In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Why does my dog drag his blanket around? We give you 5 reasons for why this happens and also talk about some of the most bizarre behaviours of dogs.
Why does my dog drag his blanket around?
There are several reasons why your dog drags his blanket around. So, we are going to discuss them separately.
First of all, if your dog drags his blanket around before sleep, that is because he is looking for a comfortable space. All dogs love to prepare a comfortable place where they can lie down and rest. When they scratch the sofa, move cushions or blankets, they are preparing the place to enjoy their rest more comfortably. Sometimes they even have a real prep ritual! It is quite fun to watch them make their preparations for their moments of rest.
Secondly, they do it by instinct. Formerly in their period as a wild animal, they would dig in the ground to dig their burrows and protect themselves and their cubs from inclement weather and other predators.
Today, with the security that the domestic dog has, it does not make sense for them to dig to create a place to protect themselves, but it is what their ancestors did for thousands of years and this genetic information has survived to this day. Dragging the blanket around is a replica of that behaviour.
If for any reason your dog scratches the bed, the sofa or the floor or when he drags his blanket around and we observe him, laugh and he gets our full attention, he will have learned that doing it has its reward, so he will tend to repeat it.
Punctually seeking our attention is not a bad thing, however, if you observe that it does it constantly you may pay a little more attention to it by playing more with it or taking it more for a walk.
Your dog drags his blanket around because it amuses him. Maybe in addition to the previous reasons we have cited, your dog is having fun too. For us scratching the sofa, the floor or the rugs are not very entertaining activities, however, for dogs, it can be a very interesting way to pass the time.
Also, when they do it for a long time and very energetically, it allows them to release energy quickly and helps them feel better.
Another reason is to mark territory. When dogs rub a surface with the pads of their paws, they release an odour that is impregnated on it. Thus they manage to leave their “personal mark” and claim that territory as their own.
This behaviour is usually more frequent on sofas and beds, where our odours or those of other inhabitants of the house are more present, and it intensifies when a new member arrives at the house or important changes occur within your home.
Other considerations
Although it is a behaviour that all dogs can acquire, certain breeds have a greater predisposition to scratch surfaces, destroy things and move things around, than others, such as terriers (Jack Russell terrier, Bull terrier, Boston terrier … etc)
It is a behaviour that can be learned. This is especially the case when a new dog enters the house where other dogs already exist. The new dog will tend to repeat or imitate those behaviours that it observes in the group to integrate. If one of these behaviours consists of scratching the sofas, beds or rugs, it will most likely tend to imitate them.
This type of behaviour can be indulged as long as it is not destructive or obsessive. When we are faced with these cases, it is important to prevent our dog from accessing beds or sofas (preventing access to the rooms if necessary) and to give our dog enough mental and physical stimulation.
It is highly recommended that you have a special bed for dogs that are comfortable and appropriate to their size and needs. These beds are designed to achieve maximum comfort for your dog and are a more comfortable, adequate and hygienic alternative for them than the beds and sofas in our homes.
The most bizarre behaviours of dogs
Having a new canine member in the family is probably like discovering a world of adventure. And many of the experiences that you go through together will surely be very strange. Dogs often have disconcerting and unexpected behaviours for their owners.
They destroy everything
It would not be something unexpected, to come home after a day of work and see that the dog completely ripped the carpet in the bedroom. Or wake up in the morning and the legs of tables and chairs are completely unrecognizable.
There are as many ways that dogs can engage in destructive behaviour as there are reasons. If a dog is destructive, the first step in curbing the behavior is consulting a specialist. Dogs tend to break things but “destructive” behaviours should be addressed in case they are repeated.
Convulsions
It is surely the most serious behaviour of all. If a dog suddenly falls to the ground and begins to twist and ‘row’ with his legs, he is likely having a seizure. Other signs can be walking in circles. The animal must be immediately taken to a veterinarian in case of this suspicion, since the symptoms get worse in most cases.
Accompanying you to the bathroom
Dogs don’t respect limits. This is true if a person is cooking, watching television or doing something significantly personal like going to the bathroom or having sex it can be unsettling to have a dog staring at them.
However, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with such behavior. Dogs don’t understand that barrier. Still, if the idea of a canine crowd bothers you, you can close the door to teach them that they shouldn’t be there.
Rubbing on a toy
A dog has probably ever been seen ‘rubbing’ on a toy or even on the leg of a guest. The blankets and even the furniture are ordinary white, and it can seem a bit unnerving. As long as it is not done in excess, it is completely normal, but there are ways to curb the behaviour, so it is always recommended to consult a veterinarian.
Eating their waste
Although the idea sounds really unpleasant there are two main reasons why they do it. First of all, they may be trying to keep your space clean and see it as an act of neatness. This is an instinctive behaviour that females, for example, perform with their young.
Second, the food may not be meeting their nutritional needs and this is an attempt to reinforce their diet. Either way, it is not something that should continue – nor is it healthy. There are treatments for these cases.
Inverted’ sneezes
Of all the weird or scary things on this list, reverse sneezes take the prize and despite how it sounds, they are totally harmless to a dog. It manifests itself when the dog suddenly begins to make a strange sound that looks like a combination of huffing and choking, and it looks like it’s trying to vomit. What’s going on?
It is a “respiratory event” that can be caused either by overexcitement or as an attempt to get rid of mucus. Despite this, it should be allowed to run its course for 30 seconds to immediately return to normal. Oh, and also many of them can bark in their dreams …
Conclusions
In this blog post, I answered the following question: Why does my dog drag his blanket around? We gave you 5 reasons for why this happens and also talk about some of the most bizarre behaviours of dogs.
There is nothing to worry about if you see your dog dragging his blanket around. It may be that your pet just needs you attention or that he wants to be more comfortable. Of course, there are particular cases. For example, that blanket may have a certain smell that makes your dog feel safe.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know!
FAQ on Why does my dog drag his blanket around?
Why does my dog take his blanket out of his crate?
There are several reasons why your dog may be taking his blanket out of his crate. Maybe your dog is trying to build a nest, or he doesn’t like the smell of the blanket. Maybe he is too hot, or maybe he just wants your attention.
When should I stop putting my dog in his crate?
You should stop putting your dog in his crate for more than 4 hours at a time when they are puppies since they cannot control their bladder for so long. Also, when they are adults – dogs can learn how to move in the house without destroying everything.
Should you cover a dog crate with a blanket?
Yes, you should cover a dog crate with a blanket. It is recommended that the cage is covered with a cloth or blanket on all sides except for the entrance so that there is darkness inside.
Is it cruel to crate a dog at night?
No, it is not cruel to crate a dog at night. Crates are safe spaces for dogs, such as dens are for their ancestors the wolves. If your dog doesn’t mind staying in a cage during the day, there would be no problem sleeping in it during the night.
References
Aspca.org
Creedonsdogcare.ie
Rspca.org.uk
Pets.webmd.com
