Why Dogs Love to Destroy Sofas: The Unraveling Mystery!

Instincts

Once upon a time, it was widely believed that wolves were the ancestors of dogs. However, recent research has overturned this theory. Scientists now propose that wolves and dogs share a common ancestor.

As a result, both wolves and dogs maintain consistency in many aspects, including their bedtime routines.

Wolves have very specific requirements for their dens. They must be soft, comfortable, and ideally, warm. If these conditions are not met, wolves will take matters into their own paws and create a den of their own.

Clearly, dogs do not need to make their own cozy den. Besides the various dog beds provided by their owners, the living room sofa is often the most comfortable nest for them.

While there are many types of sofas, it is evident that the more expensive ones are particularly favored by dogs. This is because price equals comfort, softness, warmth, and breathability – qualities that dogs seek.

Comfort

Do you pat your pillow before going to sleep? This action helps to relax the cotton inside, making for a more comfortable sleep. Dogs do the same; when they have settled on their den, they will use methods like stepping on it, scratching it, and turning it to make their nest more comfortable.

There is also a theory that dogs engage in this behavior to better hide themselves in the harsh, survivalofthefittest world outside.

Regardless of the reason, this behavior does not need to be stopped or corrected.

Why do some dogs not treat the sofa with the gentleness described above? Here are some possible explanations:

1. Boredom

Especially when you are not at home, the sofa is more likely to be damaged. For dogs, digging into the sofa is an easy and energetic way to pass the time when they are lonely.

2. Feedback

Dogs have a reward feedback mechanism in their brains, and these rewards can be more than just food; they can also be the foam inside the sofa.

In any case, once a dog has chewed through the sofa, especially those with a strong sense of curiosity, they will consider the sofa as an object that can be rewarded through effort.

Don't think that playing with foam is boring; from a dog's perspective, these soft, light, and increasingly abundant materials are incredibly fascinating.

3. Scent

We often say that dogs are highly sensitive to smells.

So, why would a dog attack the sofa for the scent? There are many possibilities. It could be that the sofa carries the scent of their favorite person. Or perhaps the residual smell from your apocrine glands is driving them wild.

How to correct this behavior?

If the dog is only doing this to make their sleep more comfortable, there is no need to correct it.

If the dog is attacking the sofa for other reasons, here are some suggestions:

1. Distract the dog's attention

2. Exhaust the dog's energy

3. Clean the sofa regularly

4. And of course, consider purchasing a new sofa.