25 Effective Ways to Stop Your Dog Digging The Furniture

Note: Never yell at your dog. It can create another behavioral issue. Find out more about why you don’t want to yell at your dog in this article.

Budget tip:
Curtailing your furry buddy's need to dig in unwanted areas, keeps them safe and saves your furniture and home from destruction. It may take a bit of time and effort to change the digging behavior, but in the end it's a major win-win for you and your dog. 

Why Do I Need to Stop My Dog From Digging?

While it may be funny to watch your pup dig a hole in a chair or couch you’ve given them, there are reasons to curtail this destructive behavior. The reasons include:

Furniture damage. Your pup may dig on your friend’s new couch thinking it’s acceptable. 

Injuries. Your pup could dig through the springs and become injured. Or your buddy could eat the fabric or stuffing and experience a bowl blockage. Both can be serious injuries and result in very pricey vet bills. 

Hygiene. If your pup is digging and exposing mice it can become a health issue. It’s better to relocate the mice or critters than to have your buddy or your family have health issues. 

Bad habits encourage bad habits. If you allow your pup to dig on the furniture, then this can escalate to digging through doors or other property resulting in injuries and more cost to replace or repair the items. 

What are the reasons for my dog digging into my furniture?

No, it’s not that your dog hates your taste. It’s a bit deeper. 

Inhibiting or preventing all digging, without understanding and dealing with the dog’s motivation could result in new behavior problems such as chewing, excessive vocalization, or escape behaviors. ~ VCA Hospitals

These are the top reasons why your dog is digging your furniture and a few solutions:

Bored or a tired dog

Solution: More exercise, mental stimulation games, doggie daycare, dog training, playdates, or a dog walker.

Anxiety

This includes separation anxiety and scared of noises like fireworks, wind, or thunder.

Solution: Create safe spots in your home, heartbeat toy, calming sounds, and calming supplements.

Too much energy 

Solution: Again, more walks, hikes, agility training, doggie daycare, playdates, or a dog walker 

Pain 

If your pup is experiencing pain in any form, including long nails or arthritis it can induce a need to dig.

Solution: Talk with your vet for hidden pain issues, use arthritis-soothing aids, and keep your pup’s nails tidy.

Hiding or hunting

Your pup may love to hide or hunt for hidden toys, treats, or dog food which could mean digging your furniture.

Solution: Teach boundaries and provide a digging pit. Also, some commands such as “let it go” or “let it be” can be effective.

Nose radar

Your dog’s sense of smell is 100,000 times stronger than your abilities. This means your pup could be chasing after prey or small animals like bugs or even mice while digging. Also, your buddy could smell a potato chip that fell under the cushions and digging is a way to reach what’s a yummy treat. 

Solution: Keep furniture covers and pillows clean. Also, mitigate bugs or critters.

Territorial 

Solution: Again, teach boundaries and use commands “let it go” or “let it be.” A pet-friendly deterrent can be helpful. Also, dog or baby gates can save your furniture. 

Nesting 

If you have a female dog she may exhibit unwanted digging in furniture as she prepares for her puppies to be born.

Solution: Provide a comfy bed and soft space where nesting is permitted

Making a comfortable spot 

Solution: Provide a comfy bed near or even on the couch.

Soothing 

Much like a child clinging to their favorite blanket or sucking their thumb, digging could be a form of self-soothing.

Solution: Provide a safe spot, a heartbeat toy, calm background noise, and/or a calming supplement.

Habit 

Your furry friend could learn couch digging from another buddy or simply a habit of your pup. Henry started digging to bury his food after spending time with his pupmate who learned it while in foster care.

Solution: Redirect your pup with a toy or treat, and use the commands “let it go” or “let it be”. Additionally, training your dog to know boundaries is helpful. Also, more unique ways like an upside-down carpet runner, aluminum foil, or double-sided tape on your couch or chair can be effective. If you want to keep your buddy off the furniture permanently, then you can try a DIY pet-friendly deterrent. 

Need for attention

Your buddy may be doing what a lot of kids do and doing something naughty to gain attention so they can play or engage with you or other furry family members.

Solution: Add more play and snuggle time to your day. Even a frozen treat or mind game can be effective. 

Temperature regulation

If your buddy is too hot? Then digging may be a result of trying to find a cooler spot. Keep in mind that your temperature gauge probably doesn’t match your pup’s gauge. That means if your home is warm in the winter or summer, your pup may seek a cooler spot. Of course, some pups, like a furry husky may naturally love the cold weather and environment.

Solution: Try a cooling vest or frozen treat such as a frozen stuffed Kong toy. 

Note: If your pup is chewing on your furniture, it could be due to teething as well. In this case, try a frozen chew toy.

Ways to Stop Your Dog from Digging Furniture

There are many ways to stop your pup from digging your furniture. While you may have discovered a solution above that works with the reason for your pup digging, here is a complete list by category.

Training & Behavior Modification

1. Redirect their unwanted digging to an appropriate, digging zone, digging pit, or designated digging area.
2. Use positive reinforcement with high-reward treats, pets, and voice cues (I tell Henry “good boy”) to encourage better behavior.
3. Train the commands “leave It”, “let it go,” “stop,” or “off” can be a game-changer. Specifically, these commands are invaluable for breaking focus and redirecting attention to a better spot.
   For example, I use “let it go” with Henry when he tries to dig into a bunny hole outside. It’s also handy to get him to stop barking. However, a young dog may simply need basic puppy training. 
4. Provide mental stimulation through puzzles and interactive toys. Even if your pup doesn’t like toys, mental stimulation aids are helpful. Henry loves his lick mats, which are very helpful. 
5. Address anxiety triggers with calming aids, desensitization techniques, or even a heartbeat toy, and provide a safe spot for your pup to retreat. 

Physical & Environmental Adjustments

6. Increase daily exercise with walks, playtime, or agility training. If you don’t have the time for more exercise then consider a dog walker or even doggie daycare. Henry loves doggie daycare and he always comes home exhausted and too tired to do much besides eat dinner. 
7. Give them a dedicated digging area such as a digging pit or designated area in your yard. Henry has a few spots on the property he is allowed to dig and he enjoys them all.
8. Use furniture covers or a deterrent spray to keep your pup off the couch or protected from digging.
9. Wash furniture covers and pillows. Remove all bits of food, loose dirt, and traces of vermin.
10. Rearranging furniture can act as digging deterrents. For example, if your pup jumps on the couch with a toy from their nearby toy box, move the toy box. 
11. Block off areas with baby or pet gates or install other physical barriers, such as closing a room door.
12. Teach your dog boundaries and to stay out of a certain room or off the furniture.
13. Keep your pup’s nails trimmed and address any joint or pain issues.
14. Regular dog grooming can help keep allergies in check.
15. Use a plastic carpet runner placed nub side up to deter digging.
16. Place aluminum foil on the couch or chair as a deterrent.
17. Use double sticky tape to make attempting an unpleasant experience.
18. Make sure your pup isn’t too hot. Often a cooling vest can help. Or if your buddy is cold try a sweater. 

Distraction & Alternative Comfort Sources

19. Providing a cozy bed in a calm spot can ease nesting behaviors
20. Rotate their toys to keep your pup engaged more.
21. Use calming scents such as lavender or even pheromone diffusers to reduce stress.
22. Provide frozen treats, long-lasting chews, or stuffed (and frozen) Kong toys to keep them occupied.
23. Use white noise, calming music, or TV to provide a more soothing environment and ease anxiety.

Addressing Underlying Issues

24. Check with your vet to address possible allergies, skin irritations, joint pain, or other discomfort issues. 
25. Consult a professional dog trainer or pet behaviorist if all other solutions have failed.

NOTE: Always supervise your pup when you’re attempting to change behavior and reward with treats, pets, and verbal cues when your buddy does what you desire.

Is there a certain dog breed that is more prone to digging?

Yes, some dog breeds may be couch potatoes while others will want to dig a hole to plant a potato in your couch. If you have any of the following breeds, you may have a DNA certified digging dog:

• Terrier, including Jack Russell Terrier
• Husky, including Siberian Husky
• Shepherd
• Hound
• Collie, including Border Collie
• Schnauzer
• Dachshund
• Beagle

How can solving my dog’s furniture digging save me money?

While you may think that resolving the digging simply saves your furniture. That is true, but it can save other future expenses as well. Consider the following for a moment:

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Doggone it! My dog is digging on my couch again!

While it can be frustrating to see your pup unwanted digging and attempting to destroy your pricey furniture, there are reasons for the behavior. Once you discover why you can begin to mitigate the issue. 

For example, my dog, Henry will occasionally dig my couch. However, I know when he does it’s because either he has too much energy or he has anxiety. Thus, when he has burnt off all his energy with a long walk, hike, or doggie daycare, he’s not interested in digging. 

Additionally, if he’s stressed, I turn on his heartbeat toy, put his covered crate near me, and give him a calm treat, and his desire to dig is gone. 

Thus, all you need to do is figure out why (or ask your vet or pet behaviorist for assistance) and then implement the best solution for your pup. Don’t pull your hair out or yell at your pup, there is a solution!