our 11 week Maltese/shih-tsu mix puppy constantly makes...

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Question by karin1701
Submitted on 11/15/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Your New Puppy FAQ
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our 11 week Maltese/shih-tsu mix puppy constantly makes rapid digging and scratching on her beds (one on the floor and one in our bed), not necessarily before sleeping. is this a throw-back behavior? looking for cool spots, warming the area? this activity can go on for 15 minutes or more. is this a neurosis? she does it when we are all in the room together, so we don't think it's loneliness or fright... any ideas?

Answer by Annie
Submitted on 2/7/2004
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Hi, Max is a five year old Shih Tsu and he does the same thing. He even totally destroyed his cushion (it was "snowing" fiber fill in the living room once when he finally broke through the cover and kicking it out everywhere). He likes to dig and then he will roll around on his back in his bed and then konks out spread eagle on his back for a quick snooze. I think it is just a fun thing to do. I don't think that it has any specific indication. My friend has two Yorkies and they also do it from time to time (less often than Max). Enjoy your puppy, she must be very cute. That is a nice mix. Annie

Answer by Hales
Submitted on 4/22/2004
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my 1 year old shih tsu does this too. i don't think it's anything serious. he just likes to make his bedding comfortable!

Answer by Mamern
Submitted on 6/6/2004
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My SHIH-TSU HAS DESTROYED THREE CHAIRS IN MY HOME. THEY ALL HAD FOAM RUBBER UNDER COVERING.I HAD A BORDER/SPITZ MIX THAT DID NOT LIKE FOAM RUBBER. I THINK IT IS BECAUSE OF THE HEAT IT RADIATES??? ANYWAY I LOVE MY VERY SPOILED LITTLE MAI-LING SO I JUST CLOSE OFF PARTS OF THE HOUSE THAT COULD BE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND COVER UP HER BAD HABITS...EVEN KIDS ARE DESTRUCTIVE-PUPPY LOVE!

Answer by pug lover
Submitted on 8/3/2004
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Actually this bx is doing 2 different things. The puppy is keeping its nails filed and it is spreading out the cotton/fibers to make the bedding more comfortable

Answer by Cori
Submitted on 8/6/2004
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I had a Maltese Shih-Tsu mix who did the scratching thing on his bed before bedtime up until I had to put him to sleep when he was 14. I think it's a "getting the bed ready" thing. He would also do it on the sofa, so I ended up putting a cover on the sofa that he couldn't scratch through. In fact, my Lhasa does the same pre-bedtime scratching/arranging routine now with a towel I put in his crate, arranging the bumps to suit him. Don't know if he learned that behavior from his brother or if he also has that gene :-)

Answer by LmtdSlip
Submitted on 8/18/2004
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Our Shih Tsu ruined our sofa a chair and ottoman...I think just for fun. It must feel goog to bite and pull at the fabric and foam. Our dog does the scratching thing as well but it hasnt been destructive and dosent seem to be related to any other issues.

Answer by DEBORAH
Submitted on 11/1/2004
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I HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH OUR SHIH TSU, BABY. SHE DOES THIS WHEN SHE IS TRYING TO GET COMFORTABLE IN OUR BED BEFORE GOING TO SLEEP. THEN LOTS OF TIME SHE SLEEPS ON HER BACK SPREAD-EAGLE TOO. SHE'S SUCH A JOY TO US. WE ALSO HAVE TWO BOXERS, A CHOC LAB, A MALE CAT, AND A MALE RABBIT. IT REALLY KEEPS UP BUSY KEEPING THEM ALL HAPPY. THEY ALL HAVE SUCH WONDERFULLY FUNNY PERSONALITIES. ENJOY YOUR LITTLE BLESSINGS! SINCERELY, DEBORAH

Answer by Soraya
Submitted on 12/15/2004
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I have a 1 1/2 Shihtzu and she does the same thing. She likes to roll around while making a growling sound then she like to jump on the sofa and dig like crazy then she lies down or takes off to play with her toys. I don't think it should be a concern. It may fun for them..

Answer by cindy l
Submitted on 1/9/2005
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i have a 5 month old male malti-tsu. he's kind of psycho. he barks and growls at us and bites our ankles and will NOT tolerate the hair dryer after bath......help!!!!1oh he also likes to eat his poop.

Answer by SHARC
Submitted on 6/17/2005
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MY 4 MTHS OLD MOCHA ALSO BEHAVES THE SAME WAY. ESPECIALLY AT THE DOORS, OR THE CORNERS OF THE FLOOR.

Answer by Nickie
Submitted on 6/18/2005
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My 11 yr old Shih Tsu has always done that. He comes up on the bed with me about 10:00 pm & does the scratching, rolling & growling thing. Sometimes he does that out on the couch while we are watching TV. I just figure he is being goofy. He has never torn up any furniture but sure can tear up some of his toys in a hurry. Don't worry, it is just her way of having fun. Nickie

Answer by billg
Submitted on 8/9/2005
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One of my dogs scratch the bed incessantly before retiring. I think she is making bed more comfortable...

Answer by dog lover
Submitted on 10/12/2005
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My dog Pascal does it. He's already 2 and he's a shih tsu. I think it's normal.

Answer by Marcia
Submitted on 11/30/2005
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Oh my! I am picking up my new shih tsu baby this weekend, she is 8 weeks old.. please tell me how you stopped this behavior

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Answer by Shortsyde
Submitted on 12/21/2005
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My Shih Tsu is also Mai Ling. She loves to dig especially if I am not at home. She always digs in her bed before finding just the right spot to fall asleep.

Answer by Stacy
Submitted on 3/26/2006
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they do that to look for pests.. like cockroaches and mice; rats..

Answer by cdadair1
Submitted on 7/14/2006
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My maltese does this too.

Answer by Skydiver
Submitted on 11/3/2006
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I thought I was the only one with a shih tsu that has this habit. He also turned his bed around and destroyed the foam from below. He has a bigger bed now, and he bites it and pulls, destroying the foam even without access to it.