My 9 wk old Digs the Rug

[Alexis, JP and Brady]

I have seen a lot of posts for doodles who are digging in the yard, but my doodle digs the rug, in various spots!  and he won't stop if I try to redirect him to a toy.  I have even tried putting a little blanket under his nose when he starts to dig, so to tell him its ok to make a nest in a blanket, but not in the rug.  I have also tried spraying the Bitter apple spray in all the spots he digs, which deters him for a bit, but he will just find another spot to dig at later in the day.  Help! I don't want holes and shreds in my carpet!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Quincy will do that on the quilts on our bed, but not that often and for not too long.  It makes me laugh!  Can you distract by offering to play, throw a ball, squeak a toy?  I know sometimes they get single minded, though.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My mini does this when he's getting ready to lie down...either on his bed or the carpet.  I let him have a couple of "digs" but then I verbally correct if he doesn't stop on his own.  He's actually never put any holes in the carpeting, but he's only 20 lbs...my "big Dood" could probably do more damage.

[Gail and Bailey]

My mini does the same thing.... and I do the same thing Jane does to stop her.  However, every once in a while (although rarely)  she seems to get in a "zone" and can't get just the right "nest" made.... so then I will gently stop her if she does not respond to the verbal correction.   

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Our Vern is 100 pounds and digs everywhere. I make sure to put a blanket on all of his dog beds, so he can dig for a bit before he goes to sleep. For Vern, I think it is a calming mechanism.  The absolute best thing I ever did was get him a Coolaroo bed.

He digs on that bed every single day and it helps him not to dig on my carpet. I have replaced the cover at least 8 times, because he digs huge holes in it.

The covers cost like $14.00 and it sure beats replacing my rugs. The first thing he does when he gets home from the groomer or home from a walk, is run to that bed and dig. It has been wonderful for us. Our other dog, Fudge, is not an inside digger and does not like the bed at all.

[BG and Gavin]

The capers of Vern and his bed.  What a dood!

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Libby does this also and we call it her "nesting"!  As soon as she gets the blanket, quilt or pillow like she wants it, she stops!   It doesn't last very long and she settles down.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Does he have special places he digs?  If so, I would place furniture or a dog pillow bed on those spots to see if it stops his habit with the carpet and perhaps redirect it to his beds..  My dogs do this on the bed or on their beds but not on the carpet.

[Alexis, JP and Brady]

He just gets very focused and can not be redirected!  I have resorted giving him a minute Brady Break in the Crate if he doesn't stop.  It seems to work, at least for a while!  

[Geri]

Brenna used to dig in her bowl of water. My kitchen floor was a mess, but clean. She digs now and then on the bed but has quit the water bowl digging.

They are such silly dogs, she makes me laugh every day.