Why Do Dachshunds Burrow Under Blankets? 3 Reasons & Care Tips
By Ashley Bates
Updated on
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If you own a Dachshund, there’s no shortage of entertainment in your household. This dog breed is notorious for being goofy little clowns, doing all kinds of adorable actions to match their long bodies and sweet-faced appearances.
If you have a Dachshund who loves burrowing down into blankets, you might wonder what in the world they’re doing. Luckily the answer is pretty simple and breed-specific. Let’s get down to brass tacks.
Dachshund History: Breed Purpose
The subject of a Dachshund burrowing in blankets really comes down to one reason—breed instinct. Dachshunds are a hunting breed found in Germany that went down into animal burrows to capture prey.
Their name literally translates to “badger hound,” their primary purpose being in Germany. When they came to the United States, they hunted rabbits and other small prey. So, most of their ancestral roots thrive in this behavior—so it’s no wonder the breed is still so prevalent.
The 3 Reasons Why Dachshunds Burrow Under Blankets
1. Instinct
It is your Dachshund’s natural instinct to want to burrow in the sheets. It sort of mimics the motions and process of digging through the ground—but a modernized version, of course. If they are destroying the blanket or furniture, it might become a troublesome thing for you, but it’s otherwise harmless.
2. Comfort
Because your long-body little dog loves to be in confined spaces, it makes perfect sense why they love snuggling up in a blanket as much as you do. Being snuggled in between a blanket in the bed might give them the sensation of safety and security.
3. Inclination to Work
Believe it or not, our spoiled pooches were once held to a pretty high standard. This has not been removed from their DNA. Your Dachshund still has an extreme capacity to work. Some individual Dachshund instincts might be higher than others, but it exists still.
If your Dachshund seems to burrow under your blankets, tunneling down and all around, but doesn’t plan on resting, it’s probably just something to keep them busy. Since you won’t go let them tunnel in the yard, they have to improvise in the home.
When is Burrowing Ever a Cause for Concern?
Burrowing is 100% natural for your Dachshund. Sometimes it can signal other behavioral issues that might not be something you’ve discussed with your veterinarian yet. Chances are, it’s an instinct and nothing more. But like everything else, use your best judgment.
We want to stress that this is no replacement for medical advice from your pooch’s personal doctor. But here are a couple of reasons why this behavior could become problematic.
1. Obsessive-Compulsive Burrowing
If your dog is a bit neurotic, it could be obsessive about burrowing. This behavior might be very repetitive in nature and may look like your dog is a bit out of control. If you find your dog obsessively burrowing, you might want to give them another outlet for their energy.
You can play many games outside that promote healthy tunneling behaviors without getting them completely dirty. But typically, if it becomes an issue, a general exercise mimicking burrowing behavior is enough to curb the desire.
2. Anxiety or Stress Behaviors
Anxiety comes with its own laundry list of symptoms. If you have a dog that seems on edge, burrowing might be comparable to a pacifier. They might enjoy the behavior because it gives them a sense of safety and security, as we mentioned above, but for different reasons.
The only real way to verify that your dog suffers from anxiety is to get a veterinarian’s diagnosis. Your vet might prescribe your dog anti-anxiety medication or make other suggestions on lifestyle changes. But you can definitely raise the concerns with your vet so they can monitor and advise from that point.
3. Destructive Tendencies
There is a chance that this particular habit can really be destructive. Your Dachshund’s nails can be very sharp and can rip through blankets, furniture, and other upholstery. If they are getting a little bit too aggressive with their digging, you’ll have to navigate this properly.
You can channel their energy in other directions, hopefully reducing the damage done. You can also extensively train them to have proper outlets and listen to verbal commands.
Top 3 Tips to Help Your Dachshund Feel Better
If you have a little burrower at home, we have a few ideas to keep them busy.
Get Their Own Blankets
If you have a Dachshund who loves to tunnel, you can get them their very own blankets to play in. You can put this in their bed, on the couch, or basically wherever your Dachshund loves to hang out. Having their own blanket might help them avoid burrowing in your blankets. Plus, it gives them a sense of ownership for their own belongings.
Buy a Proper Bed
Several beds on the market make your pet feel like they are enclosed. With Dachshunds being so small, you can even get cave-style beds with a tiny opening to where they can tunnel in and out as they wish.
Designate a Digging Area
If you don’t mind your dogs getting dirty every once in a while, you can make their own digging spot in the backyard. If they create their own tunnels or get out a little bit of that built-in behavior, it could curb the desire to burrow in blankets and doors.
This is not a fix-all. We must mention that this behavior could very well continue into the home. But it does give your dog a natural release for its natural and expected behaviors.
Best Products for Burrowing Dachshunds
You can scour the web for ideas to create a motivational space for your Dachshund to play. You can find tons of DIY projects and buy tunnels and other products to let them explore their desires. Amazon and Chewy have tons of items to choose from, but here is one of our favorites.
How about this cool doggy tunnel? We think something like this might definitely get the attention off your blankets!
Summing Up
Now you know that burrowing is wholly to be expected. It is something that you need to encourage. If you don’t like your Dachshund cuddling up inside of your blankets, you can take the proper steps to provide them with fun things to do at home.
If you think this behavior is coming from a place of anxiety, you can always try to understand why your dog might feel this way. Always nab the problem at the root.
Featured Image Credit: SM-BG, Shutterstock
