What's going on when a dog scratches the floor?

Dog scratching the floor may be due to several reasons:

Stress

If a dog is in a long-term state of anxiety, fear, or tension, it may exhibit behaviors such as scratching the floor, hiding, or barking loudly to release its tension. To help alleviate the dog's anxiety and stress, owners can try to provide more love and comfort, such as spending more time interacting and playing with the dog, increasing the frequency of outdoor walks, and allowing the dog to socialize with other dogs or humans.

Overgrown nails

If a dog's nails are too long, they may scratch the floor to grind them down. Owners should check their dog's nails and trim them appropriately if they are too long. Be careful not to cut too close to the bloodline to avoid bleeding. It is recommended to trim the dog's nails every one to two weeks to avoid inconvenience caused by overgrown nails.

Burying food

If the dog starts scratching the floor when it's being fed, it's likely trying to bury its food. This is a natural behavior in dogs, so there's no need to worry. To prevent the dog from scratching the floor, owners should promptly stop this behavior by using verbal commands or gestures for the dog to understand that it's not allowed. Once the dog improves, owners can reward it with verbal praise or small treats to reinforce the good behavior.

In general, it's essential to address the root cause of the dog's scratching behavior and provide appropriate care and training to help the dog overcome it. Consult a veterinarian or a professional dog trainer if the problem persists or worsens.