Zigzag<\/a> is a training app with a difference. Not only do we have a personalized training program that\u2019s based on your pup\u2019s age and developmental milestones, but we also make time for all those breed quirks that make terriers want to dig, and retrievers want to carry around anything they can. Not just that, we have a team of professional dog trainers<\/a> to help you along the way, so you\u2019re never alone and help is always just a click away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs scratch on the floor for a variety of reasons, including boredom or frustration, anxiety, attention-seeking behavior, wiping their feet, giving themselves a paw-dicure, separation-related problems, breed-specific behavior, or claiming something as theirs through scent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s dig in (pun intended) as to why dogs scratch the floor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pet dogs can often live pretty boring lives, far removed from what they were bred for, and what their normal physical exercise<\/a> and mental needs<\/a> might have been. If they\u2019ve got nothing to do then there\u2019s a tendency to go self-employed, so your dog might scratch at your floors for this reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Digging and scratching are both behaviors that can be related to anxiety and frustration because it makes your dog feel good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you only pay attention to your dog when they scratch your floor (because it’s annoying, right?), they may learn that scratching floors makes you notice them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if they scratched the floors in the first place for another reason, it can become a ‘learned behavior’ and continue even if the original motivation is no longer present!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs who have long claws may scratch the floor to relieve any discomfort or as a way to file them down <\/a>themselves. Yes, some dogs do like to give themselves a paw-dicure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog is a bit of a clean freak, or they have something sticky on their paws, they might scratch the floor in order to get any dirt off of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs have scent glands in their paws, so you\u2019ll often see them kick up grass<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n When out on a walk to leave their scent behind, your floors might seem no different, and your dog is just making sure that everyone knows the floors are their territory!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog is digging <\/a>and scratching at floors or carpets, and it only happens when you\u2019re not there, it can be a sign of separation-related<\/a> problems. This is known as displacement behavior and it occurs because it makes the dog feel good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a breed of dog that\u2019s bred to be a canine digging <\/a>machine such as a Jack Russell Terrier<\/a>, Dachshund<\/a> or other terrier or breed known for digging, then you will often find that they dig their beds<\/a> and blankets<\/a>, your flower beds, grass, and yes possibly your floors too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, most likely! Floors are not cheap; if your dog is damaging the floor, you should stop them. It’s also worth considering why they’re scratching the floor. If there is a behavioral issue or an emotional reason, we must do everything possible to keep our dogs happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a dog who scratches the floor, you\u2019ll want help in trying to stop it, right? Read our tips to prevent floor scratching in dogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget if you have a problem like this, you can reach out to our professional dog trainers<\/a> in the Zigzag app<\/a> for more detailed advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Figuring out the root cause of your dog\u2019s floor scratching (or any problem behavior<\/a>) will always be the best thing to do first, as that will determine how you \u2018fix\u2019 the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some dogs will prefer scratching at a particular place, especially carpets! If that\u2019s your dog, blocking access can often help break the habit. You could use a puppy playpen<\/a> or baby gate as an easy way to provide a barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog seems to be scratching to mark their territory, it may be that they\u2019re trying to cover up the scent of another animal who may have been (or peed!)<\/a> on the floor before. Clean the area with an enzyme spray (you\u2019ll find it at your pet shop) and see if that stops them from scratching the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think they\u2019re scratching the floor to try and wear down their nails, trim their claws<\/a>. You can use a pair of dog nail clippers, a rotary nail sander, or a nail file, or make them their own scratchboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our guide to dog nail clippers<\/a>, to choose the best for your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Inspect your dog\u2019s paws when you bring them in from walks <\/a>or they\u2019ve been out in the yard. Give their paws a clean, or pop them in the bath<\/a> and rinse them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puzzles<\/a> and interactive games<\/a> can provide easy ways to enrich a dog\u2019s day-to-day<\/a> life. Increasing physical exercise<\/a> if appropriate for their age, and planning short positive reinforcement training<\/a> sessions will help to lower stress, and decrease boredom and frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a breed of dog who loves to scratch and dig<\/a> at things, then giving them an outlet for this very normal behavior<\/a> is a great way to stop them from doing it in inappropriate places. Creating a digging pit or foraging box, as outlined in our training games library<\/a> will allow them to dig for America and save your floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The leave-it<\/a> cue can be used in the moment to stop your dog from scratching your floors. \u2018Leave it\u2019 means \u2018leave that I\u2019ve got something better for you\u2019, so give them a reward that takes their mind off of the scratching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to “leave it”, redirecting your dog onto a toy<\/a>, and giving them a chew<\/a> or stuffed Kong<\/a> when they go to scratch the floor, will distract them from doing it. Maybe. While floor scratching can be something dogs just do for amusement, it can also be a sign of stress, anxiety or frustration. Also, if they are scratching your floors to the extent of hurting their paws or causing extreme damage to your home, this isn\u2019t good! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re worried about floor scratching in dogs, it\u2019s worth seeking the help of a professional dog behaviorist who uses up-to-date positive methods<\/a> like those in the UK Dog Charter<\/a>. Has that scratched your itch and answered your question of why do dogs scratch the floor? Hope so! Scratching the floor serves several functions, it gives dogs a digging outlet, relieves stress, boredom or anxiety, acts as a way of marking territory or simply to wipe their feet or trim their nails.<\/a> You can stop your dog from scratching the floor by giving them digging outlets, reducing stress by ensuring their physical and mental needs are met, redirecting them onto something else like a toy or chew, and teaching them a reliable leave-it cue<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to learn more about funny behavior quirks your dog might have? How about why does my puppy lick my face<\/a>, or why does my puppy stop on walks?<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Download the Zigzag app<\/a> today, and you\u2019ll get access to more awesome content like this, and a personalized training program for your pup. On hand to answer those puppy questions 7 days a week is our team of professional puppy trainers<\/a>. They\u2019d love to hear from you and help you with any of your puppy-related concerns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"sleeping](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/scratch-1.png\")
Why do dogs scratch the floor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Boredom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Anxiety and Frustration <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Attention seeking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. To file their nails <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. To clean their paws <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Scent marking <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Separation Anxiety <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. They’re bred to do it <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Corgi](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/scratch-2.png\")
Should I stop my dog from scratching the floor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to stop dogs scratching the floor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Find out the cause of the floor scratching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If only a particular spot block access to that area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Clean the area well with a pet odor cleaner<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trim your dog’s nails <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Clean their paws <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give your dog things to do to prevent boredom or frustration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Provide an outlet for digging and scratching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Teach them to leave it <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Redirect them to something else<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check out our puppy training tips<\/a> article to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/scratch-3.png\")
Should I be worried that my dog is scratching the floor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If the behavior has just come on suddenly, then any behavior change is worth checking with your Vet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While scratching can be normal behavior<\/a>, it can also damage floors and cause problems in the home. Not exactly a decorative finish, is it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n