Which Breeds Are Prone To Burrowing?
If you cohabitate with a Terrier or Dachshund, youâve probably witnessed some blanket-digging behavior. These breeds historically were raised to drive vermin out of underground dens, and their ancestors were accustomed to creating and squeezing into tight spaces in order to flush out rodents. Therefore, they instinctively feel comfortable within, say, a dark and cozy duvet. Huskies, too, are apt to burrow under the covers, as their Arctic ancestors dug holes in the snow and nestled in them for insulation (as do current-day sled dogs when on the trail). Though specialists in dog behavior tend to name these three breeds as poster pups for denning, any dog can exhibit blanket-burrowing behavior.
Ancestors of the domesticated dog settled in tunnels and caves to protect themselves and their young from predators and inclement weather, and todayâs canines intuitively seek comfort in spaces they associate with the coziness of a den. Because theyâre pack animals, dogs also tend to search for modern-day equivalents of the warmth and sense of security derived from curling up against their littermates. They find these comforts in the act of sleeping alongside their human âpack membersâ and nestling beneath blankets that smell soothingly of themselves or their human parents.Related article
There are pros and cons of sleeping with your dog â for both of you.
Dogs also burrow as a way to recharge after a day of stressors (you know, how you like to bury under the covers after a bad day at work). âBy removing exposure to the sights and sounds of an active household, the dog feels more secure,â says JustAnswer veterinarian Jo Myers, DVM. âAfter all, itâs your dogâs job to keep an eye on everything going on in and around the house so she can make sure her family is safe,â she says. âWhen your dog is buried under the blankets in your bed, they can turn off that vigilance and take a break.â Something we can definitely relate to.
In addition, being under the covers places a barrier between the pup and any loud noises, such as fireworks or rainstorms. Like a Thundershirt or similar swaddling vest, bedcovers can provide anxiety-reducing pressure to the body of the nervous animal â think of it as their snuggie.
For the most part, yes. Healthy adult dogs will thermoregulate â that is, remove themselves from beneath the blankets â when they become too hot. As long as they have an easy exit out of their âdens,â there is little danger in allowing them to dive under the covers. This said, it may be difficult for puppies and smaller breeds to âevacuateâ certain types of bedding. In addition, older canines and those with respiratory issues (including flat-faced dogs like Pugs) can have a difficult time breaking free from especially big or heavy blankets. To minimize the opportunity for overheating or entanglement, itâs best to avoid such coverings.
Is your pet being left alone for long stretches of time? If so, hire a dog walker or give your dog more exercise and things to occupy them when nothing else is going on.
Every night when I turn out the light to go to sleep, I hear the rustling sound of Lenny, my terrier-mix rescue dog, burrowing in the blankets.
According to some pet experts, dogs are “denning” animals: It is a dog’s instinct to sleep or relax in a small and protected space to feel warm and safe.
This explains why many dogs actually prefer their crates when left alone at home or to sleep in at night.
If your dog’s burrowing seems obsessive, try to observe if anxiety is triggering it and find ways to ease the anxiety causing the activity.
And can she breathe under there!?
There are so many dog behaviors that seem weird (but cute!), and one of those is watching your dog burrow — sometimes ferociously — deep under the covers. (Can she even breathe under there?)
To learn more about this seemingly universal dog behavior, The Dodo reached out to Dr. Gary Puglia, veterinarian at BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, for some expert insight.