Dogs and their attachment to blankets go beyond just staying warm. For many dogs, including puppies and adult dogs, blankets provide comfort, warmth, and a sense of security. Let’s dive into the reasons why your furry friend loves their own blanket so much and how this behavior ties to their instincts and personality.
The Roots of Blanket Attachment: Puppies and Mothers
From the moment puppies are born, they seek warmth and comfort. Born blind and deaf, they rely on their mother dog and the cozy environment of the maternal den for security. Even as they grow, this early instinct continues, with blankets often serving as a stand-in for their mother’s presence.
For instance, puppies often knead or suckle their blankets, mimicking the comfort of nursing. This sucking behavior can persist into adulthood, especially in dogs separated from their mothers too early. A soft blanket becomes a symbol of security and calm, helping to relieve anxiety and promote relaxation.
Your Puppy's Ancestors Play A Big Role!
Yes, you read it right!
The strong bond that your puppy has with his warm blankie and the cozy beds blankets comes from the instinct your canine friend acquired from his early ancestors.
Before dogs evolved as domestic animals and humans started to provide them with warm beds and comfortable crates, these canines were raised in a maternal den.
A maternity den is simply a safe, cozy, well-protected place where the mother gave birth to puppies. Interestingly, puppies are born blind and deaf. They do not even open their eyes until they are two weeks old, and when they do, they cannot see clearly. So, before tiny pups could see and hear the world around them, this maternity den was their source of comfort and safety measure against external elements and potential predators. It’s their home for the first 10-12 weeks.
This centuries-old habit is still found in dogs and pups of today. They develop a sense of security and attachment with their crates and especially their blanket. Whenever your furry friend feels unhappy, anxious, or when he experiences new things around him, he will rush to grab his security blanket right away. A dog blanket works as his personal safe heaven!
Factors Influencing Dog Attachment to Blankets
Dogs, especially beloved breeds like Labrador Retrievers, naturally seek comfort and security in their environment. One way they do this is by snuggling up with their favorite blankets. Here are a few reasons why your pup might form a special bond with a blanket:
Texture and Sensory Delight: Dogs are sensitive to touch, and a soft, plush blanket can feel like pure heaven for them, offering a cozy spot to curl up and relax.
Scent Connection: With their incredible sense of smell, dogs can pick up on familiar scents. A blanket that smells like you can bring them comfort and a sense of safety.
Positive Associations: Dogs learn through experience. If a blanket is often there during stressful times, they’ll start to link it with feelings of calm and security.
Unique Personalities: Every dog has its quirks. For loving breeds like Labs, the desire for comfort and connection may make them particularly drawn to their favorite blankets.
The Comfort of Blankets
Many dogs, including purebred dogs like the labrador breed, are drawn to soft surfaces for warmth and security. Blankets provide a familiar scent that can help reduce anxiety, particularly for rescue dogs or those from high-energy breeds that may need extra comfort.
Labrador retriever personality traits, such as their friendly and affectionate nature, make them particularly prone to seeking out cozy spots. You may notice that your labrador retriever loves to burrow under blankets, especially on colder days. This behavior is not only endearing but also rooted in their instincts as dogs.
Additionally, the dog's age plays a significant role in blanket preference. Puppies and older dogs often seek warmth and comfort in blankets, making them feel safe in their environment.
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The Blanket Carries Your Scent!
We all know that phrase, “A dog is a man's best friend." This is yet another reason why your buddy loves to wrap himself up in his blanket.
A dog’s ability to evaluate smell is 40 times higher than humans, and the blanket you bought for your pet carries your scent. So, with the blanket around him, your puppy feels calm and relaxed when you are not around him. Also, your pup may feel lonely when you suddenly get busy. In such a situation, a comfy dog blanket provides them reassurance and companionship.
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It Brings Warmth, Especially during Winters
Letting your dog play and sleep on wooden floors and tiles, especially during winters, will definitely make your delicate little friend get sick. Therefore, experts recommend using blankets for puppies to provide warmth and comfort to your furry friend during freezing weather and chilly nights.
Like humans, dogs also feel cold, and their furry coat is not enough to protect them when the temperature falls below 40° Fahrenheit (4° Celsius). So, when your dog is indoors, he prefers the warmth of his blanket rather than your favorite couch!
Moreover, whenever a dog is anxious and stressed, he tries to retreat into a familiar environment. Giving your pup a bed and a soft blanket is like giving them a perfect kit for handling stress. Once he buries himself into the blanket, he will feel relieved and at ease.
Maybe Your Pup Is Teething!
If you have adopted a puppy who is not yet an adult dog, this might be a possibility. Puppies, like human babies, get agitated when the teething phase kicks in. So, they roam around the house, clenching their blankie into their teeth. They rub the fluffy smooth security blanket into their gums for a soothing effect as it helps them relax.
It Feels and Smells Familiar
Dogs are born with an extremely sharp sense of smell. Their small nose contains about 300 million olfactory receptors, making it many times sensitive and advanced enough to smell familiar scents. Moreover, dogs have a condition called neophilia. This makes the dog more excited when they sense new and interesting smells around them.
With such a powerful nose, your canine friend can easily detect the friendly smell coming from his blanket as the blanket can have different familiar smells. Besides your pup himself, the fabric may also contain the scent of his mother. So, whenever your young pup feels worried and senses danger, the blanket becomes his first safe place to rush to.
He Is Just Having Fun!
If your pooch parades in the house with his blanket wrapped around his body, he might be having fun in his own way. He may hide in his blanket, curl up in it, or bring it to the TV lounge to enjoy a movie night with you. After all, he has the right to stay warm, eat popcorn and enjoy the time of his life!
Dog Breeds and Blanket Attachment
While any dog can form an attachment to a blanket, certain breeds may be more inclined to this behavior due to their specific characteristics and temperaments.
Labrador Retriever Temperament
Labrador retrievers are renowned for their friendly, outgoing, and loyal nature. These social dogs thrive on interaction with their human family members and are often described as “velcro dogs” because they love to stay close by. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them highly trainable and adaptable.
When it comes to blanket attachment, labrador retrievers may be particularly prone to forming strong bonds with their blankets. Their loyal and affectionate nature means they often seek out comfort and security, and a familiar blanket can provide just that. Whether it’s the scent of their owner or the tactile comfort of the fabric, labrador retrievers may find blankets to be a source of reassurance and warmth.
Texture and Sensory Experience
The way a blanket feels can really affect how much a dog loves it. Dogs have a keen sense of touch and often respond to different textures in their own special way. Here are some blanket types that dogs tend to find extra cozy:
Soft and Plush Blankets: These are perfect for snuggling! Their soft surface makes for a comforting spot that dogs just can’t resist, especially when they’re looking for warmth and a sense of safety.
Fleece Blankets: With their fuzzy texture, fleece blankets create a lovely sensory experience. Many dogs find these blankets comforting, making them a go-to favorite for cozy moments.
Sherpa Blankets: These thick, plush blankets are like a warm hug. Dogs that love to burrow will especially enjoy the inviting texture of Sherpa, which gives them a sense of security.
By knowing what makes a blanket special for our furry friends, pet owners can really tune into their needs. Whether it’s a soft blanket or one that smells like home, these little comforts can greatly enhance a dog’s happiness and well-being.
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How to Encourage Blanket Behavior in Your Dog? Understanding Labrador Retriever Traits
If your pup has begun to carry your gifted blanket around the house, do encourage this behavior because your pooch friend is simply following his instincts. He is just making his crate a safe place to crash at night and feel calm during stressful situations.
Besides, if you just adopted a newborn pup, you can ask the shop owner to season the blanket with the mother's smell. This will allow your pup to feel safe and comfortable in his new surroundings.
And if you wish to develop the blanket behavior in your adult dog, use one containing your smell. Place some treats on the dog blanket and when your dog sits down on the fabric, treat him with a bowl of dog cereal. This way, he will get familiar with the blankie and start using it whenever he craves your attention.
Conclusion
Understanding why dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers, one of the most popular dog breeds, love dog blankets helps pet owners provide a comfortable and loving environment for their furry friends. Whether you’re welcoming a labrador puppy or have an adult dog, offering them cozy dog blankets can enhance their happiness and well-being. By recognizing the importance of this simple comfort, you can nurture your dog’s instincts and provide them with the warmth they crave. So next time you see your dog snuggled up in their blanket, know that you’re contributing to their sense of security and happiness.
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