‘Why does my dog burrow’ is a question I have asked myself since I adopted Penny, my chiweenie pup. Every night before bed or when she decides it’s time to take a royal nap, she burrows under blankets and covers. It’s hard to know when she is underneath all the covers all the time, and I have often wondered why does my dog burrow? This has also led to a few freak-outs of ‘where did my dog go’ and a few accidental sits in the wrong area.
Where did this dog burrowing behavior come from?
This behavior tracks back to their ancestry where wild animals would create a protective and comfy home for their offspring, themselves, and food. The main reason our dogs bury under their covers in our beds is for security. It makes them feel secure and safe while easing anxiously or any stressful situation. This denning instinct is literally encoded into your pup’s DNA.
Is it ok to let my dog burrow?
Absolutely! If this is a behavior that seems to provide them comfort, then don’t discourage it. If something seems off where they are being obsessive or under constant or severe anxiety, then I would consult your veterinarian just to make sure. I leave lots of blankets around my apartment, so Penny can burrow wherever she dang well pleases to burrow.
What breeds tend to burrow the most?
While all dog breeds burrow, some tend to burrow more than others because of their history.
Terriers
The word ‘terrier’ has the Latin meaning of ‘Earth Dog’ so there’s that. Terriers tend to be diggers and have used this instinct to hunt rodents.
Huskies
Huskies burrow to help regulate their body temperate. They can dig into the snow to find warmer ground, and if they are too hot you may see them dig into the ground to find a cooler spot.
Dachshunds
This pup used his short but strong legs to burrow into the earth and hunt rodents. They used to create tunnels to hunt, and this desire has manifested into your covers, clothes, and possibly your garden. My dachshund mix loves to be on the look-out for chipmunks at all times.
Schnauzers
Schnauzers have a strong desire to keep rodents out, which means they have a strong desire to burrow and find them.
Dig yo’ dog’s burrow life. (Just don’t sit on them.) Ever wonder why your pup pulls and tugs when on their leash towards other dogs? Check out why and what you can do about it in this post.
