Why Does My Dog Bring Me Its Blanket?
Your pup may suffer from separation anxiety when you leave them at home for long work hours. A security blanket with your scent on it may serve as a way to help them deal with being apart from you.
It’s also a great idea to hire a dog walker to come spend some time with your pup and let them expel some anxious energy in the middle of the day.
Your dog may also bring their blanket to you to provide you with relief when you’re stressed because they know their blanket is a comfort to them. How sweet is that?
On the flip side, your dog may also bring you their blanket every time you head out the door as the covering provides your dog with a sense of security and familiarity, which helps them deal better in unknown situations or places.
Why Do Dogs Pull and Tug at Their Blankets?
Moving around the blanket, digging, and scratching are all common canine behaviors. But, it isn’t a problematic behavior. There are several reasons for your dog to pull at its blanket.
Your domestic pup today comes from a proud line of ancient wolves. And the habit to scratch, whether it be at a pile of leaves or mound of pine needles, is an inherited trait from their wolf ancestors. So you will find your fur baby moving and scratching at its blanket before sleeping to create a snug nest in which to sleep.
It is standard behavior in canines to mark their territory, whether they be a male or female. So when your dog is rubbing and scratching their blanket, they are marking their blanket as their property with their scent.
Dogs have glands in their paws that secrete a unique scent. The odor is an indication of ownership. This means you may see your dog rubbing their paw not just on their blanket but your bedding as well.
Female dogs practice ‘nesting’ before and after giving birth. That is to say that your pregnant doggo is going to dig and rub at her blanket and even carry it around to several locations before finally settling down.
So do not be surprised to see your fluff ball go to great lengths to make a comfortable mound of bedding before her little ones arrive.
Smaller breeds of dogs rub and scratch at their blanket as they urge to create ‘tunnels.’ Terriers and other small breeds of dogs were bred for the distinct purpose of flushing out small game from their hiding spots during a hunt. So it is the same behavior that your fur baby replicates.
Yet burrowing isn’t uncommon in larger breeds of dogs either. You see, large dog breeds often burrow to create a safe spot to sleep and to stay warm.
If your pup hates being cooped up in a kennel all night and you leave it open during the day, your dog may be pulling their blanket out so that they can enjoy a comfy place to sleep outside of their kennel.
Dog beds and blankets absorb the scent of your dog and become a familiar part of their territory. So if your dog is afraid of their kennel, they will likely take all of their favorite belongings out so they can enjoy them in peace.
It may be helpful to re-train your dog or implement new strategies to show your dog that their kennel is a safe place, like leaving treats inside or covering it at night. However, if your dog is showing signs of anxiety, it’s best to speak to your vet.
It may not be a wonder for you anymore when you witness your dog dragging their blanket out of their kennel and across the floor. But there are many other queries that first-time pet parents have when it comes to their beloved pets. Read on to find out more about some of your dog’s quirky habits.
Recommendations on how to use dog cages
Whatever the type of cage for dogs, the important thing is that our friend feels comfortable in it and that has everything necessary to make him feel comfortable.
Blankets, mat or mattress, food and water should not be missing from the dog’s crate. The dog should not perceive the stay in its cage as a punishment. On the contrary, it is recommended to associate its use from a young age with positive reinforcement and that they perceive the place as their own space that must be respected.
It is important to keep the dog cage in perfect hygienic conditions. Let’s not forget that the accumulation of hair and debris is the origin of infections and parasites. It will be enough to clean the cage superficially daily and a little more thoroughly each week.
If we have just cleaned the cage, let it dry well and the odours are neutralized before the animal enters it. Some products and smells are not good for animals. Besides, the dog must recognize it as his private environment and strange smells can be quite unpleasant.
We must not use the cage for dogs indiscriminately or leave the animal for longer than necessary, inside it. Many owners leave the dog locked inside the cage. In this way, they avoid the responsibility of keeping the dog free for as long as possible. This is a serious error.
Click here for more information on how to clean a dog’s crate.
14 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)
In this article, we will answer the following question: Why does my dog pull his bed out of his crate. We also show some types of dog cages and what conditions they must meet so that your pet can feel comfortable and safe inside his crate.