6 Ways To Stop Your Dog From Scratching Your Carpet

Dogs love scratching or digging. But this innate behaviour can sometimes damage expensive household items. Before we proceed to how you can stop your dog from scratching your carpet, you must first learn the reasons behind this behaviour.  

Why do dogs scratch carpets? 

Dogs usually have a tendency to scratch or dig – that's their innate behaviour, which in fact become very annoying at times, especially when they to start to scratch costly household items. 

Some breeds of dogs like Daschshunds and Terriers even have very sensitive noses. So what they do is smell if rodents are present under the house and that provokes them to scratch the carpet or dig a hole in the flooring material. 

A lot of dogs when they get bored resort to this kind of behaviour. They sometimes even express their frustration and anxiety by doing so. But this is also true that dogs can scratch carpets or furniture just in order to seek attention. 

What to do in such instances? 

If your pet has already scratched your carpet, then carpet patching is the only option for you to get it repaired. Also make sure to stop your pet from scratching your precious household item. In order to do this give an alternative to your pet & train him in a way so that he understands that this behaviour is nor right. 

How to stop dogs from scratching carpets? 

1. Some dogs scratch or dig to release their extra energy. If your one scratches while he is playing, it could mean that needs to do some exercise or play. In such a case, take him for a play with him or just take him for a walk. This will restrain his craving to dig or scratch.

2. Dogs have a tendency to dig ground in order to make a cosy and soft bed. So, what you can do is offer a comfortable & warm bed to your dog or a pile of think blankets. Remember to put the bed in an area where he generally scratches and make him know that's his bed. If you want, you can even put some sort of special treats on the bed to make him to go there.

3. Sometimes skin diseases or rashes cause dogs to scratch or rub their stomach on carpet. So, when they have itching & skin irritation that's the time they scratch vigorously. If your pet is facing the same problem, take him to a veterinarian and get the condition treated.

4. Trim the nails of your dog when needed; this is because you may find him scratching to file down his claws otherwise. When you trim the nails and keep them short, you can be sure that he won't be able to cause much damage your carpet.

5. Scratching the carpet isn't a good habit. So whenever your dog involves himself in such a kind of activity, make him understand that it's not the right behaviour. Train him. It may take a few weeks for him to learn but he'll eventually realise that he should not do this.

6. You can also gift him an inexpensive rug, which he can scratch as much as he likes. But place that rug where he takes rest or scratches to protect your flooring material from damage. 

Always keep these tips in mind. They can be of great help to you in protecting your carpet from getting damaged further.