Can anyone tell me why dogs do this??

My 7 month old dobe seems to have a fascination with various different parts of my carpet.  She's managed to make what she thinks is a lovely hole and is now trying the technique on other areas of my carpet....  I need her to stop doing this as I am running out of rugs to hide Jess' handy work!

NB: we do distract her when she starts scratching (mainly by us running round like loonies to try make us look more interesting than the carpet..;-)

Hi Josie
do you think these might be areas where *tasty* spillages have occurred at all ? Just a thought :)

It does seem to be in the spots where she likes to take her pigs ears to munch on........

I've given up on having any money! Jess has the best of everything whilst we're left looking like Stig of the Dump....:-))

I think you need to encourage her to eat her pigs ears in her own bed - and supply her with plenty of stuff to dig at in her bed........  Maybe even move the bed to the favourite areas?  I believe this scratching is a form of self annointment - dogs have scent glands in their feet and scratching transfers this scent to the surface they scratch - most dogs will 'dig' before lying down, so they are lying in a pool of their own scent.

Thanks Digger, I didn't realise that they had scent glands in their feet...will try and encourage her to eat piggy ears in her bed from now on! 

What would you suggest putting in her blanket to dig at?  Would a wool blanket be suitable?  She's got a snoozy dog in one bed and then a large padded fleece covered douvet as her other?  Do you think she needs something she can shift about a bit? 

I use pieces of vet bedding - large pieces of man made sheepskin like material that is easily washed in a washing machine....

Hi Digger, where can I get vet bedding from?  Thanks

Ebay can be a good source.....

Cheers Digger, I'll have a mooch on there!