.
The scientists heading this say that there are root causes, the same as any disease.
The researchers say that this term shouldn’t be the whole diagnosis.
There are underlying issues that need addressing for a successful treatment.
In examining over 2,700 dogs of 100 different breeds, the study found 4 causes:
The researchers continue that frustration is often at the root of this behavior.
So the focus of the treatment should be on what causes this frustration to build up.
It can start with not wanting their hoomans to go away.
But other events also influence why it happens. And scratching can be one of them.
#3: Interesting smells
Your dog might scratch your couch because they smell something inside.
Food crumbs might have made their home on your sofa.
Or your doggo senses small insects who have taken refuge there.
There’s one, in particular, that does this.
The EPA tells us that this is an invasive insect that lives in most of the US.
They came from Asia in the 1990s via shipping containers.
And today, most farmers consider them a problem.
Because they like to munch on high-value crops and ornamental plants.
In addition, they also bother people in their houses.
During the wintertime, they seek shelter in the warm buildings. And some may hide in the furniture.
They release a stinky odor from scent glands in their abdomen.
And your pooch may smell this. So this is why you see them scratching at the furniture.
Why do dogs dig and scratch on couch or Sofa
Why do dogs dig on beds and couches, or even their own beds? For many of us with a busy Border Collie or Siberian Husky (and many other breeds), digging is a common problem. But while digging in the yard is a nuisance, a dog that scratches a hole in their dog beds, your favorite couch, or even your bed is an expensive problem.
For most of us, going out and buying a new couch or mattress whenever your dog’s nails rip a giant hole is just not an option. So let’s answer the questions “what does it mean when a dog digs on the sofa” and “why do dogs dig on my bed.”