DEAR JOAN: I have two puppies, half Havanese and half poodle, from the same breeder but different litters.
The male is predominately poodle, is almost 2 years old, and weighs under 15 pounds. He regularly and constantly scratches his doggie bed and anything else he can scratch. He is more high strung and seems to be my protector. Their doggie beds are regularly under attack. Would you have any suggestions?
— Sidney Mygatt, Los Gatos
DEAR SIDNEY: Digging or scratching at a bed or cushion is normal dog behavior, and unless your pup is causing damage to the furniture or rugs, there’s really no harm in it.
For as long as there have been dogs, there has been scratching. When dogs lived in the wild, they would dig out a shallow hole to sleep in at night. The hole provided them with some measure of protection, but it also was a form of temperature control. When it was hot, they would dig down to cooler soil. When the weather was chilly, the hole gave them a cozy space to nestle into. Today’s dogs, driven by instinct, do the same thing.
Dogs also dig in their beds to provide a more comfortable spot. Think of it like fluffing your pillows before you go to sleep. Dogs might have wild instincts, but they still love their comfort. You might want to add some soft blankets to the bed to help with that.
Your dog might also be doing a little territory marking, which means he loves his bed so much that he wants to make it clear that it belongs to him. We all know dogs mark their territory with their urine, but fortunately, they have less pee-centric methods, too. Dogs have scent pads on their feet, so the digging and scratching leaves their own particular scent on the bed. Your dog might be letting his sister know that this bed is his.
If the digging is causing damage, you can minimize it by keeping the dog’s nails clipped. Whenever the digging routine starts, distract him with a toy and play, replacing the digging habit with another.
DEAR JOAN: Regarding the article about raccoons in Cupertino, my elderly parents’ home in Alamo had grass and vegetables that were being attacked by rats and squirrels. I telephoned my cousin, an architect in Florida. He said to buy Bird-X by Yard Gard at $30 each.
It is activated by motion that gives off a high frequency sound to keep critters away. It works by turning the dial to the picture of a rat, raccoon or deer. This technique solved the problem. I placed eight of them around the entire house, like a picture frame on all the corners. They are battery operated or electricity can be used with the 40-plus foot cord.
They lasted 10 years with no rodents on the ground.
Related Articles
Meet the newest breed to join the American Kennel Club, a little dog with a big smile
The great raccoon invasion moves to a Cupertino neighborhood
Why have three San Jose outdoor cats suddenly rejected their warm beds?
Is covering my lawn with netting the best way to get rid of raccoons?
Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex and what dog owners need to know
— Carol, San Ramon
DEAR CAROL: Thanks for another benign weapon in the war against raccoons. We’ve got them on the run.
DEAR JOAN: We had a terrible time with raccoons digging up our front and backyard until our neighbor gave us good advice. Start every April and August (the two “A” months) by treating your yard for grubs. It worked for us.
— Dorothy Carlson, San Jose
DEAR DOROTHY: What a great way to remember. Thank you.
Animal Life runs on Mondays. Reach Joan Morris at [email protected].
