Why Does My Dog Sleep Under My Bed: Common Reasons
Many pet owners have come up with the question: why does my dog sleep under my bed?
You hear movement under your bed as you start to awaken from sleep. You wonder what it could be based on the breathing and shuffling. At first, you speculate that it might be a rat or other creature of that nature, but as the breathing becomes more audible, you realize it is simply your dog. She appears to have taken up residence under your bed. She won’t leave her tiny space beneath your mattress, despite your best efforts to coax her out of there. You can provide your dog with better care in times of need if you comprehend why she hides in cramped areas.
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About Dog Psychology Related To Dens
Even though they have been domesticated, dogs still have some wolf instincts. The way that dogs respond to outside stimuli is influenced by some of these traits.
Dogs are not true den animals like wolves, but rather creatures that seek safety in dens. Dens are not used as long-term homes by wolves. Instead, they use dens to protect their young or as a haven from inclement weather.
Because dog mothers occasionally create dens for their young, dogs may connect enclosed spaces with the safety and security they experienced with their mother when they were puppies.
Dogs frequently hide under beds and other furniture, which is not unusual. Dogs enjoy the security of a closed-off “den” and may look for one if they are distressed, ill, or afraid. The confinement may give the dog a sense of security.
The Reason Why My Dog Sleeps Under The Bed
Your dog might be taking a nap under your bed for a number of reasons. It’s crucial to ascertain the cause if sleeping under the bed is a new behavior.
Want Privacy
Because it wants privacy, a dog will occasionally choose to sleep under a bed. Having a private space might make your dog feel more at ease if your home is busy or has undergone changes. Your dog may find a tranquil, cozy, and reliable sleeping environment under the bed.
Afraid Of Something
Your dog might be using the area under your bed as a hiding place if it is scared of something. They might be using the area under the bed as a secure hiding place if it’s raining, noisy outside or in the house, they hear fireworks, or if someone new just moved in.
I use a calming voice to try to calm down my dog when it’s scared of something. Your dog may come out from under the bed if the frightening object is taken away.
Sick Or Hurt
Your dog may be hiding to avoid feeling bad. When they don’t know why they’re not feeling well, being under your bed gives them some sense of comfort. A visit to the vet should be on your to-do list if you can’t think of any other obvious causes for them to be suddenly sleeping under your bed.
Other indications that your dog is ill or in pain include:
- Snarling and growling
- Snapping at you or others
- Hiding somewhere you cannot reach
- Being lethargic
- Losing their appetite
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Peeing and pooping indoors
Why do some dogs sleep on top of us while others rest at our feet?
Have Something Or Have Done Something They Shouldn’t
Dogs are capable of recognizing when they have acted inappropriately. They frequently hide out of embarrassment or to commit an act of shame. It’s possible that your dog is hiding a stash of prohibited items under the bed if they are sleeping there.
If your dog decides one day that they no longer want to sleep next to you, take this into consideration.
My dog was discovered chewing on a favorite pair of leather shoes under my bed. However, it’s more serious if they’ve stowed a bag of taboo M&Ms under the bed.
Environment Is Stressful
Do you host visitors, have a lot of kids running around the house, a new pet, or a new resident? When there is a lot of change or activity, some dogs become stressed and prefer to sleep under the bed or hide under furniture.
Other indications that your dog may be stressed include:
- Chewing their paws
- Panting
- Destroying things
- Trying to escape
Due to his introversion, my dog needs to withdraw in order to relax. When your dog is finished with playtime and social interactions, it may retreat under the bed to rest.
Want To Be Close To You
Your dog may be sleeping under the bed if you don’t let them sleep on the bed because they don’t like to be left alone. If the dog comes after you as soon as you get out of bed, it might have chosen to sleep next to you in the area under your bed.
Feel Safe
Some dogs like to spend the entire night under the bed for the same reasons that a dog might seek shelter there during a storm: that’s where they feel safe. Dogs frequently enjoy spending time in their crates because they feel secure when they are surrounded, which is why so many of them do. It might also feel more secure to be in the bedroom rather than a different, busier room of the house where you might feel more exposed.
Comfortable
It’s possible that your dog has tried sleeping in different locations throughout the house and this one is the coziest. They might enjoy being close to you but not enjoying sharing the bed and want their own space. This could be because the carpet under the bed is particularly plush, the temperature and lighting are ideal, or both. Perhaps the most comfortable place for them to be would be under the bed.
And the reason it’s under your bed and not another bed in the house is obvious – you! Your presence is another thing that makes your dog feel good, whether it’s being close to you at night or just being close to your scent when it’s taking a nap during the day.
Doesn’t Have A Spot Of Their Own
Your dog may sleep under your bed for a number of reasons, one of which is that they lack a place of their own. Since they don’t have their own “spot,” they’ll find another location within the home, even if it seems a little odd to you (like under the bed!).
Give them a space that is exclusively theirs, whether it be a dog bed that is cozy and spacious enough for them to sprawl out on, like these dog beds by Snoozer, or a crate that has a dog crate pad inside.
It’s A Illness, Fear, Stress, Or Anxiety
Don’t immediately rule out the possibility that your dog’s under-the-bed sleeping is a result of illness, fear, anxiety, or stress despite the fact that there are four good reasons for this behavior. To help you figure it out, consider these queries:
– Has your dog’s behavior recently changed? For instance, does it now prefer to sleep under your bed when previously it preferred to sleep somewhere else?
– Have you noticed any cues, such as certain sounds or people, that cause your dog to bolt under the bed?
– Do you notice any other symptoms in your dog that might indicate illness, fear, or anxiety, such as pacing, excessive drooling, whining, lethargy, or anything out of the ordinary?
Inform your veterinarian of your worries if you believe there might be a more serious problem causing your dog to frequently sleep under the bed.
Sleeping Habits
Your question, “Why does my dog sleep under my bed?” should now be answered, hopefully.” There is no reason to stop your dog from sleeping under your bed as long as they are healthy both physically and mentally and you don’t mind their amusing sleeping behavior.
A Dark & Cozy Location
The fact that your bed is a dark, comfortable space that most dogs prefer to be in is another important factor in your dog sleeping or hiding there. Dogs are “den animals,” and they enjoy snoozing in dark places, such as crates and doghouses, to feel safe and secure.
We have a Labrador who enjoys exploring small, enclosed spaces in the dark and quiet. He once climbed inside a display of dog beds in a pet shop to scurry underneath them and into the back of the shelf, where he found a dark spot to hide.
Dogs enjoy snoozing tucked away in small spaces where they can curl up into a circle. Your Labrador may choose to sleep in a corner or with their backs against a wall rather than in the open in the middle of the room.
In search of a darker and cozier environment, they might also prefer to sleep underneath other pieces of furniture, such as chairs, tables, or desks.
Every dog is unique, and while many dogs enjoy cuddling, some dogs prefer to sleep alone without being bothered or disturbed by humans or other dogs, especially if you have a household with multiple dogs.
Your Labrador may choose to sleep under your bed because it offers the dark, comfortable space they prefer, away from most of the sounds of the rest of the house, making it less likely that they will be awakened while they sleep.
Playfulness Or Excitability
The excitement and playfulness they experience while engaging in activities like playing with or evading another dog may cause your Lab to hide under your bed.
If you live with more than one Lab, you’re probably used to seeing your dogs chase, jump on, and run around your house and yard.
Dogs will occasionally chase one another while playing, and the best place for one dog to hide is under a person’s bed.
When another dog is chasing them, an agitated Labrador might hide under the bed. Other times, a Labrador may sleep under the bed to take up residence in a space that is not shared with another dog.
When playing with other dogs, Labradors have been known to hide under the bed, eventually dozing off there. It can be a sign to the other dog that they’re “done playing” and ready for a break if one dog stays under the bed and doesn’t immediately come out.
Recognize when your dogs are worn out from playing or overly excited to prevent problem behaviors. Also, keep an eye out for signs that your dogs need a break from being around people and other dogs.
Familiar & Comforting Smells
Your bed offers your dog a cozy, dark, and familiar environment in addition to its familiar scents. One of your dog’s strongest senses is smell, and your scent will draw your dog to you and keep them there.
Your dog may sleep underneath your bed (or under your sheets) to keep your scent with them while they are napping because your bed and sheets will carry your scent. They find the smell to be soothing!
They might look for places in your house that have the most of your scent in them, like your clothes, bedding, and shoes. Even on top of a heap of your dirty laundry in the hamper, Labradors have been known to take naps!
The things that have the strongest scent of you on them serve as happy reminders of their favorite people to your Labrador. Your dog might look for things that make them think of you, especially when you’re away from home, as a way to keep you close until you get back home. The scents that comfort and sooth labs may cause them to prefer sleeping on your bed (or underneath it).
If My Dog Is Sleeping Under The Bed, Should I Be Concerned?
There may not necessarily be a problem with your dog or its surroundings if they have suddenly changed their sleeping habits to include under the bed. It’s possible that your dog has just found a cozy new den to hang out in. It might, however, also be a sign of stress or illness in your dog.
Since your dog started hiding under the bed, consider whether anything has changed. When your dog hides under the bed, begin to pay attention and start taking notes. Take your dog to the veterinarian if there isn’t a clear cause.
How Am I Going To Prevent My Dog From Sleeping Under The Bed?
Finding the cause of the dog’s under-the-bed behavior and offering a remedy is necessary if you want to prevent your dog from doing so.
See The Vet
The first thing you’ll want to do is to go see a veterinarian if there isn’t a clear cause for your dog’s anxiety or any obvious changes in his or her life. To ascertain whether your dog is ill, your vet may perform tests or ask questions.
Let Your Dog A Crate
The American Humane Association claims that dogs without crates may use the space under furniture as a den.
When your dog needs some alone time or feels a little uneasy, a crate can offer them a private space to retreat to. A crate can perform the same purpose if your dog has started taking up residence under the bed. To make a wire crate feel more like a den, I like to cover it with a blanket and place blankets inside.
Your dog will start using the crate in place of your bed at night once it begins to regard it as a safe haven.
Apply Anti-anxiety Medication
Your veterinarian may suggest drugs or therapies to help with your dog’s stress if you’ve noticed that he or she is sleeping under the bed due to anxiety and stress.
Your veterinarian may advise the following medications as potential treatments:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine or clomipramine
- Selegiline (especially for older dogs)
- CBD oil
- Valerian root
- Natural therapies such as pheromones or aromatherapy
I’ve discovered that if I mix a little Rescue Remedy for Pets in some warm milk before a thunderstorm begins, my dog is much calmer and less likely to hide. Because it resembles a den, some dogs prefer to sleep underneath beds.
Read about: My Dog Keeps Hiccuping And Swallowing
Desensitization Training For Anxiety
Desensitization training can assist in calming your dog if it is anxious about a situation that won’t change (such as a new resident moving in). Desensitization training involves exposing your dog to the thing they’re afraid of in low-intensity, small-dose exposures.
Over time, anxiety can be overcome with repeated exposure to the cause and rewarding positive behavior. If your dog, for instance, receives a treat each time it thunders, the dog will begin to associate thunder with positive things. Two playful pups together! Both the Maltipoo and Cavapoo LOVE being around people
Give Them A Treat When They Come Out
Reward your dog when they sleep in their dog bed, in their crate, or when they curl up on the rug instead if they frequently spend time sleeping under the bed. It will turn that location into a source of comfort if it begins to associate that location with treats.
Is Sharing A Bed With Your Dog Bad?
Many people wonder if sleeping with a dog is a bad or unhygienic habit, but this isn’t always the case. Increased bonding between you and your dog results from sleeping together. Both the human and the dog become more relaxed as a result of the stronger bond and increased release of happy hormones. This sleep pattern shouldn’t be a concern as long as your pet is given the proper care in terms of hygiene. Whether your dog sleeps under your bed or not, you should make sure that your pup is following its deworming and vaccine schedule properly. Additionally, brushing its coat each day will aid in maintaining home cleanliness and prevent a buildup of hair under your bed.
If you notice that your dog likes to sleep under your bed and you don’t mind, you will need to reinforce the hygiene of this area, to avoid the accumulation of dust, impurities or mites. Additionally, it’s a good idea to make sure your room gets good lighting during the day and to regularly ventilate it (as well as the entire house). Keep in mind that environments with smoke, darkness, and poor hygiene encourage the growth of numerous allergens and/or pathogens, such as mites, bacteria, ticks, insects, fungi, etc.
You may experience negative effects if your dog’s movement keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep. For the body to stay energized and healthy, it requires at least 8 hours of sleep per night. It depends on the individual whether they can sleep soundly with their pets or not, as some find the dog’s movement to be disruptive.
However, some pet owners object to the idea of having their pets share a room. This is also not a bad thing. The only thing we you have to do, is make sure that your dog has its own bed in a safe environment. If you want your dog to sleep in its own bed, there are several different training techniques you can use.
Why Is My Dog Hiding Under The Bed?
If you recently adopted a puppy or adult dog and you notice that it is extremely frightened and hides for long periods of time, it may have experienced physical or emotional abuse. It is advisable in these situations to be aware of this kind of behavior and approach the situation with tact and patience. In addition, we recommend consulting an ethologist or dog educator to help carry out a process of re-socialization and reeducation based on specific guidelines.
On the other hand, some diseases can negatively impact the behavior of your dog. For example, a dog in a lot of pain or who feels very vulnerable may spend a lot of time hiding under the bed to shield itself from dangers in the environment. So don’t hesitate to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice changes in your dog’s behavior or sleeping habits.
Why Does My Dog Want To Sleep With Me?
Are you curious as to why your dog sleeps on your feet? pillow? on top of you, or literally? Your dog will always try to sleep close to you, as we previously mentioned. This helps it feel more secure. Knowing they can defend you makes dogs more at ease, and it also helps them to sleep more soundly and peacefully. Additionally, the release of happy endorphins while they are in their owner’s bed makes them feel happier and more at ease.
Conclusion
So, why does my dog sleep under my bed?
Because dogs are sensitive and compassionate animals, it is our responsibility as their owners to make sure they live happy, fulfilling lives. There is nothing wrong if your dog enjoys sleeping under the bed. Just make sure your dog isn’t avoiding life for some reason by staying in their hiding place under your bed.
