Article: Her schnauzer really digs the living-room rug

Q. A few months ago, I got a 9-year-old Schnauzer from the dog pound. From time to time, this dog claws at the living-room rug - and just the living-room rug! Why does he do this? I have rugs in all the rooms, but he only goes for this one.

A. Believe it or not, what you describe is normal behavior. Dogs will claw one or more areas of a rug on the floor, one corner of a sofa (would you prefer that?) or an armchair seat before they lie down.

This "lair-dwelling" behavior occurs in nature: Dogs will dig up the ground a little and then circle a few times before they lie down. One of my dogs digs and pushes a throw rug around until it is piled up comfortably enough for him to sleep on.

...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!