Dog trainers are frequently asked, “Why Do Chihuahuas Burrow Under Blankets?” by owners of Chihuahuas. Most likely, they have witnessed their chihuahua hiding beneath blankets whenever possible.
This burrowing tendency can be seen on your couch under certain coats or even in a bed beneath the covers. This habit causes some owners to worry that they should take their Chihuahua to the vet. The burrowing instinct of Chihuahuas, however, is typically not a reason for alarm.
You’re not the only one who has questioned why your Chihuahua prefers to crawl beneath blankets! When a person gets their first Chihuahua, they frequently ask themselves this question. Let’s examine some Chihuahua trivia and the causes of their burrowing behavior.
Advertisement
CHIHUAHUAS LIKE TO BURROW: WHY?
Your Chi may burrow for a variety of reasons. Dogs naturally prefer to sleep in compact areas, so this type of behavior is seen in all dog breeds. The progenitors of the Chihuahua dog would have dug tunnels to stay warm, hide from wolves, and give birth to pups.
A veterinarian can evaluate any health issues that may be connected to this behavior. Let’s take a closer look at this inclination to see why Chihuahuas enjoy digging.
To Sustain The Body’s Temperature
According to the American Kennel Club, unless they reside in extremely warm climates, small dogs and toy group dogs all tend to become chilled. They can become chilly even if your house has air conditioning.
Examine the coats of other dogs, such as Border Collies, and your Chihuahua. Between them, there is a clear difference. You may find that your Chihuahua burrows beneath objects in various places around your house as a result of their thin coat.
The solution to this issue is to get a coat for your chihuahua. Dogs love wearing jackets, especially when it’s cold outside. They look cute. Your chihuahua will appreciate the added warmth, and your household will avoid sitting on it by mistake when it hides beneath pillows on the couch.
You can still take your Chi for walks or trips to the dog park in the winter when they have a dog coat on. Even in the warmer months of the year, every owner of a Chihuahua would attest that their pet loves the park far more while wearing a coat.
Elevated Metabolism
This is a typical aspect of owning a toy group dog. They have a high metabolism, hence they will typically be aloof and gregarious. Additionally, your chihuahua may eat more than your larger dogs!
One reason Chihuahuas feel cold easily is their rapid metabolism. Their limbs may get chilly because their bodies are exerting so much energy to digest things. During the day, Chihuahuas may hide under the covers of your beds or the pillows on your couch to warm their ears and legs.
Nobody save those who now own Chihuahuas is ready for all of the tiny spots their canines hide in. This habit, together with the physiological causes, will help you find your Chi in the smallest, most peculiar locations as you attempt to warm up!
You can take your dog to the veterinarian to ensure their well-being if you have any worries about their metabolism or general health. But if you discover your Chihuahua curled up beneath your bedclothes, it’s probably just your typical little pup warming up for some extra playtime!
Little Ears and Legs
Dogs’ burrowing habits are frequently linked to biological impulses that they sense out of instinct. Given their small legs and delicate ears, Chihuahuas are a great example of this. According to scientific theories, chihuahuas and other small dog breeds avoid frostbite and other injuries to their limbs by burrowing.
You will also hear from scientists that dogs are denning creatures. They burrow like foxes and other critters, according to this statement. The burrowing instinct has everything to do with survival, and it would be difficult to survive if you have frostbite on your toes!
This burrowing habit can be mitigated by crate training your Chihuahua since they will probably feel more comfortable nestled into a confined area under a blanket. It can be quite beneficial to teach your Chi to go to their box rather than hide out in your bedroom for several reasons.
It will be warmer in the crate for your Chihuahua dog, and you won’t have to search around for them! When it comes time to take your dog for a walk, any owner of a Chihuahua will tell you that this tactic helps to keep their pet in a safe location.
Illness
Although finding your Chihuahua curled up under pillows or covers is a common occurrence for owners, this cunning behavior may also be the result of a medical condition.
Because of the typical burrowing activity of Chihuahuas, this can be a difficult thing to determine. When they’re sick or cold, dogs usually find little areas to curl up in.
There are several ways to find out if your Chihuahua was in a tiny area under a blanket for a legitimate cause if you are unsure.
-
Feel Their Coat
Your Chi may feel dry or brittle if they have a major metabolic problem or are ill. Certain medical disorders might cause a dog’s coat to feel as coarse as sand at times. See a veterinarian for your Chihuahua if this is causing you any concern.
- To check if your dog is healthy, a veterinarian may advise you to examine these body parts first. This is because dogs often exhibit fever symptoms in these regions. You should also touch your dog’s nose and the pads of their feet. A fever may be indicated by your Chihuahua’s dry nose or heated feet.
Your Chihuahua may have been sleeping beneath the covers or pillows because of a fever, which can be associated with various ailments. Visiting the veterinarian can help eliminate this possibility or identify the true cause of your Chihuahua’s undercover sleeping situation.
-
Feel Their Legs and Belly
Chihuahuas can injure themselves when they jump up and down off of furniture since they have small legs and feet and are prone to back ailments. It is a known fact that occasionally a family member will tread on your Chihuahua, which could cause them to get sore on their toes.
Your Chihuahua may be hiding behind covers or cushions in your home as a means of attempting to recover from pain. Take them to the veterinarian to be examined if they growl or yip when you touch their bodily parts.
Anxiety or Fear
Being highly sensitive canines, chihuahuas occasionally burrow out of fear or anxiety. This may have something to do with the original motivation for the breeding of Chihuahuas.
The breed was first developed as a lapdog for warmth and company. It follows that babies are meant to be cuddled, held, and carried. Before owning a Chihuahua, not many people were aware of this fact.
Try carrying your Chihuahua dog more often and placing them on your lap if they are constantly curled up beneath the covers or clothes on the bed. Since these are creatures meant to be held near to your body, having them by your side will make them feel safer.
Some Chihuahua owners even purchase slings so they may carry their dogs about the home or take them on errands. They may be content enough in their wrap to stay there until they scent something very appetizing!
The best thing is that you will gain advantages from resolving this cause of your Chihuahua dog’s fear! Dogs make wonderful companions, and having a cuddly Chihuahua with you can improve your health and happiness as well!
New House
Chihuahuas may exhibit some nervousness while moving to a new location or getting adopted by a new family. For a little while, Chihuahuas worry about their new environment, and they may burrow during this period.
But as soon as they get confidence, they’ll revert to their terrier characteristics and act aggressively and domineeringly with your cats or other canines! Once they settle into their new surroundings, they won’t take long to become the dominant group.
You can gently entice your Chihuahua out of hiding if they have been hidden for more than a day and spend some time with them exploring the house. They have limited body fat, so they will appreciate you helping them stay warm as well as this introduction to their new home.
To Hide
Chihuahuas dig burrows to escape frightening situations. They exhibit many characteristics of terriers, but if they believe that someone in your home dislikes them, they may become frightened.
These dogs are delicate and dislike confrontation. This explains why they occasionally burrow when they feel uncomfortable around a person or other animals in the house. Some owners of chihuahuas find that this problem can be resolved by gradually reintroducing the other animals to the home.
It is important to properly address a Chihuahua’s fear of a person in their lives. When it comes to defending their family’s safety as well as their own, these tiny canines may be savage. They may be little, but they can pack a punch!
When training your Chihuahua to modify their opinion of someone they don’t like, be patient with them. Because of their previously indicated terrier tendencies, they may become quite defensive if they feel that they are being coerced.
Working with a Chihuahua instead of giving them commands is the main focus of training or teaching them. They occasionally have opinions about the individuals you do these things with because they want to be a part of whatever you do.
To Slumber
Not every Chihuahua has a lot of energy. Many of them enjoy sleeping in and lounging about all day. Your dog may be hiding behind covers, blankets, or garments all the time because they simply enjoy napping.
It’s important to rule out health issues as the reason for your dog’s excessive resting. But as any Chihuahua owner will tell you, some dogs just like a nice snooze. Though you can teach them to sleep in a certain spot, keep in mind that they will still have their preferences.
They prefer to slumber on their own, so you may need to be ready to their appearing in the most unlikely places. Owners of Chihuahuas frequently find this characteristic endearing rather than bothersome. It’s always a good surprise to find your dog curled up in your coat or under a blanket on the couch!
to Express Love
Because they usually view this person as the pack leader, Chihuahuas will frequently attach themselves to one person. They display their devotion and love for their leader by digging close to them when they feel loved.
Chis can accept different people, despite their propensity to stick with just one. Positive reinforcement is good in this training. It works best when the owner rewards the dog with treats as soon as they enter the room. Eventually, your Chihuahua will come to associate that person with incentives and will even come to accept them.
You should train your Chihuahua while she is young, though. They are highly receptive while they are young, which is why socialization is most effective.
Last Word
Knowing why Chihuahuas burrow demonstrates that it’s a natural behavior of theirs, a survival strategy derived from their wild forebears.
Accepting these innate tendencies can improve your pet’s comfort and pleasure by strengthening the link between you and them.
To respect this unique trait is not to permit disturbances in your house. There are many easy ways to satisfy your pet’s digging activities without sacrificing any room in your home.
In conclusion, it can be necessary to adjust at times when owning a burrowing Chihuahua. But this is all a part of the rich experience that comes with owning such an interesting breed.
To ensure that your Chihuahua is comfortable and happy and you don’t have to wonder why they burrow all the time. Be ready to take into account their natural tendencies, make some adjustments around your home, and invest some time in educating them.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
How Many Teeth Do Chihuahuas Have?
why do some chihuahuas have big eyes?
Advertisement
