Our miniature long haired chocolate dapple Dachshund has a habit of sratching usually about 2-4 miniutes on the surface where he is about to sleep for the night.He sleeps in bed with me,and he scratches on the sheets.Our female 'Red-Piebald does not turn in circles or scratch at all.She lays down instantly.By scolding him will this cause more of a nervous reaction to this?This male dog loves to dig holes in the beach sand.He digs about 16 inches deep.His father is a Canadian champion and I wonder if this habit is in fact a trait that this strain of dogs have inherited?

The scratching is a natural bedding thing. Just because the dog doesn't do the circle thing means it just that dogs style. When the scratch starts, just gently tap her on the side of the neck behind the ear and just do a short shsh when tapping no words are necessary. Dogs do sounds not words. Plus the sshh is better and easier to show less emotions of anger. What the fingers do is what a pack dog would have done to it if that dogs behavior wasn't acceptable to the pack. Its how they talk to let the other dog know NO.
Be very calm and assertive. The hand simulates the other dogs bite and when the tap is done it snaps your dog brains out of the scratch. It like a HAY what was that and were did that come from. She will look at you and try to scratch again and do it again. Believe me if you do this right she will figure out 2+2 together. If you want to know more about dog behavior the site below is what you could use
Happy trails!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dog%20whisper&search=Search&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&spell=1

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